Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy explains how Pontal Awards collects, uses, discloses and protects personal data when users interact with the Site.
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Pontal Awards ("Pontal Awards," "we," "us," or "our"), a distinction programme operated under Pine Hill International, collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal data when you visit our website, submit an entry, subscribe to our communications, or otherwise interact with us (collectively, the "Site").
We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") and applicable Portuguese data protection law. By using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy.
2. Who Is Responsible for Your Data
The data controller responsible for the processing of your personal data is:
| ENTITY | Pontal Awards (Pine Hill International) |
|---|---|
| ADDRESS | SBC Business Center, Rua Sacadura Cabral, 102, 8135-144 Almancil, Portugal |
| info@pontalawards.com |
For any question regarding this Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact us using the details above.
3. What Personal Data We Collect
We collect personal data that you provide directly to us, as well as data collected automatically as you browse the Site.
3.1 INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE TO US
- Award submissions: name, company or studio name, email address, phone number, project details, images, and any other information submitted through our entry or submission form.
- Contact and enquiries: name, email address, and the content of your message when you contact us.
- Newsletter or updates: your email address, if you choose to subscribe to receive updates about the awards, the yearbook, or related events.
3.2 INFORMATION COLLECTED AUTOMATICALLY
- Device and browser information, IP address, and general location (country or city level).
- Usage data such as pages visited, time spent on the Site, and referring website.
- Cookies and similar technologies, as described in our Cookie Policy.
4. How We Use Your Personal Data
We process your personal data for the following purposes:
| PURPOSE | LEGAL BASIS |
|---|---|
| To process and evaluate award submissions, including communication with entrants and jurors | Performance of a contract / legitimate interest in operating the awards programme |
| To respond to enquiries sent through the contact form | Legitimate interest in responding to communications |
| To send newsletters, results, or updates about the awards and yearbook | Consent |
| To maintain the security, integrity, and proper functioning of the Site | Legitimate interest |
| To comply with legal obligations | Legal obligation |
5. Sharing of Personal Data
We do not sell your personal data. We may share personal data with:
- Independent jury members, solely to the extent necessary to evaluate award submissions.
- Service providers who support our operations, such as website hosting, email delivery, and analytics providers, acting on our instructions.
- Public authorities, where required by law or to protect our legal rights.
Where a winner or finalist is announced publicly, certain submission details (such as project name, category, and general location) may be published on the Site or in the Pontal Awards yearbook, as reasonably expected as part of participation in the awards.
6. International Data Transfers
Some of our service providers may be located outside the European Economic Area ("EEA"). Where this is the case, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses, to protect your personal data in accordance with GDPR requirements.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Policy, including any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Award submission data is generally retained for the duration of the relevant awards cycle and for a reasonable period afterward for record-keeping and yearbook publication purposes, after which it is deleted or anonymised.
8. Your Rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you;
- Request rectification of inaccurate or incomplete data;
- Request erasure of your personal data ("right to be forgotten");
- Request restriction of processing;
- Object to processing based on legitimate interest;
- Request portability of your data;
- Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@pontalawards.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Portuguese data protection authority, the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD), or with the supervisory authority of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration. However, no method of transmission or storage is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed at individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a child, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
11. Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such third-party sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal data.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.