This Policy was last reviewed and updated on 08/12/2025.
ARF DC Sebouh (“we,” “us,” “our”) commits to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share personal information from visitors and users of arfdc.org.
ARF DC Sebouh is based in the United States. This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with applicable U.S. state privacy laws including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), and others.
Who We Are
Our website address is: https://arfdc.org.
Mailing Address: ARF DC Sebouh, 4906 Flint Dr, Bethesda, MD 20816, USA
What Is Personal Information?
“Personal Information” means any information that can be used to identify, contact, or locate an individual directly or indirectly.
What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of personal information. Each category includes its business purpose and the legal basis for processing under applicable U.S. privacy laws, including the CCPA/CPRA and CalOPPA.
Contact and Identity Data
- Examples: Name, email address, phone number, physical address.
- Business Purpose: Communicate with users, respond to inquiries, manage user accounts, send physical mail when needed.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Identifiers.
Account Data
- Examples: Username, encrypted password, profile photo.
- Business Purpose: Account creation, login, personalization.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Identifiers.
Payment and Transaction Data
- Examples: Payment method, donation details, transaction history.
- Business Purpose: Process donations, purchases, and refunds.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Commercial and financial data.
Technical Data
- Examples: IP address, browser type, operating system, device info.
- Business Purpose: Website security, troubleshooting, performance monitoring.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Internet/network activity.
Analytics Data
- Examples: Data collected through Google Analytics, Site Kit, and Jetpack.
- Business Purpose: To understand user behavior, improve website performance and content, and optimize user experience.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Internet/network activity.
Comments and Form Submissions
- Examples: User-submitted text (comments and form inputs), name, email, comment content, metadata such as IP address, browser user agent, and Gravatar hash.
- Business Purpose: To publish and manage user-generated comments and form submissions, detect spam and abuse, and provide support and communication.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: User-generated content.
Newsletter and Mailing Preferences
- Examples: Email address, subscription status, preferences.
- Business Purpose: To send newsletters, updates, and campaigns.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Commercial communications.
Uploaded Media and Content
- Examples: Files uploaded by users (e.g., images, PDFs, documents), which may include embedded metadata such as EXIF GPS location, filenames, and other associated data.
- Business Purpose: To allow users to share media and content in relevant areas (e.g., comments, profiles, submission forms), display user contributions, fulfill service-related requests, and support advertising or listing submissions.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: User-generated content, identifiers, internet or network activity, geolocation data (if embedded in media).
Embedded Content (e.g., YouTube videos, Instagram posts, calendars, Google Maps)
- Examples: Third parties collect data such as usage data, cookies, IP addresses, and potentially account-linked activity when users log in to their services.
- Business Purpose: Enhance user experience and site functionality.
- Legal Basis:
- Under U.S. laws such as CPRA and CalOPPA: Internet activity, third-party cookies.
We may collect your IP address, which can be used to infer your approximate location. This data may therefore be processed by third-party services such as Google Analytics (for analytics and performance monitoring) and Wordfence (for security and fraud prevention).
Additionally, when you use features powered by the Google Maps Platform on our site, your use is subject to Google’s Terms of Service.
By using these features, you agree to be bound by those terms.
How We Collect Your Information
We collect your data through the following:
- Forms, emails, phone calls
- Newsletter sign-ups
- Volunteer and donation submissions
- Automatically via cookies and analytics tools
- From integrated third-party platforms
Cookies and Tracking
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Specifically, these technologies help us personalize content, analyze traffic, support essential site features, and enable certain marketing or social media integrations.
Furthermore, some cookies are necessary for basic website functionality, whereas others are used to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs. Importantly, we only use non-essential cookies with your consent.
Additionally, you can manage your cookie preferences or withdraw consent at any time through our Opt-Out Preferences page, where you can also opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information and limit the use of sensitive data, as provided under U.S. state privacy laws.
However, please note that not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect certain features and functionality of the website.
For more details, and to learn about the types of cookies we use and how to manage them, please visit our Opt-Out Preferences page.
How We Use Your Information
We may use your personal information to:
- Process payments, donations, and ticket orders
- Respond to questions, messages, and support requests
- Manage user accounts and provide personalized experiences
- Send newsletters, updates, and event announcements
- Analyze and improve website performance, security, and functionality
- Detect and prevent fraud, spam, or abuse
- Comply with legal, tax, and administrative obligations
- Conduct marketing, outreach, and research
- Manage internal business operations
Sharing Your Data
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share your information with third parties, including but not limited to:
- Payment processors.
