Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Apex Business Alliance™ (“Apex,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with the integrity, honor, and service that define our mission. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (apexbusinessalliance.world) and participate in our business networking community.

By accessing or using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you interact with Apex Business Alliance, we may collect the following types of personal information:

Account Registration & Membership:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Business name and role/title
• Company information
• LinkedIn profile or professional social media links
• Mailing address
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Membership tier selection (Open Network, Premium, Platoon, Company, Command)
• Pathway affiliation (The Formation, The Legacy, The Member Xchange, The Summit)

Veteran & Alumni Verification:

• Military service verification information (for The Formation pathway)
• Service branch and years of service
• Discharge documentation (DD-214 or equivalent) for verification purposes only
• Alumni status verification for The Legacy pathway

Professional Information:

• Business industry and specialty
• Years in business
• Annual revenue ranges (optional, for tier matching)
• Business goals and networking objectives
• Referral partner preferences
• Expertise and service offerings

Communication & Engagement:

• Messages sent through our contact forms
• Meeting attendance records
• Participation in Platoon, Company, or Command tier activities
• Referral exchange records
• Testimonials and success stories (with your permission)
• Forum or community discussion posts

Information Collected Automatically

Website Usage Data:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring/exit pages
• Click patterns and navigation paths

Cookies and Tracking Technologies:

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. These include:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices
• Marketing Cookies: Track effectiveness of our communications

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

Membership Administration

• Process and manage your membership in the appropriate tier and pathway
• Verify eligibility for veteran-specific programs (The Formation, The Legacy)
• Facilitate upgrades and tier transitions
• Send membership renewal reminders
• Provide access to tier-specific benefits and resources

Networking & Collaboration

• Connect you with appropriate Platoon, Company, or Command tier members
• Facilitate referral exchanges and business introductions
• Match you with strategic partnership opportunities
• Coordinate weekly meetings and accountability sessions
• Support veteran-to-veteran connections in The Formation pathway

Communication

• Send membership confirmations and updates
• Provide educational content and resources
• Deliver tier-specific announcements
• Respond to inquiries and support requests
• Share success stories and member achievements (with permission)
• Notify you of events, programs, and networking opportunities

Service Improvement

• Analyze website performance and user experience
• Understand member needs and preferences
• Develop new programs and pathways
• Improve matching algorithms for referral partners
• Evaluate the effectiveness of our networking framework

Legal & Security

• Comply with legal obligations
• Prevent fraud and unauthorized access
• Protect the integrity of our community
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Resolve disputes

How We Share Your Information

We respect your privacy and limit information sharing to the following circumstances:

Within the Apex Community

Directory Listings:

• Premium, Platoon, Company, and Command tier members may be included in our member directory
• Directory information typically includes: name, business, industry, location, and contact preferences
• You control what information appears in the directory through your account settings

Tier-Specific Groups:

• Platoon members share information within their weekly accountability groups
• Company tier members exchange detailed business information for referral partnerships
• Command tier members participate in exclusive C-suite collaboration (invitation only)

Referral Exchange:

• When facilitating business referrals, we share relevant professional information with potential partners
• You control your referral preferences and can opt out at any time

Third-Party Service Providers

We work with trusted service providers who assist us in operating our business:

• Payment Processors: Secure processing of membership fees (we do not store complete credit card information)
• Email Service Providers: Delivery of newsletters, updates, and communications
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Managing member relationships and engagement
• Website Hosting & Analytics: Maintaining our website and understanding usage patterns
• Video Conferencing Platforms: Facilitating virtual meetings and tier-specific sessions
• Verification Services: Confirming veteran status and professional credentials

All third-party providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required to:

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes
• Respond to government requests or law enforcement
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Apex Business Alliance, our members, or the public
• Enforce our Terms of Service or other agreements

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, member information may be transferred to the successor entity. We will notify you of any such change and provide options regarding your information.

With Your Consent

We may share your information for purposes not described in this policy when we have your explicit consent.

