Privacy Policy

1. Scope of this policy

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information handled by Taste of Bangladesh through tasteofbangladesh.ca, our event and registration forms, Meta lead forms, social media pages, email, phone, WhatsApp and in-person interactions.

“Personal information” means information about an identifiable individual. This policy does not apply to information that has been anonymized so that it can no longer reasonably identify a person.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• Contact information: name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, city and preferred contact method.
• Application and event information: business or organization name, website, vendor category, products or services, booth requirements, event participation preferences and information you include in an application or message.
• Transaction information: registration, booth, sponsorship or payment status. Payment card details may be processed directly by a payment service provider and may not be stored by us.
• Communications: messages, inquiries, feedback and records of our correspondence with you.
• Website and device information: IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, referring page, approximate location, cookie identifiers and interactions with our website or advertisements.
• Social platform information: information you choose to submit through Facebook, Instagram or another social platform, subject to that platform's settings and policies.

Please do not submit sensitive personal information unless we specifically request it and explain why it is needed.

3. How we use personal information

We may use personal information to:

• review and manage vendor, sponsor, performer, volunteer and booth applications;
• provide event information, registration support, scheduling, pricing and operational updates;
• respond to questions and communicate about an application, inquiry or service request;
• process or confirm registrations and transactions;
• operate, secure, troubleshoot and improve our website, forms, events and services;
• measure website and advertising performance and understand audience engagement;
• send promotional messages where we have the consent or other lawful authority required to do so;
• prevent fraud, misuse and security incidents, and comply with legal or regulatory obligations.

If we want to use personal information for a new purpose that is not reasonably related to the purpose described when it was collected, we will provide notice and seek consent where required.

4. Consent and promotional communications

By voluntarily providing information after receiving a clear explanation of the purpose, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure for that purpose, subject to applicable law. You may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.

Submitting a vendor or event form does not automatically subscribe you to unrelated promotional messages. Where required, we will request separate consent before sending commercial electronic messages. You can unsubscribe using the link in an email or contact us using the details below. Transactional or service messages relating to an active application or registration may still be sent.

5. When we share information

We do not sell personal information. We may disclose information only as reasonably necessary to:

• service providers that support hosting, forms, email, analytics, advertising, communications, payments, event operations and data storage;
• event partners or operational teams when needed to administer your participation and when appropriate safeguards are in place;
• professional advisers, insurers, auditors or legal representatives;
• government, law-enforcement or regulatory authorities when required or permitted by law;
• a successor organization in connection with a proposed or completed organizational transaction, subject to appropriate protections.

Some providers may process information outside Canada. When that happens, the information may be subject to the laws and lawful access requirements of the jurisdiction where it is processed.

6. Cookies, Meta tools and advertising

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to remember preferences, maintain security, understand traffic and measure advertising. You can manage cookies through your browser, although blocking some cookies may affect website functionality.

We may use tools supplied by Meta Platforms, including Meta Pixel, Conversions API, lead forms and Custom Audiences. These tools may help us measure visits or conversions, display advertisements and reach people who may be interested in our events.

Where permitted and supported by appropriate consent, contact identifiers such as an email address or telephone number may be securely transformed, commonly called “hashed,” and provided to an advertising platform for matching. The platform processes the information under its own terms and privacy policy. We will not use information for this purpose where consent or another lawful basis is required and has not been obtained.

You can learn about and manage Meta advertising preferences through Meta's Privacy Policy and settings.

7. Retention and security safeguards

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, to meet legal, accounting or reporting obligations, or to resolve disputes. When information is no longer required, we securely delete, destroy or anonymize it.

We use administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity and volume of the information. No internet transmission or storage system is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your privacy choices and rights

Subject to applicable law, you may ask us to:

• explain whether we hold personal information about you and how it has been used or disclosed;
• provide access to personal information we hold about you;
• correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
• withdraw consent or stop optional marketing communications;
• delete information that we are not legally or operationally required to retain;
• review and respond to a privacy concern or complaint.

We may need to verify your identity before completing a request. If we cannot fulfil all or part of a request, we will explain the reason where required by law.

9. Children's privacy

Our vendor and business registration services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without appropriate consent from a parent or guardian. If you believe a child has provided personal information improperly, please contact us so we can review and address the matter.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when our practices, services or legal obligations change. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. If a change materially affects how we use previously collected information, we will provide additional notice or seek consent where required.

11. Contact us

Contact our privacy representative with a request, question or complaint. We will review privacy concerns and respond within a reasonable period.

If we do not resolve your concern, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.