Privacy Policy for Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank, LLC

Last Updated: April 30, 2025

This Privacy Policy for Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank, LLC (doing business as Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank, LLC) ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") describes how and why we collect, store, use, and/or share ("process") your personal information when you use our services ("Services"), such as when you:

  • Visit our website at www.apalacheeseptic.com, or any website of ours that links to this Privacy Policy.

  • Engage with us in other related ways, including sales, marketing, or events.

Your privacy is important to us. This policy complies with the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR), other Florida privacy laws, and applicable federal laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at:

Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank, LLC
4104 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32311
Email: office@apalacheeseptic.com
Phone: (850) 877-2824

1. What Information Do We Collect?

Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Request a quote, schedule a service, or contact us via forms or email.

  • Register for an account or newsletter.

  • Make payments for services.

Categories of Personal Information:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address.

  • Service Information: Details about your septic system, service requests, or property address.

  • Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely via third-party payment processors).

  • Account Information: Username, password (encrypted), or preferences if you create an account.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may collect technical information via cookies, web beacons, or analytics tools:

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type.

  • Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on the site, click patterns, referral URLs.

  • Location Information: Approximate location based on IP address (not precise geolocation).

Cookies: Cookies are small data files stored on your device to enhance user experience. We use:

  • Essential Cookies: For website functionality (e.g., session management).

  • Analytics Cookies: To analyze site performance (e.g., Google Analytics).

  • Marketing Cookies: For targeted ads (if applicable).

You can manage cookie preferences via our cookie consent banner. See Section 8 for details.

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

  • Service Providers: Payment processors, hosting providers, or marketing partners.

  • Public Sources: Business directories or public records (e.g., property records for service purposes).

Sensitive Personal Information

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information (e.g., racial or ethnic origins, health data, biometric data, or data from children under 13) unless required for service delivery and with your explicit consent. If you provide such data, we will process it in accordance with FDBR requirements.

Children’s Data

Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent, as required by COPPA. If we learn we have collected such data, we will delete it. Contact us if you believe we have collected a child’s data.

2. How Do We Process Your Information?

We process your information to:

  • Provide Services: Schedule septic services, process payments, and respond to inquiries.

  • Communicate: Send service confirmations, invoices, or marketing emails (with your consent).

  • Improve Our Website: Analyze usage data to enhance user experience and site performance.

  • Comply with Legal Obligations: Meet requirements under Florida and federal laws (e.g., tax reporting, public records).

  • Protect Security: Detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized access, or security threats.

We do not sell your personal information for targeted advertising or profiling without your explicit consent, as required by the FDBR.

3. What Legal Bases Do We Rely On?

We process your information based on:

  • Consent: When you provide explicit consent (e.g., for marketing emails or cookies).

  • Contractual Necessity: To fulfill service agreements (e.g., processing payment for septic services).

  • Legal Obligation: To comply with Florida and federal laws (e.g., FDBR, COPPA, tax laws).

  • Legitimate Interests: For improving our website, preventing fraud, or maintaining security, provided it does not override your rights.

4. When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information?

We share your information only in the following cases:

Third-Party Service Providers

We use trusted vendors to operate our website and services, who are contractually obligated to protect your data:

  • Payment Processors: To securely process payments (e.g., Stripe, PayPal).

  • Hosting Providers: To host our website and store data (e.g., Squarespace, Microsoft 365).

  • Analytics Providers: To analyze site usage (e.g., Google Analytics).

  • Marketing Tools: To send emails or manage campaigns (e.g., Mailchimp, with your consent).

Legal and Compliance Requirements

We may disclose your information:

  • To comply with Florida’s Public Records Law, which requires certain data (e.g., email addresses) to be available upon request unless exempt. We will notify you in advance if disclosure is required, per Florida law.

  • To meet federal laws, such as COPPA (children’s data) or GLBA (financial data).

  • In response to court orders, subpoenas, or law enforcement requests.

  • To protect the safety of individuals or property, as permitted by the FDBR.

Business Transfers

If Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank, LLC is sold or merged, your information may be transferred to the new entity, with notice to you and in compliance with applicable laws.

