Mercworks Realty Web Session Protection, Data Use, and Privacy Rights Policy
Overview
This policy explains how Mercworks Realty protects user web sessions and manages data collected during visits to our website homepage. It reflects requirements under Pennsylvania law, including the Pennsylvania Breach of Personal Information Notification Act and the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, and incorporates GDPR‑ and CCPA‑style rights to provide users with enhanced transparency and control over their information.
Session Protection
- Secure Transmission: All interactions on the Mercworks Realty homepage are encrypted using industry‑standard HTTPS protocols.
- Session Integrity: Secure session tokens protect against unauthorized access and session hijacking.
- Automatic Timeouts: Inactive sessions may automatically expire to reduce risk on shared devices.
- Device & Browser Safeguards: Cookies and similar technologies support authentication, detect unusual activity, and maintain secure navigation.
Data Collected During Sessions
Mercworks Realty may collect:
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, and referring URLs.
- Usage Data: Pages viewed, search queries, click behavior, and time spent on listings.
- Voluntary Inputs: Information submitted through forms, such as property inquiries, saved searches, or account login details.
This information supports website functionality, personalization, analytics, and customer service.
Permitted Uses of Captured Data
Mercworks Realty may use collected data for:
- Website performance and optimization
- Personalized property recommendations
- Customer support and inquiry responses
- Marketing analytics and engagement measurement
- Security, fraud detection, and legal compliance
Pennsylvania‑Specific Privacy Practices
- No Unauthorized Sharing: Mercworks Realty does not sell or share personal data except with trusted service providers or when required by law.
- Truthful Representations: In compliance with Pennsylvania consumer‑protection laws, we accurately describe how data is collected and used.
- Data Minimization: Only data reasonably necessary for website functionality or business operations is collected.
- Breach Notification: If a data breach occurs involving personal information, Mercworks Realty will notify affected Pennsylvania residents as required by state law.
GDPR and CCPA Privacy Rights
While Pennsylvania does not mandate these rights, Mercworks Realty voluntarily extends the following protections to enhance user control and transparency:
Right to Know / Access
Users may request information about:
- Categories of personal data collected
- Sources of that data
- Purposes for collection
- Categories of third parties with whom data is shared
- Specific pieces of personal data held about them
Right to Correction
Users may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
Right to Deletion
Users may request deletion of personal data, subject to exceptions such as:
- Legal obligations
- Fraud prevention
- Transactional or security‑related requirements
Right to Restrict or Object to Processing (GDPR)
Users may request:
- Restrictions on how their data is used
- That certain processing activities stop, including personalized marketing
Right to Data Portability
Upon request, Mercworks Realty will provide users with a copy of their personal data in a commonly used, portable format when feasible.
Right to Opt Out of Sale or Sharing (CCPA)
Mercworks Realty does not sell personal information. If data‑sharing practices change, users will have the right to opt out of any sale or cross‑context behavioral advertising.
Right to Withdraw Consent (GDPR)
Users may withdraw consent for optional data‑collection features—such as marketing cookies—at any time.
Right to Non‑Discrimination
Mercworks Realty will not deny services, charge different prices, or provide different levels of service to users who exercise their privacy rights.
Children’s Privacy
Mercworks Realty does not knowingly collect personal information from children under applicable age thresholds. Users under 13 should not submit personal information through the website.
Terms of Use
By accessing the Mercworks Realty homepage, users agree to:
- Use the website solely for lawful real estate–related purposes
- Avoid bypassing security measures or using automated scraping tools
- Respect all intellectual property rights associated with Mercworks Realty content
- Accept that continued use of the site constitutes agreement with this policy and any updates
Policy Updates
Mercworks Realty may revise this policy to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or business practices. Updated versions will be posted with a revised effective date.