About This Policy
Blue Star Security Group (“Blue Star,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and what rights you have regarding your data.By visiting our website, submitting a contact form, registering for a course, scheduling an appointment, or making a purchase through our website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are
Blue Star Security Group is a security training, consulting, and security personnel company based in Jacksonville, Florida. We are affiliated with Global Security Solutions, headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.Owner and Data Controller:Montague Hall Blue Star Security Group Jacksonville, Florida Email: mhall@bluestarfl.comWe provide the following services:· Security training courses, including unarmed and armed security licensing, concealed carry instruction, and NRA-certified courses· Security consulting services, including church security assessments, corporate security planning, and risk assessments· Security personnel and guard services
2. Information We Collect
We collect information in two ways: directly from you, and automatically when you visit our website.
Information You Provide Directly
When you interact with us through our website, you may provide:· Contact information — your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address· Course registration details — the course or service you are registering for, your experience level, and any relevant licensing information· Scheduling information — preferred dates and times when booking an appointment through our scheduling system· Payment information — credit or debit card details, billing address, and transaction information submitted when purchasing a course or service online. Note: we do not store full payment card numbers. Payment processing is handled by third-party processors (see Section 5)· Communications — messages, questions, or other content you submit through our contact forms or by email
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain technical information is collected automatically:· IP address — your internet protocol address, which can indicate your general geographic location· Browser and device information — the type of browser, operating system, and device you are using· Pages visited and time spent — which pages you viewed, how long you stayed, and how you navigated the site· Referring URL — the website or link that brought you to our site· Cookie and tracking data — information collected through cookies and similar technologies (see Section 6)
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:Course Registration and Service DeliveryTo process your enrollment in a training course, confirm your registration, communicate class details, and deliver the training or consulting services you have requested.Scheduling and Appointment ManagementTo book, confirm, reschedule, or cancel appointments through our scheduling platform, and to send you reminders about upcoming sessions.Payment ProcessingTo process your payment for courses, consulting engagements, or other services, and to maintain transaction records as required for business and legal purposes.Customer CommunicationsTo respond to your inquiries, answer questions, and provide support before, during, and after your enrollment or engagement with us.Marketing and PromotionsWith your consent where required, to send you information about upcoming courses, promotions, new service offerings, and relevant security training updates. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time (see Section 8).Website ImprovementTo analyze how visitors use our website, identify technical issues, and improve the user experience and content.Legal ComplianceTo fulfill our obligations under applicable law, including recordkeeping requirements related to security licensing and training, responding to lawful requests from government authorities, and protecting the rights and safety of our clients and the public.Safety and Fraud PreventionTo detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent transactions, unauthorized access, and other illegal activity.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information on the following legal grounds:· Contract performance — when processing is necessary to provide a course, service, or consultation you have requested· Legitimate interests — for website analytics, fraud prevention, and improving our services, where these interests are not overridden by your rights· Legal obligation — where processing is required to comply with applicable state or federal law· Consent — for marketing communications and non-essential cookies, where we ask for your agreement before proceeding
5. Third-Party Services
To operate our website and deliver our services effectively, we work with trusted third-party service providers. Each provider has its own privacy practices and may collect or process your data on our behalf.
Squarespace (Website Platform)
Our website is built and hosted on Squarespace, Inc. Squarespace collects technical and analytics data related to your visit and may use cookies. For more information, visit: www.squarespace.com/privacy
Acuity Scheduling (Appointment Booking)
We use Acuity Scheduling (a Squarespace company) to manage online appointment booking. When you schedule a session through our website, your name, contact information, and appointment details are processed by Acuity. For more information, visit: www.acuityscheduling.com/privacy-policy
Payment Processors
Online purchases made through our website are processed by payment service providers integrated with Squarespace (such as Stripe or Square, depending on the transaction). These providers handle your credit or debit card information in compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS). We do not store full card numbers on our systems. For more information, refer to the applicable processor’s privacy policy.
Meta (Facebook and Instagram)
We advertise on Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Meta may collect information about your interactions with our ads and website through the Meta Pixel and related tracking technologies. This allows us to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and deliver relevant ads to people who may be interested in our services. You can review and manage your ad preferences at www.facebook.com/privacy and through Meta’s Ad Preferences tools.
Analytics Providers
We may use website analytics tools (such as Squarespace Analytics or Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our site. These tools may collect anonymized or aggregated data about page views, traffic sources, and user behavior. They do not identify you by name.We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate correctly and to improve your experience.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember certain information about your visit.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential CookiesThese are necessary for the website to function. They enable core features such as page navigation, form submission, and secure connections. You cannot opt out of these and still use the website.Analytics and Performance CookiesThese help us understand how visitors interact with our site — which pages are most visited, where users come from, and whether any errors occur. This data is aggregated and does not personally identify you.Marketing and Advertising CookiesThese are set by Meta and other advertising platforms when you visit our site after interacting with one of our ads, or when our Meta Pixel is active on a page. They help us measure ad performance and may be used to show you relevant ads on other platforms.Functional CookiesThese remember your preferences and choices to provide a more personalized experience, such as pre-filling form fields you have previously completed.
Managing Cookies
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, alert you before accepting cookies, or delete cookies after each session. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.You can also opt out of Meta’s ad tracking at www.facebook.com/adpreferences.
