Privacy Policy

SSA and SSS’ Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 21, 2023
Last Updated: June 19, 2025

Welcome to SimplySoundAdvice.com (“SSA“) and our sister community Simply Sound Society at society.simplysoundadvice.com (“SSS“).
Your privacy isn’t a checkbox—it’s a commitment.
This Policy explains what data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you can make, in line with global rules like the GDPR, UK‑GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, ePrivacy Directive, PIPEDA, VCDPA, CPA, UCPA and other applicable laws.

By using our sites you agree to the practices below. If anything here doesn’t sit right, please don’t use the sites—though we’d rather you email us first so we can help: [email protected].

1. Who We Are

  • Simply Sound Advice (SSA) – our main hub for tools, guides, and resources covering personal development, finance, wellness, relationships and our “Eclectic Collection” which is a curated list of off topic subjects ranging from travel to religion and more.
  • Simply Sound Society (SSS) – a social platform with customizable profiles, forums, live chat, and other community features inspired by the best parts of the early web.

Both sites are owned and operated by Simply Sound Advice, Travis Anthony Paiz, based in Utah, USA.

2. Definitions

  • “Personal Data” / “Personal Information” – any information that can identify you or be reasonably linked to you.
  • “Processing” – any operation performed on Personal Data (collection, storage, use, sharing, etc.).
  • “Controller” – the entity that determines how and why Personal Data is processed (that’s us).
  • “Processor” – a third party that processes Personal Data on our behalf.

3. Affiliate Disclosure

We participate in affiliate programs—including (but not limited to) the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program—and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

We Promise:

  1. We only promote products or services we genuinely believe help our audience.
  2. Affiliate revenue keeps our tools and community free.
  3. Editorial integrity is non‑negotiable; partnerships never dictate our opinions.

Questions? [email protected]

4. What Data We Collect

We collect only what we need to run the sites, offer value, and meet legal requirements.

a. Data You Provide Voluntarily

  • Identification Data – name, display name, email address, password (hashed), mailing address (if you make a purchase or donation).
  • User‑Generated Content – posts, messages, comments, profile customizations (colors, music embeds, visual effects).
  • Payment Data – handled securely by third‑party gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal); we never store full card numbers.

b. Data Collected Automatically

  • Device & Log Data – IP address, browser type, OS, device identifiers, referring URLs, timestamps.
  • Usage Data – pages visited, features used, interaction times, error reports.
  • Cookies & Tracking – first‑ and third‑party cookies, local storage, pixels (see §8).

c. Community‑Specific Data (SSS)

  • Profile theme choices, friend lists, group memberships, chat history, privacy settings you configure.

d. Anonymized & Aggregated Data

  • De‑identified statistics (e.g., how many users chose a neon profile theme).
    Used only to improve or market our services—never to single you out.

We do not collect sensitive Personal Data (e.g., health, race, biometric) unless you voluntarily publish it in the community.

Under the GDPR and similar laws we rely on:

  1. Consent – newsletter sign‑ups, optional cookies, marketing.
  2. Contractual Necessity – providing the services you registered for.
  3. Legitimate Interests – site security, fraud prevention, analytics that don’t override your rights.
  4. Legal Obligation – tax, accounting, court orders.
  5. Vital Interests – in very rare cases to protect you or others from serious harm.

6. How We Use Your Data

  • To create and manage your SSA/SSS account(s).
  • To display your chosen content in the community.
  • To send newsletters, updates, or promotional material only if you opt in (unsubscribe anytime).
  • To process payments and deliver premium tools or donations perks.
  • To moderate posts, detect spam, and enforce community rules.
  • To analyze site performance and develop new features.
  • To meet legal or regulatory requirements.

We never sell—or “share” for cross‑context behavioral advertising—your Personal Data.

7. Sharing & Disclosure

We only share data with vetted partners under strict written agreements:

CategoryExamplesSafeguards
Payment ProcessorsStripe, PayPalPCI‑DSS compliant; tokenised transactions
Email Service ProvidersMailerLite, ConvertKitStandard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
Analytics & PerformanceGoogle Analytics (privacy‑enhanced, IP‑anonymised)Data‑processing addendum
Hosting & SecurityCloudflare, VultrISO 27001‑certified data centres
Cookie & Consent ManagementCookieYes ProStores only opt‑in/out preferences

We may disclose data only when required to comply with law, defend our rights, or protect users from harm.

