Mystery Shopper Privacy Policy

Your privacy and the protection of your data is important to us. This privacy policy will tell you what data we collect and how that data is used. The term “Personal Information” in this privacy policy means any information from which your identity is apparent or can be reasonably ascertained.  Please note that AQ Services International uses two different mystery shopping platforms, both of which are fully GDPR Compliant, their privacy policies can be found here:

SASSIE Privacy Policy
Shopmetrics Privacy Policy

What personal data we collect and why we collect it

Cookies and Google Analytics

To improve your experience on any of AQ-run sites such as www.aq-services.com or  www.ilovemysteryshopping.com, we may use ‘cookies’. Cookies are an industry standard and most major websites use them. A cookie is a small text file that our site may place on your computer as a tool to remember your preferences. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however, please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.

Our website uses Google Analytics, a service which transmits website traffic data to Google servers in the United States. Google Analytics does not identify individual users or associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. We use reports provided by Google Analytics to help us understand website traffic and web page usage.

By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner described in Google’s Privacy Policy- external site and for the purposes set out above. You can opt out of Google Analytics if you disable or refuse the cookie, disable JavaScript, or use the opt-out service provided by Google- external site.

Your Information

If you decide to sign up to participate to one of our surveys or to become one of our Mystery Shoppers, you will have to sign up on one or both of our Mystery Shopping Platforms: Shopmetrics or SASSIE. These platforms may request certain sensitive information to you. In this respect, AQ may collect all the information which you communicate by completing the registration form or the questionnaires. It concerns personally identifiable information, such as your email address, name, age, profession, mail address, telephone number, and other similar information we need to select you as a mystery shopper for a specific project.

Please note that the registration forms, surveys, and questionnaires contain ‘optional’ as well as ‘required’ fields. The required fields have to be filled out in order for you to be able to take part in any of our projects.

Also note, that any information that is collected on any of the platforms that AQ Services International is completely GDPR Compliant as assured by the specific system.

Any information we do collect will serve only in pursuit of our projects:

  • Services regarding mystery shopping or market research projects;
  • Statistical analysis

In other words, we will be using the information you give us primarily to:

  • To decide if your are qualified – as a mystery shopper – to take part in particular projects;
  • To allow us to invite you to participate our services;
  • To assist you in providing you information and services;
  • To maintain AQ’s highest-quality standards;
  • To enable AQ to verify your use of confidential information or materials submitted by us to you;
  • To improve the content of the our sites and platforms and make personalize;
  • To alert you to upgrades, special offers, updated information;
  • To gather general statistics regarding use of the site;
  • To send you relevant information by email should you opt to allow us to do so.

After you have submitted your information, we will keep it for the period of 1 year from your last active sign in to the system before deleting it. Note that we will send you a request first to check whether it is your wish that we do so.

Please note that we do not process sensitive information such as your political or religious beliefs, race and criminal history unless it is strictly necessary and it’s legally required or if you chose to share this info with us.

Who we share your data with

AQ Services International will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We will only share your personal information with:

  • Internal employees relevant to your information to whom it is reasonably necessary or desirable for us to disclose the personal data to,
  • Service providers that AQ Services International retains to perform services on its behalf, such as IT-service providers (please note that these service providers are not permitted to use the personal data for their own purposes and are bound by their own contracts and privacy policies and laws),
  • Law enforcement or other government authorities, if required by law or reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, and safety of others or ourselves.

How we protect your data

In addition to the data protection and security offered by the platforms. AQ maintains appropriate technical and organizational security safeguards designed to protect personal information data against accidental, unlawful or unauthorized destruction, loss, alteration, access, disclosure, or use.

What data breach procedures we have in place

We promptly evaluate and respond to incidents that create suspicion of or indicate unauthorized access to or handling of personal information.

If we become aware and determine that an incident involving any personal information data qualifies as a breach of security leading to the misappropriation or accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, personal information data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed on any of our systems that compromises its security, confidentiality or integrity, we will report such breach to you without delay.

As more information regarding the breach is collected we will provide you with any and all relevant additional information regarding the security of your personal information to the extent permitted by law.

Furthermore, the platforms we all have strengthened security and updated policies – be advised that they will take the necessary steps from their side as well.

What rights you have over your data

Right to Transfer or to be Forgotten

In accordance with the GDPR and global data privacy regulations, you have the right to request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we store within our systems. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

Deletion of your personal information can be requested through our Shopmetrics platform, or via email (dpo@nullaq-services.com). 

Inactive Account Deletion Protocols

AQ Services International will store any inactive accounts in our systems for 2 years, after which we will initiate an inactive account deletion protocol. When your account is flagged as ‘inactive’ – i.e. you have not logged in for 2 years or more – you will receive an email asking if you would like to continue working with us. Should you choose to continue, your account will be removed from the protocol, otherwise, your account will be deleted.

Property Rights

All information gathered with our services or with the participation to a project operated by AQ Services International belong to AQ Services International. This information shall be used in accordance with the provisions of this Privacy Statement.

Updates to this Policy

Please be advised that we may update this policy from time to time. We will notify clients of any significant changes to this Privacy Policy on the relevant through appropriate communication channels. All changes shall be effective from the date indicated on the updated policy, unless otherwise provided in the notification.

How to Contact Us regarding this Policy or your Personal Information

For Comments or inquiries regarding any of our platforms (SASSIE or Shopmetrics), such requests to update information, or requests to exercise your data rights may be sent to us by email at sps@nullaq-services.com.

For inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or any personal information shared with us directly via Email, Contact Forms, or other means please email dpo@nullaq-services.com.