At The FORTLAGE Collective, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal data responsibly.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal data when you use our website, communicate with us or engage our services. We process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and, where applicable, other relevant data protection legislation.

 

Who We Are

The FORTLAGE Collective is responsible for determining how and why personal data covered by this policy is processed.

For questions about this policy or the way we handle your personal data, please contact:

cynthiafortlage@cynthiafortlage.com

 

Information We Collect

We may collect personal data in several ways.

 

Information You Provide

This may include:

• Your name and contact details.

• Information you provide when making an enquiry, booking a meeting, subscribing to communications or engaging our services.

• Billing or transaction information where you purchase services.

• Information you choose to provide during correspondence or professional engagements.

 

We use this information to provide services, respond to enquiries, manage relationships, administer bookings and transactions, and communicate with you where appropriate.

 

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected through cookies and similar technologies, including:

• IP address.

• Browser and device information.

• Website usage and interaction data.

• Security and performance information.

 

This information may be used to maintain website security, understand how the website is used and improve its functionality and performance.

 

Our Lawful Bases for Processing

Depending on the circumstances, we may process personal data because:

• You have given consent, for example where you choose to receive certain marketing communications.

• Processing is necessary for a contract, or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract.

• We have a legal obligation to retain or process certain information.

• We have legitimate interests in operating and improving our business, responding to enquiries, maintaining professional relationships, protecting our systems and understanding how our services are used, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.

 

Where consent is the lawful basis, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

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Marketing Communications

Where permitted by law, we may contact you about services, publications, events or other activities that may be relevant to you.

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Where consent is required, we will only send such communications where you have actively opted in.

 

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe mechanism provided or by contacting us directly.

 

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website is hosted by Wix.com and may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security, analytics and user preferences.

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Cookies that are strictly necessary may operate without consent where permitted by law. Where non-essential cookies or similar tracking technologies require consent, they will only be activated after you have provided the appropriate consent through the website's cookie controls.

 

You can review or change your cookie preferences through the cookie controls available on the website.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The FORTLAGE Collective may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of our work, including research assistance, ideation, drafting, editing, analysis, organisation and refinement of written or creative material.

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AI is used as an assistive tool within a human-led process. The ideas, perspectives, intellectual frameworks, professional judgement and original content developed by Cynthia Fortlage and The FORTLAGE Collective remain our own. AI tools may assist in developing or reviewing material, but final editorial judgement, accuracy, interpretation and responsibility remain with us.

 

Where AI tools are used in connection with personal or client information, we take appropriate steps to protect privacy and confidentiality and to comply with applicable data protection requirements.

 

We do not use AI to make solely automated decisions about individuals that produce legal or similarly significant effects.

 

As AI technologies and their regulation continue to evolve, we will review our use of these tools and update our practices where appropriate.

 

Sharing Personal Data

We may use trusted third-party service providers to help operate our website and business. These may include providers of:

• Website hosting and administration.

• Email and communications.

• Scheduling and meeting services.

• Payment processing.

• Analytics and website performance services.

• Cloud storage and business software.

• Professional and administrative services.

• Artificial intelligence tools, where appropriate.

 

These providers may process personal data on our behalf and are expected to handle that information securely and in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.

 

We may also disclose information where required by law or where necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal rights.

 

We do not sell personal data.

 

Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

 

Access to personal information is limited to those who require it for legitimate business purposes and to service providers acting on our behalf where necessary.

 

No electronic system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we regularly review our practices and security arrangements.

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Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including to meet legal, accounting, contractual and regulatory obligations.

 

Different categories of information may therefore be retained for different periods.

 

When personal information is no longer required, we will delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it where reasonably practicable.

 

International Data Transfers

Some of the service providers we use may process or store information outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area.

 

Where personal data is transferred internationally, we take appropriate steps to ensure that suitable safeguards are in place, which may include adequacy regulations or approved contractual protections.

 

Third-Party Websites and Content

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services.

 

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those organisations. If you follow an external link, you should review the privacy information provided by that organisation.

 

Third-party research, quotations and other materials referenced in our work remain subject to the rights of their respective owners.

 

Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Access personal data we hold about you.

• Rectify inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

• Erase your personal data in certain circumstances.

• Restrict the way your personal data is processed.

• Object to certain processing, including some processing based on legitimate interests and direct marketing.

• Data portability, where applicable.

• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

• Complain to a data protection authority if you believe your personal data has been handled unlawfully.

 

In the United Kingdom, you may raise concerns with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

 

To exercise your rights, please contact cynthiafortlage@cynthiafortlage.com.

 

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our business practices, technology or legal obligations.

 

The latest version will be published on this website. Where a change materially affects how we use personal data, we will take reasonable steps to bring that change to the attention of affected individuals where required.

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Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or the way we handle personal data, please contact:

cynthiafortlage@cynthiafortlage.com