Privacy Policy

Here's the deal - we only use your information for legitimate reasons related to your case and our legal obligations. No shady stuff.

Legal Representation

This is the big one. We use your information to:

• Prepare and file applications with IRCC, Immigration and Refugee Board, or other government bodies
• Represent you in hearings, appeals, and other proceedings
• Communicate with government officials on your behalf
• Research relevant case law and precedents
• Draft legal documents and submissions
• Provide you with updates and legal advice

Administrative Stuff

• Scheduling appointments and consultations
• Sending you invoices and processing payments
• Maintaining our client files (we're legally required to keep these)
• Responding to your questions via email or phone

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

• Meeting our obligations under the Law Society of Ontario rules
• Complying with court orders or government requests (but only when legally required)
• Preventing fraud and maintaining security
• Keeping accurate records as mandated by professional regulations

We don't sell your data. Period. We're not one of those companies monetizing user information. Your data stays with us for legal purposes only.

Okay, so sometimes we need to share your info. But it's always for a good reason and we're careful about it.

Government Agencies

Kind of obvious, but we share your information with:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) when necessary
• Provincial nominee programs
• Courts and tribunals handling your case

This is literally how immigration law works - we can't represent you without submitting your info to the relevant authorities.

Third-Party Service Providers

We work with a few trusted partners who help us run our practice:

• Secure cloud storage providers (for backing up your files)
• Document translation services when needed
• Medical evaluation services for certain applications
• Accounting and billing software providers
• Secure email and communication platforms

All these folks sign agreements promising to keep your data confidential and use it only for the specific services we need.

Other Legal Professionals

Sometimes we consult with:

• Immigration consultants or lawyers we're working with on your case
• Expert witnesses (with your permission)
• Interpreters and translators

When We're Legally Required To

Look, we'll fight for your privacy, but sometimes the law doesn't give us a choice:

• If we receive a valid court order or subpoena
• When the Law Society of Ontario requires disclosure during an audit
• If there's an immediate threat to someone's safety
• To prevent fraud or criminal activity

We've seen what happens when someone's immigration documents get into the wrong hands. It's not pretty. So yeah, we take security pretty seriously around here.

Digital Security

• Encryption everywhere: Your files are encrypted both when they're stored and when we're sending them around
• Secure servers: We use Canadian-based servers with proper security certifications
• Regular backups: Your files are backed up daily to prevent data loss
• Multi-factor authentication: Our team needs more than just a password to access client files
• Firewall protection: Our network is protected against unauthorized access
• Updated software: We keep our systems patched and up-to-date

Physical Security

• Locked filing cabinets for physical documents
• Secure office space with controlled access
• Visitor sign-in procedures
• Secure document shredding for papers we no longer need
• Private meeting rooms for confidential discussions

Staff Training

Everyone on our team goes through regular training on:

• Client confidentiality requirements
• Recognizing and preventing security threats
• Proper data handling procedures
• Law Society of Ontario privacy rules

Under PIPEDA and Ontario law, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information. Here's what you can do:

Access Your Information

Want to see what we have on file about you? Just ask. We'll provide you with:

• Copies of your client file
• Details about how we've used your information
• Info about who we've shared it with

There might be some stuff we can't share (like internal legal strategy notes or privileged communications), but we'll explain why if that's the case.

Correct Inaccurate Information

If something in your file is wrong, let us know ASAP. We'll update it and notify anyone we've already shared the incorrect info with (like IRCC).

Withdraw Consent

For things that aren't legally required, you can withdraw your consent for us to use your information. Just understand this might affect our ability to represent you effectively.

Request Deletion

Here's where it gets tricky. We'd love to honor deletion requests, but:

• The Law Society requires us to keep client files for at least 10 years
• We need to maintain records for potential audits or legal claims
• Some information might be required for ongoing government proceedings

Once those retention periods expire, though, we'll securely dispose of your information.

File a Complaint

If you think we've mishandled your information, you can:

• Contact our Privacy Officer directly at info@krytharionexile.info
• File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• Report concerns to the Law Society of Ontario

We don't keep your stuff forever, but we can't just delete everything the minute your case closes either. Here's the breakdown:

Active Client Files

While we're actively working on your case, we keep everything. Pretty straightforward.

Closed Client Files

Once your case wraps up, the Law Society of Ontario requires us to keep your file for at least 10 years. This protects both you and us in case:

• You need to reference your case in the future
• There's an appeal or follow-up application
• A regulatory audit happens
• Any legal claims arise

Financial Records

Billing and payment records stick around for 7 years minimum (tax requirements, y'know).

Website Data

• Contact form submissions: 2 years unless you become a client
• Email correspondence: Kept as part of your client file
• Website analytics: Usually 26 months, anonymized after that
• Cookie data: See the cookies section below

After Retention Periods End

When we don't need your information anymore and the legal retention period is up, we:

• Securely shred physical documents
• Permanently delete digital files from our systems and backups
• Ensure our third-party providers do the same

Alright, let's talk about cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind (though those would be nice right about now).

What Cookies We Use

What We Don't Do

• We don't use advertising cookies or sell your browsing data
• We don't do creepy retargeting that follows you around the internet
• We don't share cookie data with social media platforms
• We don't track your behavior on other websites