Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, business name, and contact details when you create an account
• Payment Information: Billing address and payment method details (processed securely through our payment processors)
• Website Content: Text, images, product information, and other content you upload to your cottage food website
• Communications: Messages you send us through support channels, feedback forms, or email
• Business Information: Details about your cottage food business, state location, and compliance requirements

Information We Collect Automatically

• Usage Data: How you interact with our platform, features used, and time spent
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address, and device identifiers
• Analytics Data: Website performance metrics, error logs, and usage patterns
• Cookies and Tracking: Session cookies for functionality and analytics cookies for service improvement

2. How We Use Your Information

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information only in these situations:

• Service Providers: Trusted third parties who help us operate our platform (hosting, payment processing, email delivery)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Business Protection: To protect our rights, prevent fraud, or ensure platform security
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (with advance notice)
• Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share information for specific purposes

Public Information

Content you publish on your cottage food website (product descriptions, business information, photos) will be publicly visible to your customers. You control what information is made public through your website settings.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

While we implement strong security measures, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We continuously work to improve our security practices and will notify you of any significant data breaches as required by law.

5. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@cottagecms.comor use the privacy controls in your account settings.

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience:

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for different periods based on its purpose:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 30 days after deletion
• Website Content: Stored while you maintain your website and included in account deletion
• Payment Records: Kept for 7 years for tax and legal compliance purposes
• Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; personal identifiers removed after 2 years
• Support Communications: Retained for 3 years to improve customer service

8. Children's Privacy

Cottage CMS is designed for cottage food entrepreneurs who are adults running businesses. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Users

Cottage CMS is based in the United States and our servers are located in the US. If you access our service from outside the US, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

We comply with applicable international privacy laws and provide appropriate protections for cross-border data transfers.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will:

• Notify you by email of significant changes
• Post the updated policy on our website with the effective date
• Continue to honor the policy that was in place when you provided your information
• Provide at least 30 days notice for material changes

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us: