Privacy Policy
Your trust is our most valuable asset. We are committed to protecting your personal data and being transparent about how we collect, use, and safeguard your information.
1. Introduction
Gold Maple Voice ("we," "our," or "us") is a global market research and strategic intelligence firm with headquarters in Canada and operations worldwide, including Gold Maple Voice India Pvt. Ltd. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, engage our services, participate in our research studies, or interact with us in any manner.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including:
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – for individuals in the European Economic Area
- UK GDPR – for individuals in the United Kingdom
- DPDP Act, 2023 – for individuals in India
- PIPEDA – for individuals in Canada
- CCPA/CPRA – for residents of California, USA
- LGPD – for individuals in Brazil
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing our website or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our services or provide us with your personal data.
We will never sell your personal data to third parties. We only collect information that is necessary to deliver our research services, and we are transparent about how that information is used. Your participation in our research is always voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide to Us
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
- Engage our services: Name, job title, company name, business email, phone number, billing address, and payment information.
- Participate in research studies: Demographics (age, gender, income, education), opinions, preferences, behaviors, and other information relevant to specific research objectives.
- Request a consultation: Name, email, phone, company, job title, country, and details about your research needs.
- Subscribe to communications: Email address, name, and communication preferences.
- Apply for employment: Resume, cover letter, work history, education, and references.
- Contact us: Any information you choose to provide in your message.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage:
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type.
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, referral source, clicks, and navigation paths.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to enhance your experience and analyze website traffic. See Section 8 for details.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
In some cases, we may receive personal information about you from third parties:
- Sample providers and panel partners: When you participate in research through one of our partner panels.
- Publicly available sources: For B2B research and competitive intelligence, we may collect professional information from public sources.
- Client referrals: When a client refers you as a potential research participant or business contact.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Data Categories | Legal Basis (where applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Providing research services | Identity, contact, professional, research responses | Contract performance; legitimate interests |
| Recruiting research participants | Identity, contact, demographic, screening data | Consent; legitimate interests |
| Client communications | Identity, contact, professional | Contract performance; legitimate interests |
| Marketing and business development | Identity, contact, professional, usage data | Consent; legitimate interests |
| Website improvement and analytics | Device information, usage data, cookies | Consent; legitimate interests |
| Legal compliance and risk management | All relevant categories | Legal obligation; legitimate interests |
3.1 Research Participant Data – Specific Use
When you participate in our market research studies:
- Your responses are aggregated and anonymized before being reported to clients.
- We do not share your personal identity (name, contact details) with clients unless you explicitly consent.
- Your responses are used solely for research purposes and not for sales or marketing.
- You may withdraw from a study at any time without penalty.
4. Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers
We engage trusted third-party service providers to assist in operating our business, including:
- Survey platform providers (e.g., Decipher, Qualtrics)
- Cloud hosting services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Email communication platforms
- Payment processors
- Analytics providers (Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics)
All service providers are contractually bound to protect your data and may only process it in accordance with our instructions.
4.2 Research Clients
For research participant data:
- We provide clients with aggregated, anonymized data and insights.
- We do not disclose your name, contact information, or any directly identifiable information without your explicit consent.
- Verbatim quotes may be used in reports but are anonymized and not attributable to you.
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, regulatory agencies).
4.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of any such change and ensure your data continues to be protected.
5. International Data Transfers
Gold Maple Voice operates globally. Your personal information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including Canada, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
When we transfer personal data from the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland to countries that have not received an adequacy decision from the European Commission, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
- Binding Corporate Rules for intra-group transfers
- Data Protection Impact Assessments for high-risk transfers
For residents of India, your data is processed in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Gold Maple Voice India Pvt. Ltd. is registered with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and complies with all applicable data protection requirements.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
| Data Category | Retention Period | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Research participant data | 12-24 months after study completion | Validation, follow-up studies, legal compliance |
| Client business data | 7 years after contract termination | Legal and contractual obligations |
| Website usage data | 26 months (Google Analytics) | Analytics and improvement |
| Marketing communications | Until unsubscribe | Consent-based |
| Employment applications | 12 months | Future opportunities |
After the retention period expires, your personal data will be securely deleted or anonymized so that it can no longer be attributed to you.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to Rectification
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Right to Erasure
Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal exceptions.
Right to Restrict
Limit how we process your data.
Right to Portability
Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Right to Object
Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
7.1 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer:
- Email: privacy@goldmaplevoice.com
- Web Form: Contact Us (select "Privacy Request")
- Mail: Gold Maple Voice, Attn: DPO, 123 King Street West, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5H 3X7, Canada
We will respond to your request within 30 days. We may require additional information to verify your identity before processing your request.
7.2 Right to Complain
If you are dissatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority:
- India: Data Protection Board of India
- UK: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
- EU: Your local Supervisory Authority
- Canada: Office of the Privacy Commissioner
- USA (California): California Privacy Protection Agency
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and understand where our visitors come from.
8.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the website remember your preferences and actions over time.
8.2 Types of Cookies We Use
| Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Cookies | Required for website functionality, security, and accessibility. | Session / Persistent |
| Analytics Cookies | Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (Google Analytics). | Up to 26 months |
| Functional Cookies | Remember your preferences and settings. | 1 year |
| Marketing Cookies | Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign performance. | 90 days |
8.3 Your Cookie Choices
When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie banner allowing you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can also manage your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" button below.
Alternatively, you can configure your browser to block or delete cookies. However, please note that some parts of our website may not function properly if you disable cookies.
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at privacy@goldmaplevoice.com, and we will take steps to delete such information.
In cases where research requires participation of minors (e.g., child-focused product testing), we obtain verifiable parental consent and comply with all applicable laws, including COPPA in the United States.
10. Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256)
- Regular security assessments and penetration testing
- Access controls and multi-factor authentication
- Staff training on data protection and privacy
- Incident response and breach notification procedures
While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Gold Maple Voice Data Protection Team
Toronto, ON M5H 3X7, Canada
Gurugram, Haryana 122002, India
For research participants: If you have concerns about a specific study, please reference the study ID or panel name in your inquiry.