Privacy Policy

Our Fundamental Mission

Janara Nguon is the legal entity responsible for your personal information (the "Data Controller"). This document is our operational plan for protecting your privacy in compliance with Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (Law 25), as amended, and applicable Canadian federal privacy principles.

1. Information We Collect

Minimization principle, we collect only what the mission requires.

• Contact information: email address when you subscribe to the Field Manual, download free resources, or join our mailing list (processed via Kit / ConvertKit).
• Commerce data: order identifiers, shipping details, and transaction metadata when you purchase merch or digital products via Stripe. We never store complete credit card numbers.
• Analytics data: anonymous usage telemetry (pages visited, referrers, device type) via Google Analytics 4, only after explicit cookie consent where required.
• Communications: messages you send us directly by email.
• Operator data: authentication tokens and upload metadata for authorized Field Console publishing (not applicable to ordinary visitors).

We do not collect financial account credentials, government ID, or health records through this website.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Delivering free resources, newsletters, and transactional emails you requested.
• Fulfilling store orders and providing customer support.
• Improving site performance, content relevance, and security.
• Detecting fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access attempts.
• Complying with legal obligations in Quebec and Canada.

3. Security and Storage

Cross-border transfers (Law 25)

Although we are based in Quebec City, Quebec, our cloud service providers (Vercel, Google, Stripe, Kit) may process or store data on servers located in the United States or other jurisdictions. By using the Service, you consent to these transfers necessary for infrastructure robustness. We require subprocessors to maintain appropriate safeguards.

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and encryption at rest on our infrastructure providers.
• Hosting on Vercel (edge and serverless) with media stored on Vercel Blob when applicable.
• Email and marketing automation via Kit (ConvertKit).
• Payments processed exclusively by Stripe, PCI-compliant; we never see your full card number.
• Logical isolation between operational environments.

4. The "No Sale" Doctrine

We will NEVER sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for advertising purposes. Affiliate links on the store may earn commissions if you purchase through them, but that does not involve selling your data.

5. Third-Party Services

• Hosting & deployment: Vercel (USA / global edge).
• Analytics: Google Analytics 4 (USA), activated only with consent where required.
• Email & lead capture: Kit / ConvertKit (USA).
• Payments: Stripe (USA / Canada).
• Print-on-demand fulfillment: Printify and partners (when applicable to merch orders).
• Affiliate programs: Amazon, REI, and other partners linked from the store.

6. Your Rights (Law 25, Quebec)

As a user, and specifically as a Quebec resident, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right of access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right of rectification: correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to deletion ("right to be forgotten"): request erasure, subject to legal retention obligations.
• Right to portability: receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
• Right to withdraw consent: stop marketing emails via unsubscribe links; disable non-essential cookies.
• Right to lodge a complaint with the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec (CAI) if you believe your rights have been violated.

7. Privacy Officer

For any questions regarding the protection of your personal information or to exercise your rights, contact our designated Privacy Officer:

• Name: Janara Nguon
• Title: Founder & Privacy Officer (Personne responsable de la protection des renseignements personnels)
• Email: privacy@survivebackpacking.com
• Mailing address: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

8. Cookie Protocol

• Essential cookies: required for security, locale preference, and core site function, cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies: Google Analytics 4, we request explicit consent before activation where required by Law 25.
• You may change your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings.

9. Children

The Service is not directed at children under 14. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact privacy@survivebackpacking.com and we will delete it promptly.

10. Updates

This policy may evolve as our missions and legal obligations change. Material updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of survivebackpacking.com constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.