Privacy Policy
Last revised: January 10, 2021
HomeBert Inc. and our corporate affiliates (variously referred to as “HomeBert”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respect your privacy. This privacy policy (this “Privacy Policy”) describes the manner in which we collect, use, disclose, and protect the personal information of our customers, application users and website users (“you”). This Privacy Policy applies to the personal information we collect through your use of the HomeBert App or the HomeBert website at www.homebert.com (jointly, the “Platform”), through your interactions with our advertisements on third-party websites or that you otherwise provide us.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand our policies and practices for collecting, processing, and disclosing your information. We will only use your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy except where otherwise permitted or required by applicable law. By visiting our Platform or providing us with personal information, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy is to be read in conjunction with the HomeBert Terms of Service located at www.homebert.com/terms-of-service (the “Agreement”) and are incorporated by reference therein. Undefined capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings as such terms are given in the Agreement.
1. What Information Does HomeBert Collect?
The types of information we collect depends on the nature of your interaction with us. We may collect and use several types of information from and about you, including:
Personal information. Privacy laws in Canada generally define “personal information” as any information about an identifiable individual, which includes information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person. Personal information may be collected online when you voluntarily register with us or update your existing profile with us, purchase products or services, sign up for newsletters or emails, use chat or telecommunication features, enter contests or other promotional opportunities or interact with our advertising on third-party websites. Here are the types of personal information we may collect when you navigate the Platform:
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Contact information. For example, your name, postal address, telephone number, email address and login credentials. In certain circumstances, we may request a video call during which we may request to verify your identification with a driver’s license or similar card and to verify your credit card.
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Your personal preferences. For example, product preferences based on previous transactions and page interaction information (including the timing, frequency and pattern of use) and marketing consent.
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Your transaction information. For example, products and services purchased, delivery addresses, methods of payment, amounts paid and card details.
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Technical information. For example, IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating systems and platforms, referral source, length of visit on the Platform, page views and website navigation paths.
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Other information you provide us. For example, information contained in or relating to any communication that you send to us or send through the Platform (including the communication content and metadata associated with the communication) or any other personal information that you choose to send to us.
Non-personal information. HomeBert also creates and collects “non-personal information.” This is information that is not associated with or linked to your personal information, including information that has been aggregated or otherwise anonymized so that it no longer relates to an identifiable individual. HomeBert may use, disclose, transfer, and retain non-personal information for any purpose and in any manner whatsoever. If non-personal information is combined with personal information, then the non-personal information will be treated as personal information for the purposes of this Privacy Policy.
2. How does HomeBert Collect Information?
HomeBert uses different methods to collect your information, including through:
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Direct Interactions with You. We collect information you directly provide us by, for example, filling in forms or corresponding with us by email.
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Provision of Services. A HomeBert Service Technician or a HomeBert Service Professional may collect information in the normal course of providing a Plan Service or a Third-Party Service, as applicable. In particular, they may take a photograph of the outside of your residence to evidence their arrival or of the work completed for internal reporting purposes or marketing purposes. Such photographs will not contain the image of any person or any personal information without such person’s consent.
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Cookies. The Platform uses “cookies”, a tiny element of data that our Platform sends to your browser, which may then be stored in a small file placed on the hard drive of your computer to recognize future visits using that browser. Cookies enhance the convenience and use of the Platform. For example, the information provided through cookies is used to recognize you as a previous user of the website, to offer personalized web page content and to track your activity on the website (such as the items in your shopping cart). Our Platform will automatically issue cookies when you visit our Platform unless you adjust the applicable settings on your browser to refuse cookies. However, if you refuse to accept cookies, you may be unable to access certain parts of our website.
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Website Tracking Tools. We may use web beacons or pixel tags to compile statistical information, for example, regarding website user demographics, preferences and traffic patterns.
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Social Networking Platforms. We may offer you the opportunity to engage with our content on or through third-party social networking websites, plug-ins, and applications. When you engage with our content on or through third-party social networking websites, plug-ins, and applications, you may allow us to have access to certain information associated with your social media account (for example: name, username, email address, profile picture, gender) to deliver the content or as part of the operation of the website, plug-in or application.
