Privacy Policy

Summary

This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of personal information submitted by visitors and prospective clients through the official website of Protection Cell, LLC. Protection Cell, LLC is a licensed private investigations and intelligence firm operating in the State of North Dakota and nationally across the United States. This document has been prepared to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of personal information and to affirm Protection Cell, LLC’s commitment to compliance with applicable state and federal privacy and data protection law. Persons accessing this website or submitting information through its contact or intake forms are encouraged to read this Policy in its entirety prior to submitting any personal information.

1. Introduction

Protection Cell, LLC (“Protection Cell,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a professional private investigations and intelligence services firm headquartered in the State of North Dakota, providing services to clients throughout North Dakota and across the United States. Protection Cell, LLC is duly licensed and operates in strict accordance with applicable state and federal laws governing private investigative services, including but not limited to the relevant provisions of the North Dakota Century Code pertaining to private investigation licensing and the broader body of federal law governing investigative activities.

We recognize that privacy is a fundamental right. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how Protection Cell, LLC collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal information obtained through our website. The Policy applies to all individuals who access our website and to prospective clients or other persons who voluntarily submit personal information through our website’s contact forms, intake forms, or other digital communication channels.

This Policy does not govern information collected in the course of active investigative or intelligence engagements conducted on behalf of retained clients. All data gathered as part of client-directed investigative work is handled pursuant to the terms of the applicable client engagement agreement and all governing federal and state laws regulating private investigations and intelligence activities. Such investigative data is maintained under strict confidentiality protocols entirely separate from website inquiry data.

By using our website or voluntarily submitting information through it, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy and consent to the practices described herein.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Voluntarily Submitted Information

Protection Cell, LLC collects personal information only when it is voluntarily provided by the individual. Through our website’s contact and intake forms, we may collect the following categories of information:

• Full name of the prospective client or inquiry submitter
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Message or inquiry content as provided by the individual in open text fields

Submission of this information is entirely voluntary. Individuals who choose not to provide personal information may be unable to receive a response to their inquiry or initiate an intake process.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

Our website does not deploy behavioral tracking technologies, third-party advertising trackers, or persistent identification cookies for marketing or profiling purposes. To the extent that any basic, anonymized, aggregate website analytics are utilized (such as page visit counts or general traffic statistics), such data does not identify individual visitors and is used solely for the purpose of maintaining and improving website functionality. No personally identifiable information is derived from such aggregate analytics.

2.3 Sensitive Categories of Information — Not Collected

Protection Cell, LLC does not collect or solicit, through its website or intake forms, any of the following categories of sensitive personal information:

• Social Security Numbers or government-issued identification numbers
• Financial account information, credit card numbers, or banking data
• Health, medical, or biometric information
• Racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or political opinions
• Criminal history or background data

Individuals are strongly advised not to submit any sensitive personal information through the website’s contact or intake forms. Any such information inadvertently submitted will not be retained beyond the period necessary to acknowledge its receipt and direct the individual to appropriate channels.

2.4 Investigative Data — Expressly Outside Scope

For the avoidance of doubt, any personal data collected by Protection Cell, LLC in the course of conducting private investigations, intelligence operations, surveillance, background inquiries, or any other professional services on behalf of retained clients is expressly outside the scope of this Privacy Policy. Such data is governed exclusively by the relevant client agreement, applicable investigative law, and mandatory legal obligations. Website inquiry data is maintained in systems entirely separate from any investigative databases or operational records.

3. How We Use Your Information

Personal information submitted through our website is used solely for the following limited and specific purposes:

• Responding to inquiries: To review, evaluate, and respond to questions, requests for information, or expressions of interest submitted through contact or intake forms.
• Client intake and communication: To communicate with prospective clients regarding the nature of available services, scheduling of initial consultations, and intake procedures necessary to evaluate a potential engagement.
• Internal business records: To maintain accurate records of communications received, consistent with professional business record-keeping obligations applicable to a licensed investigative firm.
• Legal compliance: To fulfill any legal obligations that may require retention or disclosure of communication records, including obligations arising under applicable court orders, subpoenas, or regulatory requirements.

