This Privacy Policy describes how CentricOwl collects, uses, discloses, and protects information about you when you visit centricowl.com, create an account, or use our services (collectively, the "Services").
By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.
1. About CentricOwl
CentricOwl is a United States–based digital asset protection and investigation platform. We provide DMCA takedown services, online privacy protection, brand monitoring, background check facilitation, asset search facilitation, and related legal support. We act as an intermediary that coordinates services between clients and licensed third-party providers where required by law.
Important Disclosure
CentricOwl is not a licensed private investigation agency. We do not directly conduct asset searches, skip tracing, surveillance, or other regulated investigative activities. All such work is performed exclusively by licensed third-party investigation partners under their own authority and licensure.
2.1 Information You Provide
- Account information: name, email address, phone number, mailing address, password, and company name (if applicable).
- Identity verification: government-issued ID, proof of address, or other verification documents when required.
- Service request details: URLs of infringing content for DMCA takedowns, subject details for investigation requests, vehicle or property identifiers, or background-check inputs.
- Communications: messages, support tickets, attachments, and any correspondence you send to us through the platform, email, chat, or phone.
- Payment information: billing name, address, and the last four digits of your card. Full payment card details are processed directly by Stripe — we do not store full card numbers.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device and connection data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers, and referring URLs.
- Usage data: pages visited, features used, timestamps, session duration, and click activity within the dashboard.
- Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 12 for details.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
- Investigation partners: reports, findings, and supporting documentation returned by licensed third-party providers.
- Payment processor: transaction status, fraud signals, and tax data from Stripe.
- Public records and open-source intelligence: when relevant to a service you have requested.
3. How We Use Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Create and maintain your account, including the pending-approval review process.
- Provide, operate, and improve the Services you request.
- Coordinate service requests with licensed third-party investigation partners on your behalf.
- Process payments, issue invoices, and manage subscriptions.
- Communicate with you about your account, service updates, security alerts, and support.
- Send marketing communications where permitted (you can opt out at any time).
- Detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, and security incidents.
- Comply with legal obligations, court orders, and regulatory requirements.
- Enforce our Terms of Service and protect our rights and the rights of others.
4. Third-Party Investigation Partners
Please read this section carefully
CentricOwl does not hold a private investigator (PI) license. Services that require PI licensure — including asset searches, skip tracing, background investigations, and pre-litigation due diligence — are performed exclusively by licensed third-party investigation firms ("Investigation Partners").
4.1 What This Means for Your Data
When you submit a service request that requires licensed investigative work, we share relevant request information with one or more Investigation Partners. The information shared typically includes:
- Subject identifiers you provide (name, last known address, date of birth, vehicle, business, etc.).
- The scope and purpose of the request as you describe it.
- Supporting documents you upload.
- Limited client contact information necessary for clarification or report delivery.
4.2 Partner Responsibilities
Each Investigation Partner is independently licensed and operates as a separate data controller. Partners are contractually required to:
- Maintain valid licensure in every jurisdiction where they operate.
- Conduct all work in compliance with applicable laws, including the FCRA, GLBA, DPPA, and state PI statutes.
- Use your information solely to fulfill the requested service.
- Maintain commercially reasonable security safeguards.
- Not retain your information beyond what is necessary for service delivery.
4.3 Limits of Our Role
We do not direct the methods Investigation Partners use, do not warrant the accuracy of partner findings, and are not responsible for a partner's independent compliance with law. If you believe a partner has handled your information improperly, please contact us.
5. How We Share Information
We share information in the following circumstances:
| Recipient |
Purpose |
| Investigation Partners |
To fulfill investigative service requests requiring licensure (see Section 4). |
| Payment processors (Stripe) |
To process payments, manage subscriptions, and prevent fraud. |
| Hosting and infrastructure providers |
To operate the platform, store data, and deliver the Services. |
| Communication and support tools |
To send transactional emails, manage support tickets, and respond to inquiries. |
| Legal counsel and DMCA agents |
To prepare and submit takedown notices and related legal communications on your behalf. |
| Government, regulators, and courts |
When required by law, subpoena, court order, or to protect rights, property, or safety. |
| Successors in interest |
In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business. |
| With your consent |
For any other purpose disclosed at the time you provide the information. |
We do not sell your personal information or share it with third parties for their independent marketing purposes.
6. Legal Bases for Processing
Where applicable law (such as the GDPR or UK GDPR) requires a legal basis for processing, we rely on:
- Contract: to provide the Services you have requested.
- Legitimate interests: to operate, secure, and improve our Services and prevent fraud.
- Legal obligation: to comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
- Consent: where you have provided it, such as for marketing communications or non-essential cookies.
7. Data Retention
- Account records: for the duration of your account and up to 7 years after closure.
- Service request files: generally 3–7 years following case closure.
- Payment and transaction records: as required by tax and financial regulations (typically 7 years in the U.S.).
- Marketing data: until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
When information is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymize it.
8. Data Security
We use commercially reasonable safeguards to protect your information, including TLS encryption in transit, access controls, role-based permissions, audit logging, and secure payment handling through Stripe. No method of transmission or storage is fully secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
If we become aware of a security breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and the appropriate authorities as required by applicable law.
9. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:
- Access: request a copy of the information we hold about you.
- Correction: request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: request deletion of your information, subject to legal and contractual exceptions.
- Portability: request a copy of your data in a portable format.
- Restriction or objection: ask us to limit or stop certain processing.
- Withdraw consent: where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.
- Marketing opt-out: unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@centricowl.com.
10. California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, the CCPA and CPRA provide you with additional rights, including the right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Submit a verifiable consumer request by emailing support@centricowl.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
11. International Users
CentricOwl is operated from the United States. If you access the Services from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States. By using the Services, you consent to these transfers. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses for international data transfers.
12. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the platform, remember your preferences, analyze usage, and improve the Services:
- Strictly necessary cookies — required for authentication, session management, and security.
- Functional cookies — remember your settings and preferences.
- Analytics cookies — help us understand how the Services are used.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may limit functionality, including the ability to log in.
13. Children's Privacy
The Services are intended for users 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn that we have collected information from a minor, we will delete it. Contact us at support@centricowl.com if you believe a minor has provided us with information.
14. Third-Party Links
The Services may contain links to third-party websites or services that we do not operate. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through a notice on the Services.
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