7. Data Security
We take reasonable and appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.These measures include:· Secure, encrypted connections (HTTPS) across our website· Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis· Use of industry-standard third-party platforms with their own security certifications· PCI-DSS-compliant handling of payment card data through our payment processorNo method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you as required under applicable law, including the Florida Information Protection Act.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.Specifically:· Course registration and training records are retained for a minimum of three (3) years following the completion of your training, consistent with our internal recordkeeping policy and applicable licensing requirements· Transaction and payment records are retained for the period required under applicable tax and financial regulations· Contact and inquiry records are retained for a reasonable period following resolution of your inquiry, generally no longer than two (2) years unless an ongoing relationship exists· Marketing opt-in records are retained for as long as you remain on our marketing list, and then for a reasonable period thereafter to document your prior consent· Technical and analytics data is generally retained in aggregated or anonymized form and may be kept indefinitelyWhen personal data is no longer required, we will delete or anonymize it in a secure manner.
9. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights with respect to your personal information.Right to AccessYou may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.Right to CorrectionYou may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information about you.Right to DeletionYou may request that we delete your personal information. We will honor this request where we are not required to retain the data by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as maintaining training records required for licensing compliance).Right to Opt Out of MarketingYou may opt out of receiving marketing emails from us at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any marketing email we send, or by contacting us directly at mhall@bluestarfl.com. Opting out of marketing communications does not affect transactional messages related to your enrollment or appointment.Right to Restrict ProcessingIn certain circumstances, you may request that we limit the way we use your personal information.Right to ObjectYou may object to our processing of your personal information where we rely on legitimate interests as our legal basis.To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 12. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and as required by applicable law.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our website and services are intended for adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at mhall@bluestarfl.com. We will take prompt steps to delete such information from our records.If a course or service is offered to a minor aged 13 to 17, participation requires verified parental or guardian consent prior to enrollment. We do not knowingly collect information from any individual under 13 without parental consent.
11. Florida-Specific Privacy Considerations
Blue Star Security Group operates primarily in the state of Florida and complies with the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA), Fla. Stat. § 501.171, and other applicable Florida privacy laws.Data Breach NotificationUnder FIPA, if a security breach occurs involving your personal information, we are required to notify you without unreasonable delay. If the breach affects more than 500 Florida residents, we are also required to notify the Florida Department of Legal Affairs. Notifications will be made in a manner consistent with FIPA requirements.Definition of Personal Information Under FIPAFor purposes of Florida law, “personal information” includes your first name or initial and last name combined with any of the following unencrypted data elements: social security number, driver’s license or ID card number, financial account numbers, medical or health insurance information, or an online account username and password.No Sale of Personal InformationWe do not sell personal information to third parties. This is consistent with the spirit of evolving consumer privacy standards in Florida and nationally.We will update this section as Florida privacy law evolves to ensure ongoing compliance.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your rights regarding your personal information, or wish to report a privacy concern, please contact us:Blue Star Security GroupAttn: Montague Hall — Privacy Inquiries Jacksonville, Florida Email: mhall@bluestarfl.comPhone: [INSERT PHONE NUMBER]We will acknowledge your inquiry promptly and respond within 30 days or as otherwise required by applicable law.
13. SMS and Text Message Communications
SMS Program Description
By opting in to receive SMS messages from Blue Star Security Group, you agree to receive text messages related to the following program categories:· Appointment Reminders — confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups for scheduled training sessions or consultations· Customer Support — responses to inquiries submitted via text or contact forms· Course Registration Updates — enrollment confirmations, class changes, cancellations, and scheduling notices· Marketing and Promotional Offers — information about upcoming courses, special offers, new services, and security training updatesMessage frequency varies based on your interactions with us. Message and data rates may apply.
SMS Data Privacy
Mobile information, including your phone number and SMS opt-in data, will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Sharing is strictly limited to vendors required to operate our SMS program — specifically, message delivery providers — and only for the operational purpose of transmitting messages on our behalf.Consumer SMS registration data will not be transferred, shared, sold, or disclosed to any external organization for any purpose, even with user consent, except:· When strictly necessary to provide the SMS service (e.g., routing messages through a carrier or delivery platform), or· When required by applicable law, regulation, or lawful governmental requestBlue Star Security Group maintains internal access controls and policies to prevent unauthorized access to or sharing of SMS subscriber data.
How to Opt Out
You may stop receiving SMS messages from us at any time by replying to any message with:· STOP — to unsubscribe from all messages· UNSUBSCRIBE — to unsubscribe from all messages· CANCEL — to cancel your subscriptionAfter opting out, you will receive one final confirmation message. No further messages will be sent unless you re-opt in.
How to Get Help
For help with our SMS program, reply HELP to any message, or contact us directly:· Email: mhall@bluestarfl.com· Phone: 904-906-9845 Opting out of SMS communications does not affect your ability to receive service-related communications by email or phone.
14. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the services we offer.When we make material changes to this Policy, we will:· Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page· Post the revised Policy on our website at the location where this Policy currently appears· Where required by law or where we deem it appropriate, provide you with additional notice, such as a prominent notice on our homepage or an email notificationWe encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our website or services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.
Blue Star Security Group — Jacksonville, FloridaAffiliated with Global Security Solutions — Oakbrook Terrace, Illinoi