ApeStudios LLC d/b/a Ape Studios ("we," "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and your choices. It applies to apestudiodesign.com and to our subscription Service (collectively, the "Service").
We've written this in plain English. If anything is unclear, email us at hello@apestudiodesign.com.
1. Information we collect
Information you give us directly:
- Contact details when you fill in a contact form or email us (name, email, phone, company, message content).
- Subscription details when you become a client (billing name, billing address, payment method via Stripe — we do not store full card numbers; Stripe does that for us).
- Brief and project content you send us during a website build (business info, brand assets, content you want on your site, decision-makers).
Information we collect automatically:
- Website analytics — pages visited, time on page, country, browser/device type, referring URL. We use privacy-friendly analytics (Plausible or Fathom; no IP tracking, no cookies that identify individuals).
- Server logs — IP address, timestamp, HTTP path, status code (kept for ~7 days, used only for debugging and security).
Information from third parties:
- Stripe shares subscription, invoice, and payment-status data with us so we can manage your account.
- Cloudflare (our hosting provider) handles request routing and may log IPs for DDoS protection, per Cloudflare's privacy policy.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share it with advertisers.
2. How we use information
We use what we collect to:
- Provide and deliver the Service (build your site, run edits, host it).
- Bill you and manage your subscription.
- Respond to inquiries.
- Communicate with you about your account, billing, and changes to the Service.
- Improve our work (anonymized aggregate trends — not individual tracking).
- Comply with legal obligations.
3. Sharing and disclosure
We share personal data only with:
- Service providers who help us run the business: Stripe (payments), Cloudflare (hosting, DNS, security), our chosen analytics provider, our form handler if applicable, and any e-signature tool. These providers act only on our instructions and are bound by their own privacy commitments.
- Legal disclosure — if required by law, court order, or to protect rights, safety, or property.
- Business transfer — if we're acquired or restructured, your information may transfer to the new entity, subject to this Policy.
4. Cookies and tracking
apestudiodesign.com uses minimal cookies:
- A session cookie required for the site to function.
- (If applicable) An analytics cookie from Plausible/Fathom that does not identify you individually.
We do not use third-party advertising or retargeting cookies.
You can disable cookies in your browser; some site features may not work fully if you do.
5. Data retention
- Inquiry / contact form submissions: kept for up to 2 years, then deleted.
- Client account records: kept for the duration of your subscription, plus 7 years after termination for tax and legal records.
- Server logs: ~7 days.
- Analytics: aggregated; individual visit data not retained.
6. Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights under laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These can include the right to:
- Know what personal data we hold about you.
- Request a copy.
- Ask us to correct or delete it.
- Opt out of any "sale" or "share" of personal data (we do not sell or share for advertising — so there's nothing to opt out of).
- Withdraw consent at any time (where we rely on consent).
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
To exercise any right, email hello@apestudiodesign.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. We will respond within 30 days.
7. Security
We use industry-standard security measures: HTTPS/TLS everywhere, restricted access to client data, strong passwords, and credential isolation. Stripe handles all payment card storage and is PCI-DSS compliant.
No system is 100% secure. If we ever experience a data incident affecting your personal data, we will notify you and any required authorities promptly.
8. Children
The Service is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, email hello@apestudiodesign.com and we will delete it.
9. International data transfers
We are based in the United States. If you are visiting from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to and processed in the U.S. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.
For EU/UK users, where required we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) for international transfers.
10. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. The current version is always at https://www.apestudiodesign.com/privacy.html with a "Last updated" date. Material changes will be communicated by email or a prominent notice on the site at least 30 days before they take effect.
11. Contact
For privacy questions, requests, or complaints:
ApeStudios LLC d/b/a Ape Studios
Tampa, Florida
hello@apestudiodesign.com