Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Account information. When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and authentication credentials. If you sign in with Google or GitHub, we receive the display name and email associated with that account. This information is used for authentication, session management, and account communications.

Usage data. We collect information about how you interact with the site, including pages visited, chords viewed, and favorites saved. This information is used for improving the site and understanding feature usage.

Cookies and similar technologies. We use essential cookies (for authentication and dark mode preferences), which are loaded by default. Non-essential cookies (for advertising) are loaded only after you provide consent. See Section 5 for details on advertising cookies and consent.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Account information — to authenticate your identity, manage your session, and send account-related communications
• Usage data — to improve PianoChords.ca, understand which features are used, and support ad relevance
• Essential cookies — to maintain your login session and remember your preferences (such as dark mode)
• Non-essential cookies — to serve personalized advertisements through Google AdSense (only with your consent)

3. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored in Google Firebase (Firestore) and is protected by Firebase security rules that restrict access to your own data. Authentication is handled through Firebase Authentication. We do not sell your personal information to third parties. Data is encrypted in transit using TLS and at rest using Firebase's default encryption.

4. Data Sharing

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share data with:

• Google Firebase — for authentication and data storage
• Google AdSense — for serving advertisements (see Section 5)
• Law enforcement — if required by applicable law

5. Advertising and Cookie Consent

Advertising. We use Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google may use cookies and tracking technologies to serve ads based on your visit to this site and other sites on the internet.

For more information about how Google uses your data, and to manage your preferences:

• Google's Privacy Policy
• Google Ads Settings (opt out of personalized ads)
• Network Advertising Initiative opt-out

Cookie consent. Before any non-essential cookies are placed, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner. Essential cookies (for authentication and session management) are loaded by default. Non-essential cookies (for advertising) are only loaded after you provide affirmative consent. You can change your cookie preferences at any time using the “Cookie Preferences” link in the site footer.

6. Your Rights

Under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA), you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Withdraw consent for data processing

To withdraw consent, you can: (1) change your cookie preferences via the cookie consent banner accessible from the site footer; or (2) contact us at privacy@pianochords.ca. If you withdraw consent for advertising cookies, you will still see ads, but they will not be personalized. If you withdraw consent for account data processing, we will delete your account and associated data within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

8. Children's Privacy

PianoChords.ca is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@pianochords.ca.

9. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a breach of security safeguards involving your personal information that creates a real risk of significant harm, we will notify you and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada as required by PIPEDA.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. For material changes, we will notify you by email at the address associated with your account at least 14 days before the changes take effect. The updated policy will also be posted on this page with a revised date.

11. Contact

Our Privacy Officer is responsible for our compliance with this policy and with PIPEDA. If you have questions about this privacy policy, your personal data, or wish to exercise your rights, contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@pianochords.ca.