Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy


Merakii LLC, operated by Jillian Houghton, LPC (“company”, “we”, “us”), respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information you provide through www.jillianhoughton.com (the “website”). By using this website, you agree to this policy. If you don’t agree, please stop using the site.

We may update this privacy policy from time to time, and by continuing to use the website after changes are posted, you accept those changes.

Children’s Privacy
We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. The website’s content is intended for individuals over 18 years of age. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will promptly delete that data. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us immediately.

Comments and Social Media
If you leave a comment on the website, the comment and its metadata will be stored indefinitely to recognize and approve follow-up comments automatically. Your name, email, and website information will not be shared with third parties and may be used to communicate with you directly.

Our website includes options to share content on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Please note that if you choose to interact with us via social media, you are voluntarily sharing personal information that may become public. We have no control over how that information is used by others and assume no liability for any misuse.

What Information We Collect and How It Is Used
When you interact with our website, we may collect personal information such as your name, email address, phone number, and payment details when you make a purchase. We may also collect information you provide when signing up for newsletters, leaving comments, or participating in surveys.

This data is used to:

  • Personalize your experience on our website

  • Improve our products and services

  • Process transactions

  • Provide customer support

  • Send marketing communications and promotions, including offers from affiliates and partners (with no extra cost to you)

Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect data like your IP address, browser type, and browsing activity. This helps us analyze website traffic and improve performance. For more details on how Google handles your data, refer to Google’s Privacy and Terms.

Use of Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your computer when you visit a website. We use cookies to enhance your experience, track website analytics, and remember your preferences. If you leave a comment, you can opt-in to save your name and email in cookies for future visits.

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but doing so may limit some website features.

Use of Web Beacons and Pixels
In addition to cookies, third parties may use web beacons (also known as clear GIFs, web bugs, or pixel tags) on our website. These are small graphic files that track your use of the site to gather data on user behavior. This information is primarily used by advertising networks to customize ads based on your interests and actions.

We may also use social media pixels (from Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) to gather information about your interactions with the site. These pixels help us with promotions, conversion tracking, remarketing, and targeted advertising.

For example, you may see our ads on platforms like Facebook or YouTube after visiting our website, as third-party platforms use their own tracking technologies to deliver targeted ads. You can manage your ad preferences through those third-party platforms.

Third-Party Links and Content
Our website may include links to third-party websites, products, or services. Once you leave our site by clicking on a third-party link, this privacy policy no longer applies. We are not responsible for how those third parties collect, use, or share your information.

Additionally, embedded content (videos, images, ads, etc.) from third parties may behave as if you were visiting those external sites directly. These sites may collect your data, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interactions with the content—especially if you're logged into your account with those platforms.

We also use Google AdSense and other third-party advertising services on our website. Google and other third-party vendors use cookies to serve ads based on your past visits to this site. You can adjust your Google ad preferences by reviewing their Privacy Policy and ad settings.

We have no control over these third-party sites or services, and you should review their privacy policies directly. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk.

Disclosure of Your Information
We generally do not share your personal information with third parties unless you give consent. However, in certain circumstances, we may disclose your data:

  • Trusted Third-Party Service Providers: We may share your information with service providers (e.g., hosting partners, email marketing platforms) who assist in operating the website. These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential.

  • Business Contractors: We may disclose your information to contractors or third parties who help us run the business, but only to the extent necessary for them to provide those services. They are also bound by confidentiality agreements.

  • Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations, such as responding to copyright infringement lawsuits or other legal claims related to the website.

  • Business Transactions: In the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity under the terms of this privacy policy.

Email Marketing
By opting into our email list, you agree to receive newsletters, updates, and promotional materials related to the website. We keep your email address confidential and will not share or sell your information, except as outlined in this privacy policy.

For individuals in the European Union, you will only receive emails from us if you affirmatively consent to receive them when opting in for free content or making a purchase. For those outside the EU, subscribing to our email list will happen automatically when you opt-in to receive free products or services or make a purchase.

You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time by following the opt-out instructions in the emails.

