Privacy Policy

Merit Technology Consultants (“Merit,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website at merittc.com, how we use it, and the choices you have about that information.

We are based in North Houston, Texas. You can reach us anytime at connect@meritmkg.com with questions about this policy or your data.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information through our website:

Information you provide directly. When you complete our contact form, you submit your name, email address, phone number (optional), company name (optional), and the contents of your message. We collect this information so we can respond to your inquiry.

Information collected automatically. When you visit merittc.com, our hosting infrastructure (Cloudways) logs standard web server data including your IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL, and the pages you view. These logs help us maintain site performance and security.

Cookies and similar technologies. We use a small number of cookies:

• Session and security cookies that WordPress and our contact form (WPForms) require to function.
• Performance cookies used by our page cache (Breeze) to serve content faster.

We do not currently use third-party advertising cookies, tracking pixels, or behavioral profiling tools. If we add web analytics in the future, we will update this policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to inquiries you send through the contact form.
• To deliver services and communicate with you if you become a Merit Technology Consultants client.
• To monitor site performance, troubleshoot errors, and protect against abuse or unauthorized access.
• To comply with our legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share it with marketers or data brokers.

3. How We Share Information

We share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service providers. Our website infrastructure relies on third-party services that may incidentally process your information on our behalf:

• Cloudways (managed hosting): web server logs and database storage
• Microsoft 365 (email): outbound email delivery from sales@merittc.com / connect@meritmkg.com
• WPForms (form plugin): processing and routing your contact form submissions

These providers operate under standard data-processing arrangements and are not permitted to use your information for their own purposes.

Legal requirements. We may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or when necessary to investigate fraud, protect our rights, or respond to a security incident.

Business transfers. If Merit Technology Consultants is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and administrative safeguards to protect your information, including HTTPS encryption for all site traffic, restricted access to our hosting environment, multi-factor authentication on administrative accounts, and a hardened WordPress configuration.

No system is perfectly secure. We cannot guarantee that information transmitted over the internet or stored electronically will never be accessed without authorization. If we become aware of a security incident affecting your information, we will notify you in accordance with applicable law.

5. Data Retention

We retain contact form submissions and related correspondence for two years from the date of the most recent communication, unless you become a client (in which case we retain records for the duration of our engagement plus any applicable tax or regulatory record-keeping period).

Web server logs are rotated and overwritten on a rolling basis, typically within 90 days.

You may request deletion of your information at any time by emailing connect@meritmkg.com.

6. Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have specific rights regarding your personal information.

Texas residents. Under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or obtain a portable copy of your personal information, and to opt out of certain types of processing. You may also designate an authorized agent to act on your behalf.

California residents. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have similar rights including the right to know, the right to delete, and the right to opt out of any sale of personal information (we do not sell your information).

All visitors. Regardless of where you live, you may always email us at connect@meritmkg.com to:

• Ask what personal information we hold about you
• Request that we correct or delete your information
• Withdraw your consent to any future communications
• Ask any other question about how we handle your data

We will respond within a reasonable time, typically within 30 days, and will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has submitted information to us, contact connect@meritmkg.com and we will delete it promptly.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may link to third-party websites (for example, partner platforms or vendor product pages). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. Review their privacy policies separately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the Effective Date at the top of the policy and post the revised version at merittc.com/privacy. Significant changes will be communicated through a prominent notice on our homepage for at least 30 days.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information:

Merit Technology Consultants
North Houston, Texas
Email: connect@meritmkg.com
Phone: 713-931-4577