3. Interest-Based (behavioural) Advertising and Third Parties
Interest-Based (behavioural) Advertising. We or third parties such as ad networks and other advertising companies may serve advertisements on the Platform and on other websites. We or those third parties may use cookies, tracer tags or web beacons to report certain information about your visits to the Platform and other websites, such as web pages you visit and your responses to ads, in order to measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns, better understand our users and to deliver ads that are more relevant to you, both on and off the Platform. You can opt-out of having your information used by participating companies for online behavioural advertising purposes by using the opt-out tool created by the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada or the opt-out tool created by the Network Advertising Initiative. Please note that if you choose to opt-out you must opt-out on each web browser on each computer, mobile device and tablet you use. If you opt-out of receiving interest-based ads, you will continue to receive ads, but they will not be tailored to you.
Analytics. The Platform uses web analytics services such as Google Analytics. Such service providers use cookies to help us analyze how visitors use the Platform. For example, with Google Analytics, the information generated by the cookie about your use of the Platform (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored on a Google server. Google uses this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the Platform, compiling reports on Platform activity for us and providing us with other services relating to Platform activity and internet usage. You can prevent the storage of data relating to your use of the Platform (including your IP address) by Google, as well as the processing of this data by Google, by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en. You can also obtain additional information on Google Analytics’ collection and processing of data and data privacy and security at the following links:
Links to Third Party Websites. Our website may contain links to other third-party websites or internet resources which are provided solely for your convenience and information. As will be evident, when you click on one of those links, you will be leaving HomeBert’s Platform and going to the third party’s website. Any information provided to such third party is governed by their privacy policies, which you may read on the applicable site. HomeBert has no responsibility or liability for, or control over, the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information by those third-party websites or internet resources.
4. For What Purposes Does HomeBert Use Personal Information?
We use your personal information to operate, provide, develop, and improve our products and services, including in connection with:
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Account management. We use your personal information to verify your identity and manage your account.
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Purchase and delivery of products and services. We use your personal information to take and handle orders, deliver products and services, process payments and communicate with you about your orders, products, services and promotional offers.
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Recommendations and personalization. We use your personal information to recommend features, products, and services that might be of interest to you, identify your preferences and personalize your experience with the Platform.
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Improve HomeBert. We use your personal information to operate, evaluate and improve our business, including to provide functionality, analyze performance, fix errors, and improve the usability and effectiveness of the Platform.
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Interest-Based (behavioural) Advertising. We may use your personal information in connection with Interest-Based (behavioural) Advertising. For more information, see “3. Interest-Based (behavioural) Advertising and Third Parties”.
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Employment. HomeBert may use and disclose your personal information to administer and process your application for employment with HomeBert and related matters.
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Other. We may use your personal information as required or permitted by applicable law, to prevent fraud or criminal activity, to protect or enforce the rights of HomeBert and to safeguard the security of our customers, HomeBert and others.
5. How HomeBert Shares Personal Information
HomeBert does not sell our customers’ personal information to any other party. However, in the normal course of business, we may share some of your personal information for our legitimate business purposes and as required or permitted by law, including:
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With affiliates. HomeBert may share personal information amongst our corporate affiliates.
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With HomeBert Service Professionals. When you make a Request for a Third-Party Service through the Platform, we forward certain aspects of the information you provide to the relevant HomeBert Service Professional to assess your Request and enable them to provide the Third-Party Service. We have entered into arrangements with HomeBert Service Professionals to ensure that they respect your privacy in a manner consistent with this Privacy Policy.
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With suppliers and service providers. HomeBert may disclose your personal information to HomeBert’s suppliers and service providers who perform services on our behalf such as the provision of payment processing services, customer communications, data processing, data management, advertising, marketing or fraud detection. When we do use an outside company, we use contractual or other appropriate means to ensure that your personal information is used in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy.
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With Advertisers. HomeBert may disclose aggregated information to advertising networks that require the information to select and serve relevant advertisements to you and others. We do not disclose data about identifiable individuals to advertising networks, but we may provide them with aggregate information about our users. For more information, see “3. Interest-Based (behavioural) Advertising and Third Parties”.
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To facilitate product safety recalls. In the event we receive notice from a manufacturer of a product safety recall, we may provide your contact information, limited to name, address, and telephone number, to the manufacturer so that they may notify you of the recall and supply details of any replacement or repair programs. This transfer or your contact information will occur only for recalls that may impact your personal safety or impair the functionality of the product you purchased from us.
