Data Protection Policy
WatchGuardLite is committed to responsible data stewardship. This policy explains how we collect, protect, and manage the sensitive information entrusted to us by our members.
1. Our Data Protection Commitment
WatchGuardLite handles highly sensitive ownership documentation — serial numbers, receipts, photographs, and personal identification. We treat this data with the same care we expect our members to apply to their timepieces: with precision, discretion, and respect.
We comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.
**Government-Issued Identification**
Government-issued identification (such as a driver’s licence or passport) is strictly optional and is never required to create or maintain a WatchGuardLite account. If you choose to provide government ID as part of a paid verification request, it is used solely to verify your identity for that specific service, stored with industry-standard encryption, retained only for the duration of the verification process or as required by applicable law, and never shared with third parties except where required by law or with your explicit written consent.
2. What Data We Collect
2.1 Registration Data. Name, email address, country of residence, and account credentials.
2.2 Watch Records. Brand, model, reference number, serial number, purchase date, purchase price (optional), and retailer information.
2.3 Proof Documents. Purchase receipts, warranty cards, photographs, and authentication certificates you voluntarily upload.
2.4 Payment Data. For Bitcoin payments: transaction IDs and wallet reference data only. We do not store credit card or banking information.
2.5 Usage Data. IP addresses, browser type, pages visited, and interaction logs for security and platform improvement purposes.
3. How We Protect Your Data
3.1 Encryption. All data in transit is protected using TLS 1.3 encryption. Sensitive documents are encrypted at rest using AES-256 standards.
3.2 Access Controls. Access to member data is restricted to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis. We maintain access logs and review them regularly.
3.3 Secure Hosting. Our platform is hosted on enterprise-grade Canadian infrastructure with regular security audits and penetration testing protocols.
3.4 No Third-Party Selling. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information or watch registry data to any third party, ever.
4. Who We Share Data With
We may share your data only in the following limited circumstances:
- Service Providers: Trusted technology partners who assist with platform operations, under strict data processing agreements
- Legal Requirements: When required by Canadian law, court order, or valid law enforcement request
- With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize sharing (e.g., sharing a QR certificate with a buyer)
We never share registry data with insurance companies, brokers, or data aggregators without your explicit written consent.
5. Data Retention
We retain your registry records for as long as your account remains active. If you close your account, we will delete your personal data within 90 days, except where retention is required by law. Anonymized statistical data may be retained indefinitely.
6. Your Rights
As a Canadian resident, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your personal data
- Withdraw consent for non-essential data processing
- File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@watchguardlite.ca.
7. Cookies & Tracking
We use essential cookies for platform functionality and optional analytics cookies with your consent. We do not use advertising trackers or cross-site tracking technologies. See our Privacy Policy for full cookie details.
8. Changes to This Policy
We will notify registered users of material changes to this policy by email at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the platform after that date constitutes acceptance.
6b. Stolen Watch Report Data
When you file a stolen watch report, the watch’s identifying data (serial number, model, photos, and description) may be added to our watch intelligence database. This database is accessible to verified law enforcement agencies, licensed insurance providers, and authorized resellers conducting due-diligence checks. Your personal identity and contact details are not included in public-facing stolen listings. You retain the right to withdraw a stolen report at any time; removal from our database is processed within 5 business days.
6c. Purchase Records & Receipts
You may optionally upload proof of purchase documentation (receipts, dealer invoices, auction records, or certificates of authenticity) to strengthen your ownership record. These documents are stored with AES-256 encryption, are accessible only to you, and are never shared with third parties without your explicit written consent — except where required by a lawful court order or valid law enforcement request.
6d. Ownership Claims & Dispute Resolution
Your registration creates a timestamped private ownership claim linked to your watch’s serial and reference numbers. In the event of an ownership dispute, WatchGuardLite may provide your registration date and record status (but not your full personal details) to parties with a verified legal interest, such as insurers processing a claim or law enforcement investigating a theft. Full personal disclosure requires your consent or a valid legal order.
6e. Insurance & Police-Related Data Handling
WatchGuardLite cooperates with licensed Canadian insurers and law enforcement agencies in the following circumstances only: (a) you initiate an insurance claim and authorize data release; (b) a valid Canadian court order, warrant, or RCMP/police demand letter is received; (c) we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent harm or serious criminal activity. We log all law enforcement disclosures and will notify you of any such disclosure unless prohibited by law. Data shared with insurers is limited to watch identification data and ownership record status.
9. Contact Our Privacy Team
For data protection inquiries, please contact: support@watchguardlite.ca