8. Cookies & Similar Technologies

SSA and SSS deploy cookies, local storage, and similar tech to:

  • Keep you logged in and remember preferences (Strictly Necessary).
  • Measure site usage (Analytics).
  • Provide embedded content or ads that help fund the platform (Marketing – disabled by default in the EEA/UK).

On your first visit you’ll see a CookieYes banner where you can:

  1. Accept or reject cookies by category.
  2. Read a live list of every cookie or script in use.
  3. Change your consent choices anytime via the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer.

Detailed cookie lists live here:

  • SSA: simplysoundadvice.com/cookie-policy
  • SSS: society.simplysoundadvice.com/cookie-settings

We honour Global Privacy Control (GPC) and “Do Not Track” where legally required.

9. Your Privacy Rights & Choices

Depending on where you live, you can:

RightHow to Exercise
Access – know what data we holdEmail us; we’ll send a copy within 30 days
Rectification – fix inaccurate infoUpdate your profile or email us
Deletion – “Right to Be Forgotten” / “Delete My Account”Self‑service delete in profile or email us
Portability – take your data elsewhereWe’ll provide a CSV/JSON export
Withdraw Consent – opt out of marketing or cookiesUnsubscribe link / Cookie Settings
Opt‑out of Sale/Share (CCPA/CPRA)We don’t sell or share, but the footer link honours the request
Restrict / Object – limit certain processingEmail us with details

We respond within the legally mandated timeframe (max 45 days, extendable once if complex).

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority (see §16).

10. Data Security

We use a defense‑in‑depth approach:

  • TLS 1.3 encryption site‑wide (HTTPS).
  • Cloudflare Web Application Firewall & DDoS mitigation.
  • Server‑level hardening, malware scans, and real‑time intrusion detection.
  • Principle‑of‑least‑privilege for admin accounts; 2‑factor authentication enforced.
  • Regular software and plugin updates; audited third‑party code.

No system is perfect, but if a breach likely affects your rights we’ll notify you within 72 hours (or as local law requires).

11. Data Retention

Data CategoryRetention PeriodRationale
Contact & Newsletter InfoUntil you unsubscribe or 24 months of inactivityProvide requested communications
Community Posts & Profile ContentUntil you delete it or close your accountCore service function
Payment & Purchase Records7 yearsTax & accounting laws
Server Logs & Analytics26 months (anonymised thereafter)Security & performance analysis

We routinely review data and erase or anonymise when no longer needed.

12. International Transfers

Our servers are in the United States. Where EU/UK data is transferred outside the EEA/UK we rely on:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission & UK ICO; or
  • An adequacy decision for the destination country; or
  • Your explicit consent.

We also apply GDPR‑level protections to all users, no matter where you live.

13. Children’s Privacy

SSA and SSS are not directed to children under 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from minors. If you believe a child has provided data, email us and we’ll delete it promptly.

14. Third‑Party Links & Content

Our sites contain links to external sites, embedded games, and user‑generated content. We don’t control third‑party privacy practices. Clicking those links is at your discretion; review their policies first.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes in law or our services. Material changes will be announced via email or an on‑site banner at least 7 days before they take effect. The “Last Updated” date tells you when we last tweaked things.

16. Contact & Supervisory Authority

Data Protection Officer (DPO) / Privacy Lead
Travis Anthony Paiz
Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address
Simply Sound Advice, LLC
780 N 100 E
Price, Utah 84501
United States

If you’re in the EEA/UK you can complain to your local Data Protection Authority (e.g., the ICO in the UK or your national authority listed at https://edpb.europa.eu). We’d appreciate the chance to resolve issues directly first.

Thank you for trusting SSA and SSS. Your data helps us build tools and communities that change lives—without ever compromising your privacy.

✅ By using our sites you acknowledge and agree to this Privacy Policy.

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