Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

The website covered by this Privacy Policy is operated by PAMS Pacific Admiralty Maritime Services, an independent Philippine marine technical consultancy.

For purposes of applicable Philippine privacy law, PAMS acts as the Personal Information Controller for personal information that it collects and processes for its own purposes.

Where the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies, PAMS may act as the Data Controller for personal data processed for its own purposes.

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information and technical information processed in connection with:

• visiting the PAMS blog;
• reading or accessing blog articles and publications;
• communicating with PAMS about blog content;
• contacting PAMS using published contact details;
• requesting information concerning PAMS services; and
• normal website operation, security and technical infrastructure.

This Privacy Policy does not govern the privacy practices of third-party websites that may be linked from the PAMS blog. Those websites operate under their own privacy policies and terms.

3. Information You Voluntarily Provide

The PAMS blog does not require visitors to create a user account.

If you voluntarily contact PAMS, the information you provide may include:

• name;
• company or organization;
• professional position or title;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• business address;
• country or location;
• the contents of your message or inquiry;
• information relating to a requested professional service; and
• documents or other information that you voluntarily provide.

PAMS seeks to limit the information collected to information that is reasonably relevant to the purpose for which it is provided.

4. Technical Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the blog, certain technical information may be processed automatically by normal web-server, hosting, security and network infrastructure.

Depending on the technical configuration in use, this may include:

• IP address;
• browser type and version;
• operating system;
• device type;
• requested page or resource;
• date and time of the request;
• referring page or website;
• HTTP request information;
• response status and error information;
• security-related information;
• network and diagnostic information; and
• other information generated by normal operation of web infrastructure.

This information may be used for website operation, security, troubleshooting, abuse prevention, performance monitoring and system administration.

5. How We Use Information

PAMS may process information for the following legitimate purposes:

• operating and maintaining the blog;
• publishing and delivering maritime information;
• responding to inquiries;
• communicating with clients and business contacts;
• providing information about PAMS professional services;
• maintaining website security;
• detecting and preventing malicious or unauthorized activity;
• diagnosing technical problems;
• maintaining reliable website performance;
• complying with legal or regulatory obligations; and
• protecting the rights, property and systems of PAMS.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The PAMS blog may use cookies or similar technologies necessary for website operation, security or technical functionality.

Such technologies may be used to:

• support essential website functions;
• maintain security;
• support technical operation;
• remember essential preferences where required; and
• assist with performance and infrastructure functions.

PAMS does not intentionally use the blog to create advertising profiles based on visitors' browsing activity across unrelated websites.

Where a non-essential cookie or similar technology requiring consent is introduced, PAMS will provide appropriate notice and consent mechanisms where required by applicable law.

Visitors may also control cookies through their browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

7. Analytics and Tracking

The PAMS blog does not intentionally use Google Analytics or similar third-party behavioural analytics services to create individual visitor profiles.

Technical information may nevertheless be processed by website, hosting, security, caching or network infrastructure as part of normal website operation.

PAMS does not intentionally use such technical information for cross-context behavioural advertising.

8. Website Security

PAMS takes reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect its website and information systems.

Security measures may include:

• network and firewall controls;
• security monitoring;
• access controls;
• traffic filtering;
• malicious-request detection;
• security logging;
• technical monitoring;
• vulnerability protection; and
• other reasonable security measures appropriate to the risks involved.

Security systems may process technical information such as IP addresses, request paths, HTTP methods, timestamps, user-agent information, response codes and security events.

Such information may be retained for a reasonable period where necessary for security investigations, system protection, troubleshooting, legal compliance or incident management.

9. Website Infrastructure and Security Providers

PAMS may use third-party infrastructure and security services to support website availability, security, DNS, caching, traffic management and protection against malicious activity.

Where such providers process technical or personal information on behalf of PAMS, processing may include information such as IP addresses, request information, browser information, timestamps, security events and technical diagnostic information.

These providers are used for legitimate technical, operational and security purposes and are not authorized by PAMS to sell personal information collected through the PAMS blog.

10. No Sale of Personal Information

PAMS does not sell personal information as part of its ordinary business operations.

PAMS does not sell names, email addresses, telephone numbers, inquiry information or other personal information to data brokers or advertising companies.

PAMS does not use the blog for cross-context behavioural advertising.

Information may be processed by technical service providers where reasonably necessary to operate, secure and maintain the website or provide requested services.

11. Disclosure of Personal Information

Personal information may be disclosed where reasonably necessary for legitimate business, technical, legal or professional purposes.

Potential recipients may include:

• website hosting and infrastructure providers;
• security and network service providers;
• email and communications providers;
• information-technology service providers;
• professional advisers;
• auditors or consultants;
• legal advisers;
• government authorities where legally required; and
• other service providers acting on behalf of PAMS.