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With any successor to all or part of our business. HomeBert may disclose your personal information in connection with a proposed or actual business transaction, such as a corporate reorganization, merger or acquisition, or the sale of some or all of HomeBert’s business or assets (including in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding), but HomeBert will require that the information recipient agree to protect the privacy of your personal information in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy.
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With legal authorities. HomeBert and its service providers may disclose your information as permitted or required to comply with any court order, law, or legal process, including to respond to any government or regulatory request, in accordance with applicable law.
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Other. We may disclose your personal information as required or permitted by applicable law, to prevent fraud or criminal activity, to protect the rights and interests of HomeBert and to safeguard the security of our customers, HomeBert and others.
All our Platform financial transactions are handled through our payment services provider, Moneris Solutions. You can review the provider’s privacy policy at https://stripe.com/en-ca/privacy. We will share information with our payment services provider only to the extent necessary for the purposes of processing payments you make via the Platform, refunding such payments and dealing with complaints and queries relating to such payments and refunds.
6. Retention, Location, and Protection of Personal Information
HomeBert retains your personal information for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or such longer retention period as may be required or permitted by applicable legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Under some circumstances, we may anonymize your personal information so that it can no longer be associated with you. We reserve the right to use such anonymous and de-identified data for any legitimate business purpose without further notice to you or your consent.
We may process, store, and transfer your personal information in and to a foreign country, such as the United States, with different privacy laws that may or may not be as comprehensive as Canadian law. In these circumstances, law enforcement or regulatory agencies of that country may be able to obtain access to your personal information in accordance with the laws of the foreign country. Whenever we engage a service provider, we require that its privacy and security standards be at least substantially equivalent to this Privacy Policy and applicable Canadian privacy legislation.
HomeBert employs safeguards, including organizational, technical, and physical measures, appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information in its possession or under its control to protect that information from unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, disposal or similar risks. [For example, we store all the personal information you provide on our secure (password- and firewall-protected) servers and all electronic financial transactions entered through our application are protected by encryption technology.] While HomeBert uses reasonable efforts to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and therefore, HomeBert cannot guarantee absolute security of your personal information.
7. Are Children Allowed to Use HomeBert?
The HomeBert Platform is not intended for persons under 18 years of age or the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside. No one under age 18 or the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside may provide any information to or on the Platform. If you are under age 18 or the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which you reside, do not use or provide any information on the Platform. If we learn that we have collected or received personal information from a person under age 18 or the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside, we will delete that information. If you believe we might have any information from or about a child under age 18 or the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside, please contact us using the information provided below under “10. Contact Us”.
8. Accuracy, Access to Personal Information and Withdrawing Consent
By law you have the right to request access to and to correct the personal information that we hold about you. You may review, verify or correct your HomeBert account information through HomeBert’s Platform. You may also contact us using the information provided below under “10. Contact Us” to request access to, correct, or delete any personal information that you have provided to us.
We may request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and your right to access and provide you with the personal information that we hold about you or make your requested changes. Applicable law may allow or require us to refuse to provide you with access to some or all of the personal information that we hold about you, or we may have destroyed, erased, or made your personal information anonymous in accordance with our record retention obligations and practices. If we cannot provide you with access to your personal information, we will inform you of the reasons why, subject to any legal or regulatory restrictions. Examples of such exceptions include: information protected by solicitor-client privilege, information that is part of a formal dispute resolution process, information that is about another individual that would reveal their personal information or confidential commercial information or information that is prohibitively expensive to provide.
Where you have provided your consent to the collection, use, and transfer of your personal information, you may have the legal right to withdraw your consent under certain circumstances. To withdraw your consent, if applicable, contact us using the information provided below under “10. Contact Us”. Please note that if you withdraw your consent we may not be able to provide you with a particular product or service.
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
It is our policy to post any changes we make to our Privacy Policy on this page. If we make material changes to how we treat our users’ personal information, we will notify you by email to the email address specified in your account or through a notice on the Platform home page.
We include the date this Privacy Policy was last revised at the top of the page. You are responsible for ensuring we have an up-to-date, active, and deliverable email address for you and for periodically visiting our Platform and this Privacy Policy to check for any changes.
10. Contact Us
If you have additional questions regarding this Privacy Policy, you can call us at 1.416.986.4617 or reach us by email at info@homebert.com
You can write to us at:
HomeBert Inc.
1695 Caverly Court
Mississauga, ON
L5L 3L7