Privacy Policy

Explore Dubuque ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website ExploreDubuque.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website. Please read this policy carefully.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Account registration: When you create an account (for business owners), we collect your name, email address, phone number, and business name.
• Contact forms: When you contact us or submit an inquiry, we collect your name, email address, and message content.
• Business listings: When you submit or claim a business listing, we collect your business information including name, address, phone, website, and hours.
• Event submissions: When you submit an event, we collect the event details and your contact email.

Information Collected Automatically

• Usage data: We may collect information about how you interact with our site, including pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs.
• Device information: Browser type, operating system, and IP address may be collected for security and analytics purposes.
• Cookies: We use cookies to remember your preferences and improve your experience. See the Cookies section below.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve the Explore Dubuque website
• Display business listings and community resources accurately
• Process and review business listing submissions
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send transactional emails related to your account or listings
• Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Types of cookies we use:

• Essential cookies: Required for the site to function (e.g., session management for logged-in business owners).
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site so we can improve it.
• Advertising cookies: We use Google AdSense to display relevant advertisements. Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this or other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.

Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our site. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the Internet.

For more information about how Google uses data, visit Google's Privacy & Terms.

Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Business listing display: Information submitted for a business listing (name, address, phone, website, hours) is publicly displayed on the site as intended.
• Service providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the website, subject to confidentiality agreements.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information when required by law or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Business listing information is retained as long as the listing is active. Account information is retained until you request deletion.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Opt out of marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@exploredubuque.com.

Children's Privacy

Explore Dubuque is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (including business websites listed in our directory). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

• Email: info@exploredubuque.com
• Website: Contact Form