Last updated: August 2026
HalalZest (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights, in accordance with Quebec’s Law 25 and applicable Canadian privacy law.
1. Person Responsible for Personal Information
Our designated Person Responsible for Personal Information can be reached via our contact page.
2. Information We Collect
Account information: name, email address, and password when you create a HalalZest account. If you use “email me a login link” to sign in, we generate a temporary, single-use login token tied to your email address, valid for 15 minutes.
Business listing information: business name, address, category, description, contact details, trust badges, call-to-action preferences, halal certification details (issuing body and expiry date) you choose to submit for verification, and any other information you submit as part of a listing.
Review content: ratings, written reviews, and any photographs you choose to upload with a review.
Usage data: pages visited, searches performed, and general interaction with the site, collected to keep the site functioning correctly. HalalZest does not use tracking, analytics, or marketing cookies.
Location data: if you choose to use “Current Location” in our search, your approximate location is used only to power that search and is not stored on our servers.
Browsing history: if you are logged in, we keep a short list of the listings you have recently viewed, tied to your account, so we can show you a “Recently Viewed” section on your profile. This list is limited to your most recent views and is only visible to you.
3. How We Use Information
To operate and display business listings and reviews.
To allow business owners to manage their own listings, reply to reviews, and select optional Featured display options.
To send transactional emails, such as login links, account confirmations, updates about the status of a listing, review, or halal certification you submitted, notices related to a Featured or sponsored placement you have arranged, and confirmation if you choose to delete your account.
To respond to inquiries submitted through our contact form.
To improve our website and directory search experience.
4. Third-Party Services
We use OpenStreetMap and its Nominatim search service to power location search on our site. When you search for a location or use “Current Location,” your query is sent to OpenStreetMap’s servers to return results. We do not use Google Maps or share your data with Google for this purpose. Please refer to OpenStreetMap Foundation’s Privacy Policy for details on their handling of search queries.
5. Cookies
We use cookies for essential site functionality and, where you consent, for functional, analytics, performance, and advertisement purposes. You can review and manage your cookie preferences at any time through the cookie banner shown on your first visit, or by revisiting your consent settings via the link in our footer.
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. Business listing information you submit is publicly visible on the directory by design. Reviews and any photographs you submit with a review are publicly visible once approved. We do not share your personal account information with third parties except as described in this policy or as required by law.
7. Your Rights
Under Quebec’s Law 25, you have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal information. To exercise these rights, contact us via our contact page.
8. Data Retention
We retain account and listing information for as long as your account remains active, or as needed to comply with legal obligations. Magic-link login tokens are automatically deleted after use or after they expire. If you delete your account, your listings are permanently removed and your reviews remain visible but are no longer associated with your identity.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
10. Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy can be sent via our contact page.