OPT-OUT

We comply with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and do not engage in spamming or send misleading information. If you wish to no longer receive communications from us, you may unsubscribe by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email we send you, or by contacting us directly.

For communications from third-party websites, please contact them directly to unsubscribe or opt-out from their communications.

We also comply with the GDPR, as does the email marketing service we use to collect your data.

GDPR VISITOR RIGHTS

If you are located in the European Union (EU) or the United Kingdom (UK), you have the rights listed below under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

  • We will retain any information you provide until one of the following occurs:

    • You request its deletion via our web page contact form. Please note that this may result in losing access to paid or free content previously provided to you.

    • We cease using our current data providers.

    • The Company decides to discontinue its services or business.

    • The data is no longer required for service, becomes too costly to maintain, or is deemed outdated.

  • You have the right to:

    • Access the personal data we store about you.

    • Rectify or erase your personal data.

    • Seek restrictions on the processing of your data. When restricted, your data can be stored but not processed further.

    • Object to the processing of your data in certain situations, including direct marketing, profiling, scientific research, or legitimate interest.

    • Portability of your data, meaning you can request and transfer your personal data to another controller.

    • Withdraw consent at any time. Withdrawing consent does not affect the legality of processing based on prior consent.

    • Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority related to GDPR.

We only request the information necessary for entering into a contract with you and will not require consent for unnecessary processing as a condition for contract entry.

LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING DATA UNDER THE GDPR

Under the GDPR, we process your data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Consent: When you provide clear consent for specific purposes.

  • Contractual Necessity: When processing is essential to fulfill a contract with you.

  • Legal Obligation: When processing is necessary to comply with the law (e.g., tax records).

  • Vital Interests: When processing is required to protect your life or health.

  • Public Interest: When processing is necessary for tasks in the public interest or official functions.

  • Legitimate Interests: When processing is necessary to further our legitimate interests (e.g., marketing).

YOUR STATE PRIVACY RIGHTS

Certain states in the U.S. provide additional privacy rights to residents. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and Utah residents may:

  • Confirm if we process their personal information.

  • Access and delete certain personal information.

  • Opt-out of personal data processing for targeted advertising and sales.

Additionally, residents of California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Virginia have rights to:

  • Correct inaccuracies in their personal information.

  • Opt-out of profiling used for legal decisions or similarly significant effects.

Nevada residents have limited rights to opt out of the sale of certain personal information. We currently do not sell data that triggers Nevada's opt-out requirements.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via our website contact form with your name, email, and mailing address.

CALIFORNIA CONSUMER PRIVACY ACT (CCPA) AND CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT (CPRA)

If you are a California resident, your rights under the CCPA and CPRA include:

  • The right to know the categories of personal information we have collected, sold, or disclosed about you.

  • The right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of your personal information.

  • The right to access your personal information within 30 days of a request.

  • The right to correct inaccuracies and request the deletion of your personal information.

  • The right to data portability.

  • The right to equal service and no discrimination for exercising your rights.

  • The right to limit the use of your sensitive personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, submit a verifiable request through our website or via email at [contact email].

CATEGORIES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED

The types of personal information we collect and how we use it have been described above. Under the CCPA/CPRA, we may collect the following categories:

  • Identifiers (e.g., name, address, email).

  • Protected classifications (e.g., age, gender).

  • Commercial information (e.g., use of products/services).

  • Internet/network information (e.g., IP address, browser information).

  • Geolocation data.

  • Sensory data (e.g., audio, photos).

  • Employment information (e.g., job history).

  • Inferences (e.g., preferences, characteristics).

We do not collect biometric or educational information, nor do we sell your personal information.

DATA RETENTION

We retain your information as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law. Data may be kept longer for ongoing services, legal compliance, dispute resolution, or enforcement of agreements.

SECURITY

We take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. By using this website, you agree to hold us harmless for any security breaches beyond our control.

For purchases, third-party vendors handle transactions, and any information provided during checkout is managed by them.

PRIVACY POLICY UPDATES

This policy is effective as of September 25, 2024, and may be updated periodically. Please revisit this page to stay informed of future updates. Continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of any updates.