Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Echelon Direct handles information connected with this public website, business inquiries, and related conversations. Separate agreements, notices, and provider policies may govern merchant applications, payment services, equipment, banking relationships, integrations, support, and AutoPilot engagements.

1. Scope

This policy applies to information handled through this website and the contact channels identified on it. It does not replace the terms or privacy notices of a processor, bank, equipment provider, integration partner, or other third party whose services a merchant chooses to use.

2. Information You Provide

Depending on how you interact with us, you may provide your name, business name, telephone number, contact preferences, business needs, current systems, merchant-services questions, or other information you choose to share. If you later pursue a product or service, additional application, ownership, underwriting, banking, equipment, integration, or support information may be requested under separate disclosures and agreements.

3. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the website, our hosting and security infrastructure may process technical information such as IP address, browser and device type, operating system, requested pages, referring page, timestamps, and diagnostic or security events. This information is used to deliver, protect, troubleshoot, and measure the website.

4. Cookies, Local Storage, and Similar Technologies

The current public website does not use third-party advertising cookies. The AutoPilot demonstration can store a first name in your browser’s local storage solely to personalize that browser-only demonstration. That value stays in the browser unless you clear it or use the demonstration’s reset control. Hosting and security providers may use essential technologies needed to operate and protect their services.

5. How Information Is Used

We may use information to:

• respond to inquiries and route a request to the right person;
• evaluate fit for merchant services, equipment, or technology;
• prepare and support applications, installations, and integrations;
• operate, secure, maintain, and improve the website;
• prevent misuse, fraud, or security incidents;
• comply with law and enforce applicable agreements; and
• maintain business and support records.

6. How Information May Be Disclosed

Information may be disclosed when reasonably necessary to provide a requested service, operate the business, protect rights and safety, comply with law, or complete a business transaction. Recipients may include service providers, professional advisers, processors, sponsoring or acquiring banks, equipment providers, integration partners, compliance and underwriting parties, and government or legal authorities where applicable.

7. Service Providers and Business Partners

We may rely on companies that provide hosting, communications, analytics, security, application processing, underwriting, equipment, banking, payment processing, integration, compliance, and customer-support services. Their access depends on the work they perform, the services a merchant requests, and the governing agreements. Third parties may process information under their own notices and legal obligations.

8. Merchant Applications and Service Relationships

Merchant-services availability can depend on application review, identity and business verification, underwriting, processor and bank requirements, equipment compatibility, integration access, and contractual approval. Information supplied for those purposes may be handled by the relevant provider or partner as described in the applicable application, contract, and privacy notice.

9. Data Retention

Information is retained for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including inquiry handling, service delivery, support, recordkeeping, dispute resolution, security, fraud prevention, and legal or contractual obligations. Retention depends on the nature of the information and the relationship involved.

10. Data Security

We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information in light of its nature and the systems involved. No storage, transmission, or security measure can eliminate every risk, and no method is guaranteed to be completely secure.

11. Privacy Choices and State Rights

Depending on where you live and the law that applies, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, or information about certain uses or disclosures of personal information. Exceptions and identity-verification requirements may apply. You may also manage browser storage through your browser settings and communicate contact preferences directly to us.

To make a privacy request, use the Contact page or call 602.373.5300. Please describe the request and the relationship or interaction it concerns. We may need information sufficient to verify identity and locate relevant records.

12. California Privacy Disclosures

California law may provide eligible residents with rights concerning categories and specific pieces of personal information, sources, purposes, recipients, correction, deletion, and certain sale or sharing practices. Whether a particular right applies depends on the law, the information, and the relationship. We will evaluate a verified request under the law that applies and will not unlawfully discriminate for exercising an applicable privacy right.

13. Browser Signals and Global Privacy Control

The current public website does not use third-party advertising trackers or provide an online mechanism for selling or sharing browsing data for cross-context behavioral advertising. It therefore does not change the browser experience in response to a Global Privacy Control signal. If website practices change in a way that makes an opt-out preference signal applicable, we will update our process and this policy.

14. Children’s Privacy

This website and Echelon Direct’s merchant services are intended for businesses and adults. They are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly seek personal information from children under 13 through this website.

15. Third-Party Websites and Services

Links or integrations may lead to services controlled by other organizations. Their privacy, security, and content practices are governed by their own terms and notices. Review those materials before providing information to a third party.

16. Communications and Consent

If you ask us to contact you, we may use the contact method you provide for that request. Any consent required for marketing, automated communications, or text messages will be addressed through the applicable interaction or agreement. You may communicate a preference to stop optional communications, subject to messages needed for an active service or transaction.

17. Policy Updates

We may update this policy as the website, services, providers, or legal requirements change. The effective and last-updated dates at the top identify the version posted on this page.

18. Contact

Privacy questions and requests may be submitted through the Contact page or by calling 602.373.5300.