Privacy Policy
Last Updated: March 2026
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) explains how Oyster South (referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Organization”) collects, uses, discloses, and otherwise processes personal information through our website and online services related to the southern oyster aquaculture industry. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our site.
This Policy applies to all visitors and members who access our website, sign up for memberships, make purchases through our online shop, or interact with our organization online.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
Signup and Membership Forms - Name, email address, phone number - Company or organization name - Business address and location - Industry role and experience level - Membership preferences and interests
Online Shop and Transactions - Billing name, address, and email - Shipping address - Phone number - Payment information (processed securely through our payment provider) - Purchase history and preferences
Communications - Information provided in support requests, surveys, or feedback forms - Email correspondence - Event registration information
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
Browsing and Usage Data - IP address and device identifier - Browser type and operating system - Pages visited and time spent on our site - Referring website or search terms used - Links clicked and actions taken - Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet)
Location Data - General geographic location (city/state level) derived from IP address - Specific location only if you grant permission
Cookies and Tracking Technologies - Session cookies (temporary, deleted when you close your browser) - Persistent cookies (stored on your device for extended periods) - Web beacons and similar tracking pixels - Analytics cookies to understand site usage patterns
We use these technologies to: - Remember your preferences and login information - Understand how members use our site - Improve our website functionality - Track marketing campaign effectiveness - Provide personalized experiences
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Essential Operations - Manage your membership account and provide access to member benefits - Process online shop transactions and deliver products - Send transactional emails (order confirmations, shipping updates, etc.) - Respond to your inquiries and support requests - Verify your identity and prevent fraud
Membership Services - Deliver membership benefits and resources - Send membership renewal reminders - Communicate important organization updates - Facilitate networking among members - Conduct surveys to improve our services
Marketing and Communications - Send newsletters and updates about industry news - Inform you of new products, services, or events - Promote membership benefits and special offers - Conduct marketing analytics to improve our outreach - Solicit feedback on our services
Legal and Safety - Comply with legal obligations and regulations - Prevent fraud and enforce our terms of service - Protect the rights and safety of our organization and members - Respond to lawful government requests
Analytics and Improvement - Analyze website usage patterns - Identify technical issues and improve site performance - Enhance user experience and navigation - Understand member needs and preferences
4. How We Share Your Information
4.1 Information We Do NOT Share
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
4.2 Information We May Share
Service Providers We share information with vendors who assist us in operating our website and conducting business, including: - Payment processors (for secure transaction processing) - Email service providers (for newsletter and communications) - Website hosting and analytics providers - Shipping and fulfillment services - Customer support platforms
These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes we specify and to maintain the confidentiality of your information.
Legal Requirements We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to a valid legal request, such as a subpoena, court order, or government investigation.
Business Transitions If our organization is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, bankruptcy, or other business transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will provide notice before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
Member Directory (Opt-In) With your consent, we may include your name, title, organization, and contact information in a member directory accessible to other members. You can control this preference in your account settings.
4.3 Third-Party Links and Services
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms and other external services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before sharing your information.
5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
5.1 Access and Correction
You have the right to: - Access the personal information we hold about you - Request correction of inaccurate information - Request an updated copy of your information
To exercise these rights, contact us using the information provided in Section 10.
5.2 Marketing Communications
You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by: - Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email newsletter - Updating your preferences in your account settings - Contacting us directly
Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we will continue to send you transactional emails related to your membership and purchases.
5.3 Cookies and Tracking
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically: - Delete cookies that have already been set - Prevent your browser from accepting new cookies - Enable “Do Not Track” features (if available)
However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website and your user experience.
5.4 California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including: - Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared - Right to delete personal information collected from you - Right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of your personal information - Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights
To submit a request, contact us at the address in Section 10. We will respond within 45 days.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy. Retention periods vary based on the type of information:
Membership Information - Retained for the duration of your membership plus 3 years for record-keeping purposes - Longer retention may be required for legal or tax obligations
Transaction and Payment Information - Retained for 7 years for financial and tax compliance - Processed payments are securely deleted after the transaction period
Browsing and Usage Data - Retained for up to 24 months for analytics purposes - Automatically deleted when no longer needed
Marketing Information - Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.
7. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
• Secure sockets layer (SSL/TLS) encryption for data transmission
• Encrypted storage of sensitive information (passwords, payment data)
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Restricted access to personal information based on job functions
• Employee confidentiality agreements and privacy training
• Secure disposal procedures for physical records
However, no security system is completely impenetrable. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your passwords and account credentials.
8. Third-Party Analytics and Advertising
8.1 Analytics
We use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our website. These services may collect information about: - Pages visited and actions taken - Time spent on our site - Traffic sources and user flows - Geographic and demographic information
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
8.2 Advertising and Retargeting
We may use advertising services to display relevant content to you across the web. This may include: - Retargeting ads showing products or content you viewed on our site - Interest-based advertising based on your browsing behavior - Social media advertising to promote our organization
You can manage your advertising preferences through: - Your browser’s privacy settings - Opt-out tools provided by advertising networks - Social media platform privacy settings
9. Children’s Privacy
Our website and services are not directed toward children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that a child has provided personal information without parental consent, we will delete such information promptly. Parents who believe their child has provided information should contact us immediately.
For children between 13 and 18, parental guidance is recommended before providing personal information online.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Oyster South
Email: slurp@oystersouth.com
Mailing Address: Oyster South, 303 East Howard Avenue, Decatur, GA, 30030
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by: - Posting the updated Policy on our website - Updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this Policy - Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)
Your continued use of our website after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
12. Additional Information for Specific Users
12.1 EU Visitors
While our organization is based in the United States, if you are located in the European Union, you may have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including rights to access, rectification, erasure, and data portability. We process EU residents’ information in compliance with GDPR principles.
12.1 Canadian Users
If you are a Canadian resident, we comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in our handling of your personal information.
13. Accessibility
This Privacy Policy is available in an accessible format. If you require accommodations to understand this policy, please contact us.
Your privacy is important to us. Thank you for being part of the southern oyster aquaculture community.