Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 28, 2025

1. Introduction

Sims Forestry Services ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit our website at simsforestry.com.

Note: This privacy policy applies only to our main website. If you are using the CRUISE mobile application, please refer to the CRUISE Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you contact us through our website, you may voluntarily provide:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Property location and size (optional)
  • Service interests
  • Message content

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

  • Analytics Data: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website, including pages visited, time spent on site, browser type, and general geographic location (city/state level).
  • Cookies: Small text files stored on your device to remember your cookie consent preferences.
  • IP Address: Your IP address is collected for rate limiting and spam prevention purposes only. Google Analytics anonymizes your IP address.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide requested forestry consulting information
  • Website Improvement: To analyze website traffic and improve user experience
  • Spam Prevention: To prevent abuse of our contact form through rate limiting
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

4. Cookies and Tracking

4.1 Cookie Consent

We use a cookie consent banner to give you control over non-essential cookies. You can:

  • Accept all cookies
  • Reject all non-essential cookies
  • Manage your preferences at any time

4.2 Types of Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookies: Required for the website to function. These cannot be disabled.

Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics cookies that help us understand website usage. These require your consent and can be disabled.

4.3 Managing Cookies

You can manage your cookie preferences through:

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information with:

  • Service Providers: Google Analytics for website analytics (subject to Google's privacy policy)
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information:

  • HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
  • HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) to prevent downgrade attacks
  • Content Security Policy headers to prevent XSS attacks
  • Rate limiting on contact form submissions
  • Secure Firebase Cloud Functions for form processing

7. Your Privacy Rights

7.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to access and correct your personal information. Contact us at contact@simsforestry.com to request access or corrections.

7.2 Opt-Out of Analytics

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by:

  • Rejecting analytics cookies through our cookie consent banner
  • Installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on
  • Using browser "Do Not Track" settings

7.3 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

  • Know what personal information is collected
  • Know whether your personal information is sold or disclosed
  • Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
  • Request deletion of your personal information

7.4 European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Rectify inaccurate data
  • Request erasure of your data
  • Object to processing of your data
  • Data portability
  • Withdraw consent at any time

8. Data Retention

We retain information for the following periods:

  • Contact Form Submissions: 2 years for business purposes, then deleted
  • Analytics Data: Google Analytics retains data for 26 months (default setting)
  • Rate Limiting Logs: 30 days, then automatically deleted

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

13. Consent

By using our website, you consent to this Privacy Policy and our collection and use of information as described herein.