Privacy Policy for AZH Consulting Corp

Effective Date: July 01, 2025

AZH Consulting Corp (“we,” “us,” or “our”), a New York-based, DBE, MBE, and WBE certified firm, is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information obtained through our website, https://azhconsulting.com/ (the “Website”), and through our services, including IT consulting, software development, project management, cost estimation, scheduling, and staffing solutions. This policy complies with applicable data protection laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA), and New York state regulations.

1. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected from users of the Website, clients engaging our services, and individuals interacting with us via email, phone, contact forms, or other channels. It covers website visitors, prospective clients, current clients, and job applicants, primarily in the United States, with limited applicability to California residents who apply for jobs. Additional rights may apply based on your location, as outlined below. The Website targets businesses, contractors, job seekers, and public agencies (city, state, federal) in industries such as construction, infrastructure, healthcare, and government.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address provided through contact forms, email, phone, or during client onboarding and service inquiries.
• Professional Information: Job title, company name, and other business-related details shared in connection with our IT consulting, software development, project management, cost estimation, scheduling, or staffing services.
• Job Application Information: Résumés, cover letters, and other details submitted through the “Jobs” section of our Website.
• Correspondence: Information contained in emails, messages, or other communications sent to us.
• Payment Information: Billing details, such as credit card or bank account information, processed securely through third-party payment processors for service fees.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Information about your interaction with the Website, including IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, pages visited, referral sources, and time spent on the Website.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We may use cookies and similar technologies (e.g., pixels) to enhance user experience, analyze Website performance, and deliver personalized content. Cookies include session cookies (temporary) and persistent cookies (stored for a set period). You may manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool, if available.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Analytics Providers: We may use third-party services, such as Google Analytics, to collect aggregated data about Website usage, including page views, click patterns, and referral sources.
• Social Media Platforms: Information from platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram when you interact with our profiles or follow links to our Website.

3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Information

We process personal information based on the following legal grounds, as applicable:

• Contractual Necessity: To perform contracts for our services (e.g., delivering IT consulting or processing payments) or to take steps at your request prior to entering a contract.
• Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent, such as for marketing communications or non-essential cookies.
• Legitimate Interests: For purposes such as improving our Website, analyzing user behavior, promoting our services, or preventing fraud, provided these interests do not override your rights.
• Legal Obligations: To comply with laws, such as tax reporting or responding to lawful requests.

4. How We Use Your Information

We may use personal information for the following purposes:

• To provide and manage our services, including IT consulting, software development, project management, cost estimation, scheduling, and staffing solutions.
• To respond to inquiries, process service requests, and communicate with clients or prospective clients, including via emails based on bidders’ lists, industry major players, prospective bidders, or opportunities.
• To process payments securely through third-party payment processors.
• To manage job applications submitted through the Website.
• To improve the Website’s functionality, content, and user experience through analytics.
• To send marketing communications, such as newsletters or service updates, where you have consented or where permitted by law.
• To analyze Website usage and performance using aggregated data.
• To comply with legal obligations, such as tax reporting or responding to legal processes.
• To protect the security and integrity of our Website and services, including fraud prevention and cybersecurity measures.

5. Disclosure of Personal Information

We do not share your personal information with third parties except as follows:

• Service Providers: Third-party vendors providing services such as payment processing, website hosting, cloud storage, analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), or email delivery. These providers are bound by contracts to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.
• Legal Authorities: When required by law, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or regulatory request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to a successor entity, subject to equivalent privacy protections. We do not sell your personal information or share it with third parties such as staffing agencies, government clients, or other entities for marketing or other purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement robust technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These measures include encryption, secure servers, access controls, regular security assessments, and employee training. In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities as required by applicable laws, such as the New York SHIELD Act.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations (e.g., tax record retention).
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time for processing based on consent, without affecting prior lawful processing.

For California residents under the CCPA, you have the right to:

• Know the categories of personal information collected, used, or disclosed.
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.
• Opt out of the sale of personal information (not applicable, as we do not sell personal information).
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights.

To exercise your rights, contact us at contact@azhconsulting.com or +1-516-252-1428. We will respond within the timeframes required by law (e.g., 45 days for CCPA requests). We may require identity verification to process your request.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, analyze Website performance, and deliver personalized content. Cookies may include:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for Website functionality (e.g., navigation).
• Analytics Cookies: To analyze Website usage (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Marketing Cookies: To deliver personalized advertisements, where consented. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool (if available). For more details, refer to our Cookie Policy [link to Cookie Policy].

9. Children’s Privacy

Our Website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided personal information, we will delete it promptly, in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

10. Third-Party Links

Our Website contains links to third-party websites, such as social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. Retention of Personal Information

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce agreements. For example:

• Client data is retained for the duration of the client relationship and for 08 years thereafter to comply with tax and legal requirements.
• Job application data is retained for one year or as required by employment laws.
• Website usage data is retained for up to 24 months for analytics purposes.
• Marketing data is retained until you withdraw consent or opt out.

12. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” For material changes, we will notify you via a prominent notice on the Website, where required by law. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

AZH Consulting Corp
80 Broad Street, Suite #530
New York, NY 10004
Email: contact@azhconsulting.com
Phone: +1-516-252-1428

By using our Website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. Our commitment to diversity and excellence, as reflected in our DBE, MBE, and WBE certifications, extends to our responsible handling of your personal information.