Privacy Policy – Gadgety Awards LLC

Gadgety Awards LLC (hereinafter “Gadgety Awards,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) appreciates your interest in our website and related services. Protecting your personal data is very important to us, and we are committed to ensuring transparency in how we collect, use, store, and share your information.

This privacy notice provides information about the processing of personal data of users (hereinafter “users” or “you”) in connection with your use of our digital offerings, including:

• Visiting our website at https://www.gadgetyawards.com, or any other site operated by us that links to this notice;
• Interacting with us through marketing, sales, events, or other communications.

We process personal data in accordance with this notice and applicable data protection and privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other relevant regulations.

Please note that specific processing activities may be governed by additional or separate privacy notices, which will be provided where appropriate.

This privacy notice does not apply to third-party websites, including social media platforms, that may be accessed through links on our website. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of those providers separately.

This notice is intended to help you understand your rights and choices regarding your personal data. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, we kindly ask that you refrain from using our services. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us at: privacy@gadgetyawards.com.

Collecting and Processing Personal Data 

We process personal data that you voluntarily submit to us when using our Services, including but not limited to:

• Submission Data: This includes your contact name, company or agency name, email address, telephone number, country, product or campaign descriptions, as well as any supporting materials such as images, documents (PDFs), or video links provided as part of award submissions or other participation in our programs.
• Professional and Business Information: Your professional role or title, brand or agency affiliation, and relevant company or organization descriptions.
• Communications and Correspondence: Personal data provided through customer service inquiries, contact forms, emails, or other communication channels with Gadgety Awards, including the content of your messages and any follow-up correspondence.

Information We Collect Automatically

When you access our websites or digital platforms, certain technical data may be automatically collected and processed to ensure proper functionality and to improve our services. This includes:

• Analytics Data: We use tools such as Google Analytics to collect aggregated usage metrics in order to analyze traffic patterns, measure website performance, and enhance the user experience.

Third-Party Data and Representations

If you provide us with information about other individuals (e.g., colleagues or clients), you are responsible for ensuring that you are authorized to share their personal data with us and that they have been appropriately informed of such data processing in accordance with this privacy policy.

In certain cases, data may also be transmitted to us from third-party sources, such as when another individual registers on your behalf or when traffic originates from external websites. This data may include referral information or origin tracking parameters.

Please note that while you are not legally required to provide personal data, certain features or services may not be fully available without it. Required fields are typically marked as mandatory in our online forms.

Purposes of Use

Administration of Award Programs and Related Services

We process your data to facilitate your participation in award programs, including:

• Receiving, reviewing, and managing award submissions;
• Communicating with you regarding your entry, event logistics, and outcome;
• Publishing selected information—such as product names, brand names, images, or campaign descriptions—in connection with nominations, award announcements, or promotional materials (based on your submission and applicable consent).

This processing is based either on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR), the performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR), or our legitimate interest in operating and promoting the awards (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

Website Functionality and Security

We use automatically collected data to ensure the technical availability, functionality, and security of our websites. This includes:

• Monitoring and improving site usability and performance;
• Protecting our IT infrastructure against unauthorized access, cyber threats, or other unlawful activity.

The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) in safeguarding our services and providing a seamless digital experience.

Compliance with Legal Obligations

Where necessary, we process your personal data to meet legal and regulatory obligations, including those relating to financial audits, record-keeping, or requests from competent authorities. This processing is based on legal obligations (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR).

Categories of Recipients

Gadgety Awards LLC does not sell personal data. However, in order to deliver our services, manage participation in our awards programs, and fulfill our legal obligations, we may share personal data with the following categories of recipients:

Internal Teams and Event Partners

Personal data (such as contact details and submission-related information) may be accessed and processed by relevant internal departments of Gadgety Awards LLC, including Awards Program Management, Marketing, Communications, and Event Coordination teams.

Where appropriate and necessary for program execution, promotion, or logistical purposes, personal data may also be shared with trusted event partners, sponsors, or affiliated collaborators involved in the organization and delivery of award-related services (legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) and (f) GDPR).

