Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025

Philippines Diving & Marine ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our diving services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you interact with our diving platform, we may collect:

• Diving Inquiries: Name, email, diving experience level, preferred locations, and training interests
• Course Bookings: Contact details, certification levels, medical information, and emergency contacts
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Email address and diving interests
• Guide Downloads: Email address and specific diving guide requests
• Contact Forms: Name, email, message content, and diving experience details

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, dive sites browsed, courses explored, and navigation patterns
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address for dive site recommendations
• Referral Information: Source website or search engine
• Cookies and Tracking: Browser fingerprinting for analytics and personalization

1.3 Third-Party Information

• Dive Operators: Course availability, pricing, and certification records from partner operators
• Certification Agencies: PADI, SSI, or other certification verification data
• Accommodation Partners: Resort and liveaboard information for diving packages
• DAN Philippines: Diving insurance and emergency contact information

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Primary Purposes

• Service Delivery: Providing diving course information, site recommendations, and operator connections
• Safety Communication: Sending diving safety updates, weather alerts, and emergency information
• Personalization: Tailoring dive site and course recommendations based on experience level and location
• Training Coordination: Facilitating diving courses and certification programs
• Analytics: Understanding user behavior to improve diving content and safety information

2.2 Marketing and Promotional Uses

• Sending emails about new dive sites, course offerings, and special packages (with opt-out)
• Sharing diving safety tips and marine conservation information
• Partner promotions for diving equipment and marine activities

2.3 Legal and Safety Purposes

• Complying with legal obligations under Philippines maritime and tourism law
• Protecting against fraud and security threats
• Enforcing our Terms and Conditions
• Responding to emergency situations and dive incidents when legally required
• Coordinating with DAN Philippines and Coast Guard for safety purposes

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 We Share Information With:

• Dive Operators: Contact information when you inquire about specific courses or sites (with consent)
• Certification Agencies: Training records for PADI, SSI, and other certification programs
• Emergency Services: DAN Philippines, Coast Guard, and medical services during emergencies
• Accommodation Partners: Booking details for diving resort and liveaboard packages
• Service Providers: Email marketing platforms, analytics services, hosting providers
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect safety

3.2 We Do NOT:

• Sell your personal information to third parties
• Share your diving medical information without explicit consent
• Publicly display your certification levels or dive logs
• Use your data for purposes incompatible with this policy

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and dive site navigation
• Analytics Cookies: Understanding popular dive sites and course preferences
• Preference Cookies: Remembering your experience level and preferred diving locations
• Fingerprinting: Browser fingerprinting for fraud prevention and analytics

Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality and dive site recommendations.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure server infrastructure and regular security audits
• Access controls limiting who can view diving records and personal information
• Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures
• Compliance with diving industry security standards

6. Your Rights Under Philippines Law

Under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your diving records and personal information we hold
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate diving certifications or contact information
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to safety and legal obligations)
• Object: Object to processing for direct marketing purposes
• Data Portability: Receive your diving records in a structured, commonly used format
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for diving data processing at any time
• Lodge Complaint: File a complaint with the National Privacy Commission

To exercise these rights, contact us at: privacy@philippines-diving.com

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the Philippines, including:

• United States (cloud hosting and email services)
• European Union (analytics and CDN services)
• Singapore (backup and disaster recovery)
• Australia (diving certification agency servers)

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through standard contractual clauses and compliance certifications.

8. Children's Privacy

Our diving services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Diving training for minors requires parental consent and supervision. If you believe we have collected information from a child, contact us immediately for deletion.

9. Data Retention

We retain your information for:

• Newsletter Subscribers: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Diving Inquiries: 3 years for customer service and safety follow-up
• Course Records: 7 years for certification verification and safety compliance
• Dive Logs: Permanent retention for safety and certification purposes (anonymized after 10 years)
• Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; identifiable data for 26 months

10. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website contains links to dive operators, equipment suppliers, and other third-party services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before sharing information.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Significant changes will be communicated via:

• Email notification to newsletter subscribers
• Prominent notice on our website
• Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of this policy

12. Contact Information

Data Protection Officer:
Philippines Diving & Marine
Email: privacy@philippines-diving.com
Response Time: Within 15 business days

National Privacy Commission (Philippines):
5th Floor, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)
Vicente Sotto Street, Pasay City, Metro Manila 1300
Email: info@privacy.gov.ph
Website: www.privacy.gov.ph

13. Special Provisions for Diving Services

13.1 Diving Medical Information

Medical information collected for diving safety is subject to additional protections. We may share medical data only with certified dive operators, medical professionals, and emergency services as required for safety.

13.2 Certification Records

Diving certification information is maintained for verification purposes and may be shared with certification agencies, dive operators, and insurance providers as necessary.

13.3 Emergency Contact Data

Emergency contact information is used solely for safety purposes and may be shared with DAN Philippines, Coast Guard, and emergency medical services during dive incidents.

14. Your Choices and Controls

• Email Preferences: Unsubscribe links in every marketing email
• Cookie Settings: Browser controls and our cookie preference center
• Account Deletion: Request complete account and data deletion via email
• Marketing Opt-Out: Opt out of promotional communications while keeping safety updates
• Data Access: Request a copy of your diving records and certifications at any time

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