Privacy Policy

anyflatsurface.ca Last updated: February 2026

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At anyflatsurface.ca, I respect your privacy and am committed to protecting the personal information you share with me. This policy explains what information I collect, why I collect it, and how it is handled — in plain language, as required under Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact me at: joyceeffinger@gmail.com

What Information I Collect

Depending on how you interact with this website, I may collect the following:

Information you provide directly:

  • Your name and email address (e.g., when you use a contact form or sign up for a newsletter)

  • Your mailing address and phone number (e.g., if you commission a piece or purchase artwork requiring shipping)

  • Messages or inquiries you send me

Information collected automatically:

  • Your IP address and general location

  • Browser type, device type, and operating system

  • Pages visited and time spent on the site

  • Referring website (how you found anyflatsurface.ca)

This automatically collected data is gathered through website analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) and standard web server logs.

Why I Collect This Information

I collect personal information only for the following purposes:

  • To respond to your inquiries or commission requests

  • To process and fulfill orders or sales, including arranging shipping

  • To send newsletters or updates about my work, exhibitions, or new pieces — but only if you have opted in

  • To understand how visitors use this website so I can improve it

  • To comply with any applicable legal obligations

Consent

By submitting a contact form, making a purchase, or signing up for a mailing list on this website, you are providing your informed consent for me to collect and use your personal information for the purposes described above. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting me directly, though this may affect my ability to provide certain services (such as completing a commission).

Sharing Your Information

I do not sell your personal information to anyone, ever.

I may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help me operate this website and conduct my business, including:

  • Payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, Square) — to securely process transactions

  • Shipping carriers (e.g., Canada Post) — to deliver purchased artwork

  • Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp) — to manage newsletters, if applicable

  • Web hosting and analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics, my hosting provider) — to run and improve the website

Each of these providers has their own privacy policy and handles your data according to their own terms. I only share what is necessary for the specific service being provided.

I may also disclose information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal request.

Cookies

This website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to help the site function properly and to collect analytics data. Cookies allow me to understand traffic patterns and improve your experience on the site.

You can disable cookies through your browser settings at any time, though some features of the site may not function as intended if you do so. You can also opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

How Long I Keep Your Information

I retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. For example, records related to sales transactions may be kept for up to seven years for tax and accounting purposes. Mailing list subscriptions are kept until you unsubscribe.

How I Protect Your Information

I take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes using SSL encryption on this website (the padlock in your browser's address bar) and working only with reputable third-party service providers who maintain appropriate security standards.

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and I cannot guarantee absolute security, but I am committed to using best practices to protect your information.

Your Rights

Under PIPEDA, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal information I hold about you

  • Correct any inaccurate or incomplete information

  • Withdraw consent for the use of your personal information (subject to legal or contractual limitations)

  • Make a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

To exercise any of these rights, please contact me at: joyceeffinger@gmail.com

If you are not satisfied with my response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca or 1-800-282-1376.

Changes to This Policy

I may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in my practices or legal requirements. The date at the top of this page will always reflect the most recent version. I encourage you to review this page periodically.

Contact

For any privacy-related questions, requests, or concerns:

Joyce Effinger anyflatsurface.ca joyceeffinger@gmail.com

This privacy policy applies to the website anyflatsurface.ca and does not cover any third-party websites that may be linked from this site.