Geo-Lens (“we”, “us”) is a research, evaluation, and consulting practice based in Calgary, Alberta. This policy explains what personal information we collect through this website (geo-lens.com), why we collect it, how we use and protect it, and the choices and rights you have. We handle personal information in accordance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), as applicable.
This policy covers the website only. Information we handle as part of client projects (for example, research or program data) is governed by our agreements with those clients.
What we collect and why
Information you give us. When you use our contact form, we collect your name, email address, organization, role, the type of project, your timeline, and your message. We use this only to respond to your enquiry and to discuss a potential or current engagement with you. If you book a call through our scheduling link, the booking service collects the details you enter there (such as your name, email, and preferred time) so we can hold the meeting. If you email us directly, we receive your email address and whatever you include in your message.
Information collected automatically. When you visit the site, some information is collected through cookies and similar technologies:
- Website analytics (Google Analytics). We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used: for example, which pages are visited, how visitors arrive, the type of device and browser, and approximate location (such as city or region). We use this in aggregate to improve the site. We do not use it to identify individual visitors.
- Advertising measurement (Google Ads). The site includes a Google Ads tag, which helps us measure whether our advertising leads to visits and enquiries (conversion tracking). We do not use it to show ads to people based on their visits to this site.
- Hosting and security logs. Like most websites, our hosting provider automatically records technical information such as IP address, browser type, and the time of each request, to operate and secure the site.
- Interactive maps. Pages with interactive maps load map tiles from Mapbox and map data from our own server. These requests include your IP address and basic browser information, which is needed to deliver the map.
We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for purposes other than those described here without your consent, unless required or permitted by law.
Consent
By submitting the contact form or booking a call, you consent to our collecting and using the information you provide for the purposes described above. By continuing to use the site, you consent to the use of analytics and advertising-measurement cookies as described in this policy; you can opt out at any time using the options below. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.
Cookies and your choices
- You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. The site will still work without them.
- You can stop Google Analytics from collecting your visits with the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- You can control personalized advertising from Google through Google’s ad settings.
- Google’s own use of data is described at How Google uses information from sites that use its services.
Service providers and storage outside Canada
We use trusted service providers to run the website and our communications. They process personal information on our behalf, only as needed to provide their services:
- Netlify: website hosting
- Formspree: contact form delivery
- Google: Google Analytics and Google Ads
- Calendly: call scheduling
- Mapbox: interactive map tiles
- DigitalOcean: hosting for our map data server
- Our email provider, for messages you send us
Some of these providers store or process information outside Canada, including in the United States. While it is there, it is subject to the laws of that country, and may be accessible to courts, law enforcement, and national security authorities there. You can request written information about our policies and practices regarding service providers outside Canada, and ask questions about how they collect, use, disclose, or store personal information for us, by contacting our privacy contact below.
How long we keep information
We keep contact form submissions and related correspondence for up to one year after our last contact with you, unless you become a client, in which case records are kept as required by our client agreements and legal obligations. Google Analytics keeps event-level data for two months, after which it is deleted automatically; aggregated reports that do not identify individuals may be kept longer. When information is no longer needed, we delete it or make it anonymous.
How we protect information
We use reasonable safeguards to protect personal information, including encrypted (HTTPS) connections to this website, access to enquiries limited to the people who need it, and service providers that maintain their own security programs. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your information and will notify you and the relevant authorities of a privacy breach where the law requires it.
Your rights
You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or withdraw your consent to its use. To make a request, contact our privacy contact below. We will respond within the time required by law, and we may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.
Privacy contact and complaints
Questions, requests, or concerns about privacy can be sent to our privacy contact:
Chantal Hansen, Founder & Principal Consultant
Geo-Lens, Calgary, Alberta
chantal@geo-lens.com
If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Children
This website is intended for organizations and professionals. It is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page shows when it was last changed. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page.