Categories of Third Parties

  • Service Providers: Hosting, payment, analytics, and marketing vendors.

  • Government Entities: When required by law or public records requests.

  • Professional Advisors: Lawyers or accountants for compliance purposes.

We do not share sensitive personal information (e.g., health, biometric data) without your explicit consent, as required by the FDBR.

5. Your Rights Under Florida and Federal Law

Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR)

As a Florida resident, you have the following rights regarding your personal information, subject to the FDBR’s applicability thresholds (e.g., applies to businesses with over $1 billion in revenue or specific tech operations, but we provide these rights to all users for transparency):

  • Right to Access: Confirm whether we process your personal data and access that data.

  • Right to Correction: Correct inaccurate or outdated personal data.

  • Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal exemptions.

  • Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal data, targeted advertising, or profiling (we do not engage in these without consent).

  • Right to Appeal: Appeal our refusal to act on your data rights request.

To exercise these rights, contact us at office@apalacheeseptic.com or (850) 877-2824. We will respond within 45 days, as required by the FDBR. You may need to verify your identity to process the request.

Other Florida Laws

  • Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA): We notify Florida residents of data breaches involving sensitive personal information (e.g., Social Security numbers) as required.

  • Florida Security of Communications Act (FSCA): We ensure website technologies (e.g., analytics) do not unlawfully intercept communications, following recent court interpretations.

Federal Laws

  • COPPA: We do not collect data from children under 13 without parental consent.

  • GLBA: If you provide financial information (e.g., for payments), we protect it under GLBA standards and disclose our practices clearly.

  • FTC Guidance: We follow FTC recommendations for transparent privacy policies and secure data handling.

6. How Do We Protect Your Information?

We implement reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your data, including:

  • Encryption: Secure transmission (SSL/TLS) and storage of sensitive data.

  • Access Controls: Limiting employee access to personal information.

  • Vendor Compliance: Ensuring third-party processors (e.g., GoDaddy, payment providers) meet FDBR and federal security standards.

However, no online system is 100% secure. In case of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals as required by FIPA and other applicable laws.

7. How Long Do We Keep Your Information?

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to:

  • Fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy (e.g., providing services, responding to inquiries).

  • Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax records, public records).

Under the FDBR, we delete personal data:

  • After satisfying the initial purpose (e.g., completing a service).

  • Upon contract termination (e.g., closing an account).

  • Two years after your last interaction with us, unless exempt (e.g., legal requirements).

You may request deletion earlier via your Right to Delete (see Section 5).

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. Our cookie consent banner allows you to:

  • Accept or reject non-essential cookies (e.g., analytics, marketing).

Types of Cookies:

  • Essential: Required for website functionality (cannot be disabled).

  • Analytics: Track site usage to improve performance (e.g., Google Analytics).

  • Marketing: Enable targeted ads (if applicable, with your consent).

Under the FDBR, you have the right to opt out of tracking for targeted advertising. We provide a clear opt-out mechanism in our cookie banner.

Do Not Track (DNT): Our website does not respond to DNT signals, as this is not mandatory under Florida or federal law, but you can manage tracking via cookie settings.

9. Third-Party Websites

Our website may link to third-party sites (e.g., payment processors, social media). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

10. Public Records Notice

Under Florida’s Public Records Law, certain information (e.g., email addresses provided to us) may be subject to public records requests unless exempt. We will notify you in advance if your information is requested, as required by law. If you do not want your email address disclosed, contact us by phone or in writing instead of email.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new Last Updated date. Check back periodically for updates.

12. How to Contact Us

For questions, data rights requests, or complaints, contact us at:

  • Email: office@apalacheeseptic.com

  • Phone: (850) 877-2824

  • Mail: Apalachee Backhoe & Septic Tank, LLC,
    4104 Apalachee Parkway,
    Tallahassee, FL 32311

If you are unsatisfied with our response to a data rights request, you may contact the Florida Department of Legal Affairs for enforcement under the FDBR. Note that the FDBR does not provide a private right of action.