- Email and newsletter services.
- Analytics providers.
- Marketing and advertising partners.
- Web hosting providers, technical vendors, and cloud services.
- Professional advisors.
- Security and spam protection services.
Password Reset Requests:
If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.
Google Analytics Opt-Out
We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our site.
Please note that you may opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.
Direct Marketing Communications
We send newsletters, marketing, or event-related emails only if you’ve opted in. Moreover, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the email or by contacting us directly.
Online Behavioral Advertising
We may participate in interest-based or retargeted advertising through third-party platforms. Consequently, this means you may see ads based on your interactions with our website or similar websites.
Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature. Our website does not respond to DNT signals due to a lack of industry standards.
Data Retention
We retain personal information associated with user accounts and transactions for as long as the account remains active. Specifically, this includes information you provide when creating an account through WooCommerce, such as your name, address, contact details, and order history.
If you close or delete your account, we will retain certain personal information for a period of 12 months thereafter. This retention period allows us to comply with legal and tax obligations, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, and enforce our terms and agreements.
Additionally, comments and metadata (such as IP addresses and browser information) are retained indefinitely to help recognize and manage follow-up comments and prevent spam.
Once this retention period expires, we securely delete or anonymize your personal information so that it can no longer be linked to you.
For other information collected through contact forms, volunteer forms, newsletters, or other interactions without an account, we retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purpose collected or as required by law.
Reviewing, Updating, or Deleting Your Information
You can review, update, or delete your personal information (except where retention is required by law or for legitimate security purposes):
- By logging into your account (if applicable)
- By contacting us directly at info@arfdc.org
Newsletter subscribers, commenters, volunteers, or any user may also request access, correction, or deletion of their personal information by contacting us.
Your Rights
If you have an account or have left comments, you may request:
- A copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Deletion of your personal information, subject to legal or security exceptions
Under U.S. privacy laws (such as CPRA for California residents), you may:
- Know what personal information is collected and why
- Access or delete personal information
- Correct inaccurate personal information
- Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information
- Limit the use of sensitive personal information
- You will not be discriminated against for exercising these rights
Note for international users: If you are located in the European Union, your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may include access, correction, deletion, data portability, and the right to object or restrict processing.
Furthermore, to request access, deletion, or opt-out, email us at info@arfdc.org.
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal data using:
- Encryption and secure connections
- Firewalls and access controls
- Regular updates and software patches
However, no system can be guaranteed 100% secure.
International Data Transfers
If you access our site from outside the United States, your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States under U.S. laws.
Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verified parental consent. Furthermore, our youth materials are intended for parents and guardians to share with their children.
Google Fonts
This site uses Google Fonts, which may collect your IP address when loading typefaces.
To learn more: please visit the Google Fonts FAQ and the Google Privacy Policy
Google Maps Platform APIs
Our website uses Google Maps Platform APIs, which may collect certain information from you when you interact with embedded maps or location services. This information may include your IP address, device information, and location data. The collection and use of this data is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy.
By using our website features that incorporate Google Maps, you consent to the processing of your data by Google in accordance with their policies. We do not control how Google collects or processes this information, but we encourage you to review Google’s privacy practices.
Tax Deductibility of Donations
Donations to ARF DC Sebouh may be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor for specific guidance.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to other websites. However, we are not responsible for their privacy practices. Therefore, please review their privacy policies carefully before providing any information.
How to Make a Complaint
If you have questions or concerns about your privacy, please contact us at info@arfdc.org. We will respond promptly and work to resolve any issues.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. All changes will be posted on this page.
Please note that continued use of the site after any updates constitutes acceptance of those changes.
Contact Us
Email: info@arfdc.org
Website: https://arfdc.org/contact-us/
Mailing Address:
ARF DC Sebouh
4906 Flint Dr
Bethesda, MD 20816
USA
By using our site and managing your preferences here, you also agree to our Terms and Conditions.
To learn about our use of cookies and tracking technologies, please see our Opt-Out Preferences.
Additionally, for information about refunds, returns, and cancellations, please see our Refund and Return Policy.