What We Do Not Do: Protection Cell, LLC does not sell, rent, license, or otherwise transfer personal information collected through its website to third parties for marketing purposes. We do not use website inquiry data for automated decision-making, algorithmic profiling, or any form of targeted advertising. We do not add inquiry submitters to marketing distribution lists without separate, express consent.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Protection Cell, LLC processes personal information submitted through its website on the following legal bases:

• Voluntary Consent: The individual’s act of voluntarily completing and submitting a contact or intake form constitutes informed consent to the collection and use of the submitted information for the purposes described in Section 3 of this Policy. Consent may be withdrawn at any time in accordance with Section 8.
• Legitimate Business Interest: Protection Cell, LLC has a legitimate business interest in receiving, reviewing, and responding to inquiries from prospective clients and members of the public, and in maintaining records of such communications for operational and accountability purposes. This interest does not override the privacy rights of individuals.
• Legal Obligation: In certain circumstances, processing may be required to comply with applicable law, including lawful orders from courts or regulatory authorities.

4.1 Note on North Dakota and Federal Privacy Law

The State of North Dakota does not currently maintain a comprehensive consumer data privacy statute equivalent to those enacted in certain other states. North Dakota’s primary statutory framework applicable to personal data protection at the state level is found in N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 51-30, which establishes obligations for notification in the event of a security breach involving personal information (see Section 7). Federal sector-specific privacy laws, including but not limited to the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 45), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and applicable federal investigative standards, govern the broader framework within which Protection Cell, LLC operates. Protection Cell, LLC is committed to compliance with all applicable federal and North Dakota state privacy requirements and monitors developments in this area of law on an ongoing basis.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

Protection Cell, LLC does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer personal information collected through its website to third parties, except as expressly described in this Section.

5.1 Authorized Service Providers

We may engage third-party service providers who assist in the operation of our website and internal communications infrastructure, including email hosting, web hosting, and related technical services. Such service providers are permitted to access personal information only to the extent necessary to perform their designated services on our behalf and are bound by confidentiality obligations that prohibit the use or further disclosure of personal information for any other purpose.

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal information if required to do so by applicable law, regulation, court order, subpoena, legal process, or governmental authority, or where disclosure is necessary to comply with our legal obligations as a licensed investigations firm. In such circumstances, we will disclose only the minimum amount of information necessary to satisfy the applicable legal obligation.

5.3 Protection of Rights and Safety

We reserve the right to disclose personal information where we have a good-faith belief that such disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, safety, or security of Protection Cell, LLC, our personnel, our clients, or the public, or to prevent, detect, or respond to fraud, unauthorized activity, or violations of applicable law.

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, reorganization, or other corporate transaction involving Protection Cell, LLC, personal information held by the Company may be transferred as part of such transaction, provided that the receiving entity agrees to maintain standards of protection consistent with this Policy. We will provide notice of any such transfer where required by applicable law.

5.5 Special Notice Regarding Investigative Operations

As a licensed private investigations and intelligence firm, Protection Cell, LLC maintains strict operational confidentiality protocols. Personal information submitted through the website’s inquiry and contact forms is maintained in systems and records entirely separate from any investigative databases, client case files, or operational intelligence resources. Website inquiry data is not shared with, cross-referenced against, or incorporated into any investigative database, third-party data broker systems, or law enforcement intelligence repositories.

6. Data Retention

Protection Cell, LLC retains personal information collected through website contact and intake forms for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of submission, unless a shorter or longer retention period is required by applicable law or is necessary for the purposes set forth in this Policy.

This retention period is established to:

• Preserve records of professional communications in accordance with business record-keeping standards applicable to licensed investigative firms;
• Enable follow-up communication or intake processing where an engagement has been initiated;
• Satisfy any applicable statutory, regulatory, or legal hold requirements that may arise.

Upon expiration of the applicable retention period, personal information will be securely deleted or irreversibly anonymized in a manner that prevents reconstruction or re-identification of the individual. Secure deletion procedures are employed for all digital records containing personal information.

Individuals who wish to request deletion of their information prior to the expiration of the standard retention period may do so in accordance with the rights described in Section 8 of this Policy. Such requests are subject to any overriding legal retention obligations.

7. Data Security

Protection Cell, LLC employs industry-standard technical and organizational security measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction. These measures include, but are not limited to:

• Encryption in transit: Personal information transmitted between the user’s browser and our website is protected using secure socket layer (SSL/TLS) encryption protocols.
• Access controls: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel and contractors who have a legitimate operational need to access such data. Access privileges are reviewed and enforced on a need-to-know basis.
• Secure storage: Personal information is stored in secured systems with appropriate access restrictions and protections against unauthorized intrusion.
• Confidentiality obligations: All employees, contractors, and service providers with access to personal information are bound by confidentiality obligations that prohibit unauthorized use or disclosure.

