Last Updated: April 28, 2025
Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Instant Authority (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a North Carolina-based company that operates the website https://instantauthority.io. We help businesses automate online review collection, generate AI-powered responses to reviews, and convert reviews into social media content. Protecting your privacy is important to us, and this policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information in compliance with laws like the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA).

 

 

1. What Personal Data Do We Collect?

When you use our services, we may collect the following types of information:

  • Identifiers: This includes your name, email address, phone number, business name, physical address, IP address, and social media handles.

  • Financial and Transactional Information: When you pay for our services, we collect payment details (e.g., credit card information processed securely through Stripe or PayPal). We do not store full credit card numbers.

  • Technical Data: We automatically collect information about your device, browser, and how you use our website through cookies and similar tools. This includes your IP address, device type, and pages you visit.

  • User Content: If you or your customers submit reviews or other content through our platform, we process this data to provide our services, such as generating AI responses or social media graphics.

We collect this information directly from you (e.g., when you create an account), automatically through our website, or from third parties like your customers or social media platforms.

 

 

2. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal information to:

  1. Provide Services: Deliver the tools you request, such as automating review collection, creating AI responses, and generating social media content.

  2. Process Payments: Securely handle transactions and send invoices.

  3. Communicate: Send service-related updates, respond to inquiries, and (with your consent) marketing emails.

  4. Improve Our Platform: Analyze website traffic and user behavior to enhance our services.

  5. Legal Compliance: Meet tax, fraud prevention, or other regulatory obligations.

Under GDPR, we process your data based on legal grounds such as fulfilling contracts, obtaining consent, or pursuing legitimate business interests.

 

 

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies—small text files stored on your device—to improve functionality and analyze usage. For example:

  • Essential Cookies: Keep you logged in and enable basic website features.

  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., via Google Analytics).

  • Advertising Cookies: Allow us to show personalized ads on platforms like Google or Meta.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner. Note that blocking cookies may affect website performance.

 

 

4. Sharing Your Information

We only share your data in limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers: Trusted partners like payment processors (Stripe), cloud hosting providers (AWS), and AI tools (e.g., OpenAI) help us deliver services. These partners are contractually obligated to protect your data.

  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, such as responding to a court order.

  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to the new owner.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

 

 

5. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your home region, including the United States. When we do this, we use safeguards like GDPR-approved Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to ensure your data remains protected.

 

 

6. Security Measures

We take reasonable steps to secure your data, including encryption, restricted access controls, and regular security audits. However, no system is completely immune to risks, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

 

 

7. How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain your information only as long as necessary:

  • Account Data: Kept while your account is active or as needed to provide services.

  • Financial Records: Stored for up to 7 years to comply with tax laws.

  • Marketing Data: Retained until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it.

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8. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended for users under the age of 16 (or 13 in the U.S.). If we discover that we’ve inadvertently collected data from a minor, we will delete it promptly.

 

 

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

  • Access or Delete Your Data: Request a copy of the information we hold about you or ask us to delete it.

  • Correct Errors: Update inaccurate details in your account.

  • Opt Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe from emails using the link in each message.

  • Object to Processing: Under GDPR, you can object to certain uses of your data (e.g., automated decision-making).

To exercise these rights, email us at support@instantauthority.io. We’ll respond within 30 days and may ask for proof of identity to prevent fraud.

 

 

10. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, please contact us first at support@instantauthority.io. EU/EEA residents may also file a complaint with their local data protection authority.

 

 

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this policy as our services or laws change. Significant changes will be announced on our website or via email. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will reflect the latest version.

 

 

12. Contact Us

Instant Authority
4111-e Rose Lake Dr #8346, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217
Email: support@instantauthority.io