Jury Members and Judges

To facilitate the evaluation of submissions, we share relevant submission materials with authorized judges or jury members. These individuals receive only the information necessary to carry out their evaluation duties and are bound by confidentiality obligations (legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).

Service Providers and Processors

We engage carefully selected external service providers who support our operations in areas such as:

• Web and data hosting
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
  Payment processing
• Email marketing and communications
• Analytics and performance tracking

These providers act as data processors on our behalf under Art. 28 GDPR and are contractually bound to adhere to data protection obligations. In cases where service providers act as independent controllers (e.g., telecommunications or delivery services), they do so under their own privacy policies (legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

Public Recognition and Media

In the context of award announcements, media kits, or public relations, selected non-sensitive information—such as product names, brand names, or visual materials—may be made publicly available (e.g., on our website or through press releases). This is done solely for recognition purposes and only where participants have submitted such content voluntarily for public-facing use (legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) and (f) GDPR).

Legal Authorities and Advisors

Personal data may be disclosed to public authorities, courts, or legal counsel if required:

• To comply with statutory obligations, court orders, or regulatory requirements (Art. 6(1)(c) or (e) GDPR)
• To assert or defend against legal claims (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR)
• In connection with audits or legal consultations

Storage Period

Personal data collected by Gadgety Awards LLC will be stored only for as long as necessary to fulfill the respective purpose for which it was collected, or as long as is required to comply with statutory retention obligations.

In general, personal data related to award submissions, communications, or event participation will be retained for a period not exceeding 24 months following the conclusion of the relevant awards cycle, unless legal obligations require longer retention (e.g., for tax or accounting purposes under applicable commercial or financial laws).

Where the processing of personal data is based on your consent or on our legitimate interests, we will cease processing such data for those purposes upon receipt of your withdrawal of consent or a valid objection, and delete the data unless a legal exception applies.

Retention periods may also vary depending on the type of interaction:

• Data related to financial transactions may be retained for up to 10 years in accordance with legal accounting and tax requirements.
• Records of consent (such as opt-ins for marketing) may be stored for up to 3 years after the consent is withdrawn or otherwise expires, in order to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements.

In cases where no award submission, registration, or other engagement with us has occurred within a four-year period, we will routinely delete your data, provided there is no longer a legal basis for its retention.

Sharing of Personal Data

Gadgety Awards does not sell users’ personal data. However, personal data may be shared with selected categories of recipients where necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in Section 3, on the basis of contractual necessity (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR), or user consent where required (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).

In particular, personal data may be disclosed to the following recipients:

• Event Partners and Sponsors: For the purposes of coordination, delivery of awards, event logistics, or related promotional activities. Only data required for the designated purpose will be shared.
• Judging Panel and Jury Members: Submission data, including descriptions, product materials, or media assets, may be provided to individuals or organizations participating in the official evaluation process of the awards program.
• External Service Providers: Trusted third parties may be engaged to support the operation of our website and services, such as cloud hosting providers, CRM platforms, payment processors, analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics), or email delivery platforms. These service providers act as processors on our behalf and are contractually bound to handle personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
• Public Disclosures: In the event of shortlists, award announcements, or media kits, limited submission information (e.g., brand name, product name, images) may be published for public and media-facing purposes. Such disclosures will be clearly identified and will exclude sensitive or personally identifiable information not already intended for publication.
• Authorities and Legal Representatives: Where required by law, regulation, court order, or in defense of legal claims, personal data may be disclosed to relevant authorities, courts, or legal counsel. Such processing is based on legal obligation or legitimate interest.

All data sharing is conducted in a secure and limited manner in accordance with the principles of data minimization and purpose limitation.

International Data Transfers

Certain service providers, partners, and technology platforms engaged by Gadgety Awards LLC—including those providing hosting, analytics, communication, and submission management services—are located in third countries outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). Some of these jurisdictions may not offer a level of data protection equivalent to that within the EU, particularly in the absence of comprehensive data protection laws, independent supervisory authorities, or enforceable rights and remedies for data subjects.

