Privacy Policy

Who we are

Rating Matters ("we", "us", "our") operates the website www.rating-matters.com and provides AI-powered marketing services to local businesses. We are headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. This Privacy Policy is provided for general information only and may not address every situation or jurisdiction.

• Data controller: Rating Matters
• Address: Zurich, Switzerland

Cookies and tracking technologies

We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate our website and measure performance. Your use of the website constitutes acceptance of cookies to the extent permitted by your browser settings. We are not responsible for cookies set by third-party services or browsers.

• Essential cookies — generally required for the site to function.
• Analytics cookies — used to measure traffic and behavior anonymously via Google Analytics.
• You may clear or refuse cookies in your browser settings at your own discretion.

Google Analytics

We may use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to collect anonymous usage data. Google Analytics uses cookies to gather this information. Data is processed by Google LLC under its own privacy framework, over which we have no control. We are not responsible for Google's processing of your data.

• Aggregated, anonymized usage data may be shared with Google for performance measurement.
• Google's use of this data is governed by Google's own privacy policy and terms.
• You can review Google's privacy policy and opt out of Google Analytics at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

What personal data we collect

We endeavor to collect only the personal data reasonably necessary to respond to inquiries, deliver our services, and improve our website. To the best of our knowledge, we do not sell personal data to third parties. We are not responsible for data you voluntarily submit to third-party platforms linked from our site.

• Contact form — your name, email address, business name and message.
• Application forms (free website, Best of the Best, demo) — business details, contact information, and links you provide.
• Google login — when you sign in with Google, we may receive your name and email address.
• Analytics — anonymized or pseudonymized usage data collected via Google Analytics.

Your rights — GDPR (European Union)

Where the GDPR applies, individuals in the European Economic Area may have certain rights regarding their personal data, subject to applicable legal requirements and exceptions. You may request to exercise these rights through our contact page. We will respond in accordance with our legal obligations, subject to applicable exemptions.

• Right of access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you, where applicable.
• Right to rectification — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to erasure — request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention obligations.
• Right to restrict processing — request limitation of how we use your data.
• Right to data portability — request your data in a structured format, where technically feasible.
• Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Right to withdraw consent — at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

Legal basis for processing (GDPR)

Where the GDPR applies, we endeavor to process personal data only where a lawful basis under Article 6 of the GDPR exists.

• Consent — when you submit a form or enable analytics cookies.
• Contract — when we deliver services you have requested.
• Legitimate interest — to respond to inquiries and improve our services, where balanced against your interests.
• Legal obligation — where required by applicable law.

Your rights — CCPA / CPRA (California, USA)

Where the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) apply, California residents may have certain rights regarding their personal information. To our knowledge, we do not sell personal data and do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. Rights are subject to applicable legal definitions and exceptions.

• Right to know — request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, subject to legal limits.
• Right to delete — request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Right to correct — request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to opt out of sale — we do not sell your data, so no opt-out is needed.
• Right to non-discrimination — equal service regardless of exercising your rights, as required by law.
• To exercise these rights, contact us through our contact page.

Data retention

We endeavor to keep personal data only as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Retention periods may vary based on legal, operational, and record-keeping requirements. We are not liable for data retained by third parties such as Google.

• Form submissions — generally retained while your inquiry or application is active and for a reasonable period thereafter.
• Account data — kept while your account is active; deletion may be requested subject to legal obligations.
• Analytics — aggregated and anonymized data may be kept longer for trend analysis.

Children's privacy

Our services are intended for businesses and professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will endeavor to delete it to the extent permitted by law.

Third-party links and services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services (such as Google, social media platforms, and advertising networks) that have their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Disclaimer and limitation of liability

This Privacy Policy is provided "as is" for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of completeness. We are not liable for any damages arising from the use of this website or the information provided in this policy, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Our total liability for any claims related to this policy or your personal data is limited to the extent permitted by law.

Governing law and jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Switzerland, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Zurich, Switzerland, unless otherwise required by mandatory consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction.

Changes to this policy

We may update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time, without prior notice, to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. The updated date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us through our contact page.