Veteran Information Protection

We recognize the sensitivity of military service information and implement additional safeguards for our veteran community:

• Military verification documents (DD-214, discharge papers) are used solely for eligibility confirmation
• Verification documents are stored securely and access is strictly limited
• We never share military service details without explicit permission
• Veteran status in The Formation or The Legacy pathways is shared only as you direct
• Service-related mental health or medical information is never collected or stored

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

Technical Safeguards:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure servers with restricted access
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Encrypted storage of sensitive information
• Multi-factor authentication for administrative access

Administrative Safeguards:

• Access controls limiting who can view personal information
• Background checks for team members with data access
• Regular privacy and security training
• Incident response procedures

Physical Safeguards:

• Secure facilities with access controls
• Protected backup systems

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but maintain vigilant protection practices.

Your Privacy Rights & Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access & Correction

• Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Update or correct inaccurate information through your account settings
• Request verification of information accuracy

Deletion & Restriction

• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Request restriction of processing for specific purposes
• Object to certain uses of your information

Communication Preferences

• Opt out of marketing emails (while remaining a member)
• Choose which types of communications you receive
• Set preferences for directory visibility
• Control referral exchange participation

Data Portability

• Request a copy of your information in a portable format
• Transfer your information to another service (where technically feasible)

Withdrawal of Consent

• Withdraw consent for specific data processing activities
• Note: Some withdrawals may affect your ability to use certain tier benefits

To Exercise Your Rights:

Contact us at: tom@apexbusinessalliance.world or through our Contact page. We will respond to verified requests within 30 days.

International Data Transfers

Apex Business Alliance primarily operates in North America. If you access our services from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located. By using our services, you consent to this transfer.

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Children’s Privacy

Apex Business Alliance services are designed for business professionals and are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover we have inadvertently collected information from someone under 18, we will delete it immediately.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources not operated by Apex Business Alliance. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

California Privacy Rights

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know: Request disclosure of categories and specific pieces of personal information collected

Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information (subject to exceptions)

Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the “sale” of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)

Right to Non-Discrimination: Not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising privacy rights

Shine the Light: Request information about sharing of personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes (we do not engage in this practice)

To exercise California privacy rights, contact: tom@apexbusinessalliance.world

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Legal Basis for Processing:

• Contractual necessity (to provide membership services)
• Legitimate interests (to improve services and facilitate networking)
• Consent (for certain marketing and optional features)
• Legal obligations (compliance with applicable laws)

Additional Rights:

• Right to object to processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
• Right to withdraw consent without affecting prior processing
• Detailed information about processing activities

For GDPR-related inquiries: tom@apexbusinessalliance.world

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. We will:

• Post the updated policy on this page
• Update the “Last Updated” date at the top
• Notify members of material changes via email or prominent website notice
• For significant changes, we may request renewed consent

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

Apex Business Alliance™

Email: tom@apexbusinessalliance.world
General Contact: Via our Contact Page
Website: https://apexbusinessalliance.world

Data Protection Officer: Available upon request for GDPR-related inquiries

Our Commitment

At Apex Business Alliance, our mission is built on integrity, honor, and service. These values extend to how we handle your personal information. We are committed to:

• Transparent privacy practices
• Respectful handling of veteran and service member information
• Security-first approach to data protection
• Responsive communication about privacy concerns
• Continuous improvement of our privacy safeguards

Thank you for trusting Apex Business Alliance with your information as we work together to build meaningful, integrity-driven business relationships.

Apex Business Alliance™
Where Business Is Built on Integrity, Honor and Service

This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date listed above and governs the privacy practices of Apex Business Alliance across all membership tiers: Open Network (Free), Premium ($195.95/year), Platoon ($400 + Premium), Company ($1,500 + Premium), and Command ($10,000 + Premium), as well as all four pathways: The Formation (Veterans), The Legacy (Alumni), The Member Xchange (Business Owners), and The Summit (Executives).