Section 8 Tools is committed to transparent data handling practices. This policy explains how long we retain different types of personal data, why we keep it, and how we securely dispose of it when no longer needed.

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Below is our standard retention schedule for different types of data:

We retain data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contractual Obligations: To fulfill our service agreements with users
• Legal Compliance: To meet tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements
• Legitimate Interests: For fraud prevention, security, and business operations
• Consent: Where you have provided specific consent for data processing
• Dispute Resolution: To resolve conflicts and enforce our terms

When you delete your account or request data deletion:

• Immediate Actions: Account deactivated, public profile removed
• 30 Days: Personal data anonymized or deleted from active systems
• 90 Days: Data removed from backup systems and archives
• Exceptions: Some data may be retained longer for legal compliance

Certain information may be retained in anonymized form for analytics and service improvement purposes.

When data reaches the end of its retention period, we ensure secure disposal through:

• Secure deletion using industry-standard data wiping techniques
• Physical destruction of storage media when necessary
• Verification that data cannot be recovered after deletion
• Documentation of disposal processes for audit purposes
• Third-party data processors must follow the same disposal standards

Data may be retained beyond standard periods in the following situations:

• Legal Holds: When required by court orders or legal proceedings
• Ongoing Investigations: For fraud, security, or policy violation investigations
• Regulatory Requirements: When laws require longer retention periods
• Active Disputes: Until resolution of conflicts or claims
• Safety Concerns: For protecting user safety and preventing harm

We will notify affected users when extended retention is necessary, where legally permissible.

We follow data minimization principles to reduce retention burdens:

• Collecting only necessary data for specified purposes
• Regular review and purging of unnecessary data
• Anonymizing data when personal identifiers are no longer needed
• Implementing automatic deletion for time-sensitive data
• Training staff on data minimization best practices

When we use third-party services, we ensure they follow appropriate retention practices:

• Contractual requirements for data retention and deletion
• Regular audits of third-party retention practices
• Immediate notification requirements for data breaches
• Alignment with our retention schedule and policies
• Secure data transfer and storage protocols

You have the right to know what data we retain about you:

• Request a complete list of your retained data
• Understand the retention period for each data type
• Know the legal basis for retaining your data
• Request early deletion where legally permissible
• Receive updates about changes to retention practices

Contact us at section8tools@gmail.com to exercise these rights.

For data transferred internationally, we ensure:

• Compliance with destination country retention laws
• Appropriate safeguards for international transfers
• Coordination of retention periods across jurisdictions
• Respect for data subject rights regardless of location
• Secure deletion procedures for international data

We regularly review and update our data retention practices:

• Annual review of retention periods and legal requirements
• Updates based on changes in applicable laws
• Improvements based on technology and best practices
• User notification of significant policy changes
• Documentation of all policy revisions

For questions about data retention or to exercise your rights:

• Email: section8tools@gmail.com
• Subject Line: "Data Retention Inquiry"
• Business Name: Section 8 Tools
• Response Time: Within 30 days of request

We will provide clear information about our retention practices and help you understand your rights regarding your personal data.