Last Updated: September 2026

PRIVACY POLICY

1. Introduction

Dumpling Diplomacy Inc. ("we," "us," "our," or "Company") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and otherwise process personal information in connection with our website (dumplingdiplomacy.com), events, workshops, programs, catering services, and volunteer opportunities.


Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing our website or engaging with our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with our privacy practices, please do not use our services.


2. Information We Collect


2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Event Registration & Ticketing:

  • Name, email address, phone number
  • Dietary restrictions and allergies
  • Accessibility needs
  • Payment information (processed by Ticket Tailor, not stored by us)
  • Emergency contact information


Volunteer Registration:

  • Name, email, phone number
  • Address and background information
  • Experience and skills
  • Availability
  • References (if requested)
  • Background check information (processed through third-party vendor)

Workshop & Program Enrollment:

  • Participant name and age (for youth programs)
  • Parent/guardian contact information (for participants under 18)
  • Dietary needs and allergies
  • Special accommodations
  • Payment information

Newsletter Signup:

  • Email address
  • Name (optional)
  • Preferences for event types or program interests

Contact Form:

  • Name, email, phone number
  • Subject and message content
  • How you heard about us

E-commerce / Shop:

  • Name, shipping and billing address
  • Email and phone number
  • Payment information (processed by Square, not stored by us)

Program Feedback & Surveys:

  • Responses to surveys, feedback forms, and post-event questionnaires
  • Photo/video consent preferences

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Website Usage:

  • IP address and device information
  • Browser type and version
  • Pages visited and time spent
  • Referring website/source
  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies
  • Approximate location (based on IP address)

Cookies & Tracking: We use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Remember your preferences
  • Understand how you use our website
  • Improve user experience
  • Analyze website traffic

Third-Party Analytics: We use Google Analytics and similar services to track and analyze website usage. These providers may have their own privacy policies.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

3.1 Providing Services
  • Process event registrations and ticketing
  • Manage workshop and program enrollments
  • Fulfill catering and merchandise orders
  • Coordinate volunteer placements
  • Communicate about programs and services
  • Handle customer service inquiries

3.2 Communication
  • Send event reminders and updates
  • Deliver newsletters (with opt-out options)
  • Respond to your inquiries
  • Send promotional materials (only with consent)
  • Provide information about new programs and offerings

3.3 Safety & Legal Compliance
  • Enforce liability waivers for food allergies and kitchen activities
  • Manage background checks for volunteers
  • Prevent fraud and abuse
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Protect the health and safety of participants

3.4 Improvement & Analytics
  • Analyze program attendance and engagement
  • Improve our services and website
  • Conduct research on program effectiveness
  • Develop new programming based on interests
  • Generate anonymized reports on participation

3.5 Marketing & Fundraising
  • Feature participant stories (only with explicit consent)
  • Use photos/videos for social media and promotional materials (only with consent)
  • Segment audiences for targeted communications
  • Track donation and fundraising campaigns

3.6 Food Safety
  • Maintain records of dietary restrictions and allergies
  • Prevent cross-contamination during food preparation
  • Comply with food service regulations
  • Communicate with participants about ingredients and allergens

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

For users in the EU/EEA, we process your data based on:

  • Consent: Newsletter signups, marketing, photo/video usage
  • Contract: Event registrations, volunteer agreements, catering orders
  • Legal Obligation: Food allergen tracking, background checks, liability waivers
  • Legitimate Interests: Website analytics, program improvement, fraud prevention
  • Vital Interests: Health and safety information (allergies, medical needs)

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time or object to processing. Contact us at info.please@dumplingdiplomacy.com to exercise these rights.

