Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy - Hoot Innovation Hub

Last Updated: April 11, 2024

1. Who We Are

This Privacy Policy explains how Hoot Innovation Hub ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards your information when you visit our website. Our website address is: https://hootlegal.com.

Hoot Innovation Hub is based in Dubai, UAE. Our contact information is provided at the end of this policy. We are committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy in compliance with applicable laws, including the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 regarding the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL) and principles aligned with international standards like the GDPR where applicable.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

Note: This policy applies primarily to information collected through our Site. Information provided by clients during the course of legal engagement is subject to separate terms, confidentiality obligations, and professional duties.

2. What Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It

We collect personal data you voluntarily provide and data generated through technical processes when you interact with our Site.

2.1 Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.

2.2 Contact Forms

When you submit information through a contact form on our Site, we collect the personal data you provide (such as name, email, phone number, message content) solely to respond to your inquiry or request. We retain these submissions for a reasonable period for customer service purposes and record-keeping, and do not typically use this information for marketing unless separate consent is given.

2.3 Cookies

We use cookies (small data files stored on your device) and similar technologies to operate the site, enhance your experience, and analyze site usage. This includes essential cookies for site functionality and potentially analytics or preference cookies.

If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

If you visit our login page (if applicable), we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

When you log in (if applicable), we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.

If you edit or publish an article (as an editor/author), an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.

For a detailed list of cookies we use and their purposes, please see our separate Cookie Policy here. You can manage your consent for non-essential cookies via our cookie banner.

2.4 Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, maps). This content behaves as if you visited the other website directly, and those sites may collect data, use cookies, or track your interaction according to their own privacy policies, which we recommend you review.

2.5 Analytics

We may use analytics tools (which could include server logs or third-party services like Google Analytics) to collect general, often anonymized or aggregated information about site usage (like pages visited, browser type, IP address region) to understand traffic patterns and improve the Site. Specific details and opt-out options, if applicable, are available in our Cookie Policy or consent banner settings.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected primarily to:

  • Respond to your inquiries submitted via contact forms.
  • Manage and display comments submitted by users.
  • Operate, maintain, and secure our website.
  • Analyze usage to improve the Site and our services (generally using aggregated/anonymized data).
  • Comply with legal obligations (e.g., spam detection).

4. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We process your personal data based on:

  • Consent: For actions like submitting a contact form, leaving a comment (implied consent by submitting), or agreeing to non-essential cookies.
  • Legitimate Interests: For operating/securing the website, spam detection, and analyzing general usage patterns.
  • Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws.

5. Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell your personal information. We only share data with essential third-party service providers necessary for operating our Site, such as our website hosting provider and potentially standard technical service providers (e.g., spam detection services like Akismet if used for comments, analytics providers). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.

Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.

We may also disclose data if required by law or legal process, or in the context of a business transfer (e.g., merger or acquisition).

6. How Long We Retain Your Data

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected.

  • Comments: If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
  • Contact Form Submissions: We retain entries for a reasonable period to manage inquiries.
  • Analytics Records: Retention periods vary but data is often anonymized or aggregated over time.
  • User Profiles (If Applicable): For registered users, profile information is kept as long as the account is active.

7. What Rights You Have Over Your Data

Under UAE PDPL and other applicable laws, you have rights including:

  • Accessing your data.
  • Correcting inaccurate data.
  • Requesting erasure of your data (subject to legal exceptions, e.g., comments might be retained).
  • Restricting or objecting to processing under certain conditions.
  • Withdrawing consent where applicable.
  • Lodging a complaint with the relevant data protection authority.

If you have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.

8. Where Your Data Is Sent (International Transfers)

Our website hosting servers or other third-party services (like spam detection or analytics providers) may be located outside the UAE. If your data is transferred internationally, we take steps to ensure it receives adequate protection in line with UAE and applicable international standards.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Site is not intended for individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect their data.

10. Links to Other Websites

Our Site may link to external sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Changes will be posted here with an updated "Last Updated" date.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:

13. Additional Information

13.1 How We Protect Your Data

We implement reasonable technical and organizational security measures appropriate to the nature of the data processed via the Site.

13.2 Data Breach Procedures

We have procedures to address potential data breaches, including assessment and notification where legally required.

13.3 Industry Regulatory Disclosure Requirements

As a legal advisory firm operating within specific regulatory frameworks (including those governing legal practice in the UAE and DIFC), Hoot Innovation Hub adheres to professional conduct rules, confidentiality obligations, and other industry-specific regulations applicable to our services. Our data handling practices reflect these professional standards.

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