Privacy Policy
Heartland Digital Studio ("HDS", "we", "us") is a veteran-owned web design and digital marketing studio based in Alma, Michigan. This policy explains what information we collect through our website, our Facebook Page, our Instagram account and related tools, how we use it, and how you can ask us to delete it.
1. Information we collect
- Information you send us. Your name, email address, phone number, business name, website address and anything else you include when you fill out a form, email us, call us or book a meeting.
- Facebook and Instagram interactions. When you message, comment on, mention or submit a lead form to our Facebook Page or Instagram account, Meta shares the content of that interaction with us along with your Meta-assigned ID and, for comments, your public name or username.
- Website usage data. Basic analytics such as pages visited, device and browser type, and approximate location, collected through Google Analytics and similar tools using cookies.
- Client project information. Logins, content and business details you provide so we can build and maintain your website.
2. How we use your information
- To answer your questions and reply to your messages and comments.
- To prepare quotes, proposals and website audits you ask for.
- To deliver and support the services you hire us for, including website care plans.
- To understand how people use our website so we can improve it.
- To meet legal, tax and accounting obligations.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use Facebook or Instagram data for advertising profiles or share it with data brokers.
3. How we handle Facebook and Instagram messages
Messages, comments, mentions and lead form notices sent to our Facebook Page or Instagram account are passed by Meta to an automation system that HDS hosts and controls. That system sorts each message (for example, a new inquiry, an existing client request or spam) and forwards it to our business email so we can respond quickly. For inquiries, an artificial intelligence service drafts a suggested reply. A person at HDS reviews every reply before anything is sent. No message is answered automatically.
The AI service receives only the text of the message, the platform and the type of interaction. It processes that text to produce a draft and does not use it to build a profile of you.
4. Who we share information with
We share information only with service providers that help us run our business, and only as much as they need:
- Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram), which delivers messages to us.
- Google (Google Workspace email and Google Analytics).
- Anthropic, our AI service provider, which drafts suggested replies.
- Hostinger, which hosts our website and our automation server.
- Our CRM and invoicing provider, for clients and active proposals.
We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights or the safety of others.
5. How long we keep information
Automation logs that contain message content are deleted on a rolling basis, generally within 30 days. Emails and records of conversations with prospects and clients are kept as normal business records for as long as they are useful to serve you or as required for tax and legal purposes. You can ask us to delete them at any time.
6. Deleting your data
You can ask us to delete the information we hold about you, including any data received from Facebook or Instagram:
- Email bmakidon@heartlanddigitalstudio.com with the subject "Data deletion request". Include your name and the Facebook or Instagram name you contacted us from.
- We will confirm your request and delete your information from our systems within 30 days, except for records we must keep by law (such as invoices).
You can also remove our app's access to your Facebook data at any time under Facebook Settings & privacy > Settings > Apps and websites. Full steps are on our data deletion instructions page.
7. Cookies
Our website uses cookies for analytics and basic site functions. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. The site will still work, though some features may not.
8. Security
We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information, including encrypted connections, access controls and systems we host and monitor ourselves. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Children
Our services are for businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
10. Your choices
You can ask to see, correct or delete the information we hold about you, and you can opt out of any marketing emails using the unsubscribe link or by replying to us.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it last changed.
12. Contact us
Heartland Digital Studio
Alma, Michigan
bmakidon@heartlanddigitalstudio.com