Where personal data is transferred to such third countries, the transfer occurs only under one of the following conditions:

• Adequacy Decision: Where the European Commission has determined that the third country provides an adequate level of data protection (Art. 45 (3) GDPR).
• Appropriate Safeguards: In the absence of an adequacy decision, Gadgety Awards LLC ensures that appropriate safeguards are implemented in accordance with Art. 46 GDPR. These safeguards may include, but are not limited to, the use of the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses (Art. 46 (2) (c) GDPR), along with additional technical and organizational measures where necessary.
• Performance of a Contract or Pre-Contractual Measures: In specific cases, the transfer of personal data to third countries is necessary for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at the data subject’s request (Art. 49 (1) (b) and (c) GDPR).
• Explicit Consent: Where no adequacy decision or appropriate safeguards exist, and where the transfer is not strictly necessary for the performance of a contract, data transfers may take place on the basis of the data subject’s explicit consent, having been informed of the potential risks due to the absence of an adequate level of data protection (Art. 49 (1) (a) GDPR).

Users may request further information on international data transfers and obtain copies of applicable safeguards by contacting Gadgety Awards LLC using the contact details provided in Section 11 of this policy.

Your Data Subject Rights

As a data subject, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), subject to the conditions and limitations provided by applicable law:

• Right of Access (Art. 15 GDPR): You have the right to request confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning you is being processed, and, where that is the case, access to the personal data and related information.
• Right to Rectification (Art. 16 GDPR): You have the right to request the correction of inaccurate personal data concerning you and the completion of incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure (Art. 17 GDPR): You may request the deletion of your personal data, provided there is no legal obligation or overriding legitimate interest to retain the data.
• Right to Restriction of Processing (Art. 18 GDPR): You have the right to request the restriction of processing where certain conditions are met, for example, if you contest the accuracy of the data or object to its processing.
• Right to Data Portability (Art. 20 GDPR): Where processing is based on consent or a contract, and is carried out by automated means, you have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and to transmit that data to another controller.
• Right to Object (Art. 21 GDPR): You may object to the processing of your personal data on grounds relating to your particular situation, where the data processing is based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
• Right to Withdraw Consent (Art. 7 (3) GDPR): If processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time with future effect. The lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to the withdrawal remains unaffected.

To exercise your rights or for any privacy-related concerns, please contact us as specified in Section 11.

In addition, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in accordance with Art. 77 GDPR if you believe that the processing of your personal data infringes applicable data protection laws.

Security Measures

Gadgety Awards LLC implements appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access. These measures are designed to ensure the ongoing integrity and confidentiality of data, and are regularly reviewed and updated in accordance with industry standards and risk assessments.

Security measures include, but are not limited to:

• Controlled access to personal data;
• Encrypted data transmission and storage where appropriate;
• Firewalls and anti-malware protection;
• Role-based access controls;
• Staff training and confidentiality obligations;
• Secure data backup procedures.

Despite these efforts, please note that no method of data transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we are committed to protecting your data to the highest degree reasonably possible.

California Privacy Notice (For California Residents)

This section supplements our main Privacy Policy and applies exclusively to visitors, users, and others residing in the State of California (“consumers” or “you”).

We collect, use, share, and retain personal information as described in the main Privacy Policy. For details on categories of personal information collected, purposes of processing, sharing practices, and data retention, please refer to the relevant sections of the Privacy Policy.

Your California Privacy Rights

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), California residents have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we collect about you;
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions;
• Opt-out of the sharing of your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, if applicable;
• Not be discriminated against for exercising any of these rights.

Contact Information and Supervisory Authority

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, the processing of your personal data, or wish to exercise your rights under applicable data protection law, you may contact:

Gadgety Awards LLC
℅ EnVeritas Group, Inc. (EVG Media)
Attn: Privacy Compliance
PO BOX 5029
Greenville, SC 29606, USA
Email: privacy@gadgetyawards.com
Website: https://www.gadgetyawards.com

You also have the right to contact the relevant supervisory authority for data protection in your country of residence. For EU residents, the lead supervisory authority may be:

Berliner Beauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit
Alt-Moabit 59-61
10555 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 13889-0
Website: https://www.datenschutz-berlin.de