Important Notice: No method of electronic data transmission or digital storage is completely secure. While Protection Cell, LLC takes reasonable and appropriate precautions to safeguard your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Individuals are strongly encouraged not to transmit sensitive personal information — including Social Security Numbers, financial data, or health information — through website contact or intake forms.

7.1 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a security breach involving personal information, Protection Cell, LLC will comply with its obligations under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 51-30 (the North Dakota data breach notification law). This includes providing timely written notification to affected individuals and, where required by law, to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, in the form and manner prescribed by applicable statute. Notification will be provided without unreasonable delay following discovery of the breach and completion of any investigation required to determine the scope and nature of the incident.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Protection Cell, LLC respects the privacy rights of individuals who submit personal information through our website. Subject to applicable law and any overriding legal obligations, the following rights are available to individuals whose personal information we hold:

Right	Description
Right to Access	You may request a copy of the personal information Protection Cell, LLC holds about you, including information about how that data has been used and with whom, if anyone, it has been shared.
Right to Correction	You may request that we correct any personal information we hold about you that is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated.
Right to Deletion	You may request deletion of personal information we hold about you. Such requests will be honored subject to any overriding legal retention obligations that may require us to maintain certain records.
Right to Withdraw Consent	You may withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal information for future communications at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal.
Right to Opt Out of Marketing	If you have received any marketing or promotional communications from Protection Cell, LLC, you may opt out at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions included in such communications or by contacting us directly.

8.1 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of the rights described above, please submit a written request to Protection Cell, LLC using the contact information provided in Section 10 of this Policy. Your request should:

• Identify the specific right(s) you wish to exercise;
• Provide sufficient information to allow us to verify your identity and locate your records; and
• Describe the specific personal information at issue, to the extent possible.

We will acknowledge receipt of your request and provide a substantive response within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving a verifiable request. In circumstances where additional time is required, we will notify you of the extension and the reason therefor within the initial thirty-day period.

We will not discriminate against any individual for exercising their privacy rights in good faith.

9. Children’s Privacy

The website, services, and communications of Protection Cell, LLC are directed exclusively to adults and are not intended for use by individuals under the age of eighteen (18). Protection Cell, LLC does not knowingly solicit, collect, or retain personal information from minors.

If we become aware that a person under the age of eighteen (18) has submitted personal information through our website without verifiable parental or guardian consent, we will take prompt steps to delete such information from our records. Parents or legal guardians who believe that their minor child has submitted personal information to Protection Cell, LLC through our website are encouraged to contact us immediately using the contact information in Section 10, so that we may take appropriate remedial action.

10. Contact Information for Privacy Requests

All privacy-related inquiries, rights requests, complaints, or correspondence regarding this Policy should be submitted in writing to Protection Cell, LLC at the contact information below. Verbal requests cannot be processed as verifiable privacy requests; written submission is required to ensure proper identification, documentation, and tracking of all requests.

To expedite processing, please clearly mark all written correspondence: “PRIVACY REQUEST” in the subject line or on the envelope. We will confirm receipt of your request and respond in accordance with the timelines described in Section 8.1 of this Policy.

11. Changes to This Policy

Protection Cell, LLC reserves the right to amend, update, or modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our data practices, applicable law, or operational requirements. Any amendments to this Policy will be reflected by an updated “Last Updated” date at the top of this document.

In the event of a material change to this Policy — meaning a change that substantially alters the rights of individuals or the manner in which their personal information is collected, used, or disclosed — Protection Cell, LLC will provide prominent notice of such change through a notice posted on our website for a reasonable period following the effective date of the amendment.

Your continued use of our website or submission of personal information through our website following the effective date of any amendment constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy as of that date. Individuals who do not agree to an amended Policy should cease using the website and may submit a request for deletion of previously submitted personal information in accordance with Section 8.

We encourage all users to review this Policy periodically to remain informed of our current privacy practices.

12. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy and any disputes arising out of or relating to it, or to the collection, use, retention, or disclosure of personal information by Protection Cell, LLC, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Dakota and applicable federal law, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any legal action or proceeding arising under or in connection with this Privacy Policy shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts of competent jurisdiction located in the State of North Dakota. By using our website or submitting personal information through it, you irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts for the purpose of any such action or proceeding.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the ability of a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over Protection Cell, LLC to enforce applicable data protection or privacy law.