PAMS seeks to apply appropriate confidentiality, security and data-protection safeguards when third parties process information on behalf of the organization.

12. Retention of Information

PAMS retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, unless a longer period is required or permitted by law.

Retention periods may depend on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it was collected.

• Website inquiries: retained for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to and administer the inquiry and related communications.
• Business records: retained as necessary for contractual, professional, accounting, legal, regulatory and dispute-resolution purposes.
• Security information: retained for a reasonable period appropriate to security, troubleshooting, monitoring and incident management.

When information is no longer required, PAMS will take reasonable steps to delete, anonymize or securely dispose of it, subject to applicable retention obligations.

13. International Data Transfers

Certain technical or service providers used by PAMS may process information in countries outside the Philippines.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, PAMS will take reasonable measures required by applicable law to protect the information and maintain appropriate safeguards.

Where the GDPR applies, PAMS will use an applicable lawful transfer mechanism where required.

14. Philippine Data Privacy Act

PAMS processes personal information in accordance with applicable provisions of the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and its implementing rules and regulations.

PAMS follows the core principles of:

• transparency;
• legitimate purpose; and
• proportionality.

PAMS seeks to collect and process only information that is reasonably necessary and relevant for legitimate and specified purposes.

15. Your Rights Under Philippine Law

Subject to applicable law and lawful limitations, individuals may have rights including:

• the right to be informed;
• the right to access personal information;
• the right to correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
• the right to object to certain processing;
• the right to request erasure or blocking where legally applicable;
• the right to data portability where applicable;
• the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
• the right to seek applicable remedies; and
• the right to lodge a complaint with the National Privacy Commission.

PAMS may need to verify the identity of a requester before processing certain privacy requests.

16. European Union and EEA Privacy Rights

Where the GDPR applies to the processing of your personal data, you may have rights including:

• the right of access;
• the right to rectification;
• the right to erasure;
• the right to restriction of processing;
• the right to data portability;
• the right to object to certain processing;
• the right to object to direct marketing;
• the right to withdraw consent where consent is the legal basis; and
• the right to lodge a complaint with a competent supervisory authority.

These rights are subject to the conditions and limitations established by applicable law.

17. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

PAMS does not use personal information collected through the blog for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects on individuals.

PAMS does not use blog visitor information to create individual advertising profiles for cross-context behavioural advertising.

18. Sensitive Personal Information

The PAMS blog is not intended to collect sensitive personal information from visitors.

Visitors should not submit sensitive personal information through ordinary website communications unless PAMS specifically requests such information for a legitimate professional or legal purpose.

Where sensitive personal information is legitimately processed, PAMS will apply safeguards and processing restrictions required by applicable law.

19. Children's Privacy

The PAMS blog is a professional maritime information website and is not directed specifically to children.

PAMS does not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children through the blog.

If a parent or legal guardian believes that a child has provided personal information to PAMS, please contact us using the details below.

20. Third-Party Websites and Links

PAMS blog articles may contain links to external websites, organizations, regulatory bodies, classification societies, maritime publications, industry resources or other third-party websites.

PAMS does not control the privacy practices, security, content or policies of those third parties.

Visitors should review the privacy policy and terms of any third-party website before providing personal information.

21. Data Security Incidents

If PAMS becomes aware of a personal-data security incident, it will assess and respond to the incident in accordance with applicable law and its information-security procedures.

Where notification to affected individuals, regulatory authorities or other parties is required by law, PAMS will provide the required notification within the applicable timeframe.

22. No User Accounts or Online Payments

The PAMS blog does not require visitors to create user accounts.

The blog does not operate as an online store and does not provide consumer online payment processing.

Professional service enquiries and commercial arrangements are handled separately through normal business communications and contractual processes.

23. Data Minimization and Proportionality

PAMS seeks to collect and process only information that is reasonably necessary for a specified and legitimate purpose.

We do not seek to collect personal information merely because it is technically available.

Where information is no longer necessary, PAMS will consider whether it should be deleted, anonymized or securely disposed of, subject to applicable legal, regulatory and legitimate business retention requirements.

24. Changes to This Privacy Policy

PAMS may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• website technology;
• security practices;
• services and business operations;
• third-party infrastructure;
• applicable privacy or data-protection laws; or
• other legitimate privacy considerations.

The updated version will be published on this page together with a revised Last Updated date.

Where required by applicable law, PAMS will provide additional notice concerning material changes.

25. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, privacy requests or complaints concerning this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal information, please contact PAMS.

For matters concerning Philippine data protection, individuals may also contact the National Privacy Commission in accordance with its applicable procedures.