5. Information Sharing & Third Parties

5.1 Service Providers

We share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us:

  • Ticket Tailor: Event registration and ticketing platform
  • Square: Payment processing for merchandise and catering
  • Mailchimp: Email newsletter delivery (MailChimp's Privacy Policy applies)
  • Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis
  • Background Check Services: For volunteer vetting (if applicable)
  • Catering & Food Partners: For dietary accommodation purposes only
  • Cloud Storage Providers: For secure data storage and backups

5.2 Your Choices
  • You can opt out of newsletters by clicking "unsubscribe" in any email
  • You can decline to participate in photos/videos
  • You can request not to receive promotional materials
  • You can withdraw consent for background checks

5.3 When We Must Disclose

We may disclose your information when required by:

  • Law enforcement or legal process
  • Court orders or subpoenas
  • Health and safety emergencies
  • Fraud investigation

We will not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

  • Fulfill the purposes for which it was collected
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Resolve disputes
  • Enforce agreements

Specific Retention Periods:

  • Event Participants: 3 years after event date
  • Volunteers: 5 years after last service
  • Newsletter Subscribers: Until unsubscribed
  • Background Checks: As required by law (varies by state)
  • Dietary/Allergy Records: Until program ends + 5 years
  • Website Analytics: 26 months
  • Contact Form Inquiries: 1 year

You may request deletion of your data at any time (subject to legal retention requirements).

7. Children's Privacy

Dumpling Diplomacy offers youth programming (Dumpling Science Classes for grades K-5). For children under 14:

  • We require parental/guardian consent before collecting any information
  • We do not share children's information with third parties except as necessary for program delivery
  • Parents/guardians can review, update, or request deletion of their child's information
  • We do not use children's information for marketing or sell it to third parties

For children ages 14-18:

  • We limit data collection to information necessary for program participation
  • We require parental consent for photo/video usage
  • We provide age-appropriate privacy information

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information:

  • Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
  • Secure password protection
  • Limited access to sensitive data
  • Regular security audits
  • Employee confidentiality agreements

Important: No online transmission is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Privacy Rights

9.1 Access & Portability

You have the right to request and receive a copy of your personal information in a portable format.

9.2 Correction

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

9.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements).

9.4 Opt-Out

You can opt out of:

  • Marketing communications
  • Cookies and tracking
  • Photo/video usage
  • Data sharing with certain service providers

9.5 GDPR Rights (EU/EEA Residents)

If you're in the EU/EEA, you have additional rights under GDPR:

  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to lodge a complaint with your data protection authority
  • Right to data portability

To Exercise Your Rights: Contact us at info.please@dumplingdiplomacy.com or via our contact form. We will respond within 30 days (or as required by law).


10. Cookies & Tracking

10.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files stored on your device that remember information about your visit.

10.2 Types of Cookies We Use
  • Essential: Required for website functionality
  • Analytics: Google Analytics to understand usage patterns
  • Preferences: Remember your language/accessibility choices
  • Marketing: Track engagement with promotional content (if enabled)

10.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge all allow cookie management
  • You can delete cookies or block future cookies
  • Disabling cookies may affect website functionality

10.4 Third-Party Cookies

Our partners (Google Analytics, Ticket Tailor, Square) may also set cookies. Refer to their privacy policies for details.

11. California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you're a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

  • Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how we use it
  • Right to Delete: Request deletion of your information
  • Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of data sales (we do not sell data)
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: We don't discriminate for exercising your rights

Submit requests to info.please@dumplingdiplomacy.com.

12. Other State Privacy Laws

We comply with privacy laws in Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA), Virginia (VCDPA), and other jurisdictions. The rights and protections outlined above generally apply.

13. International Users

Our website is operated from the United States. If you're outside the US, your information will be transferred to and processed in the US, which may have different privacy protections than your country. By using our services, you consent to this transfer.

EU/EEA Residents: We rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or your explicit consent for data transfers.

14. External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites (Ticket Tailor, Square, social media, partners). This Privacy Policy only applies to dumplingdiplomacy.com. We're not responsible for external websites' privacy practices.

15. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will:

  • Post changes on this page
  • Update the "Last Updated" date
  • Notify you of material changes via email

Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of updated terms.

16. Contact Us

For Privacy Inquiries:

Dumpling Diplomacy Inc.
Email: info.please@dumplingdiplomacy.com
Website: https://dumplingdiplomacy.com/contact-us


Data Protection Officer/Privacy Contact: info.please@dumplingdiplomacy.com


Response Time: We aim to respond to all privacy requests within 30 days.


EU/EEA Residents: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection authority if you believe we've violated your privacy rights.