Effective Date: January 1, 2020
Last Updated: November 11, 2025

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists (“APT,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard the data you share with us through our website, online courses, membership portals, and affiliated platforms.

Who We Are: APT is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional organization dedicated to health, safety, and education within the tattoo industry. Our mission is to support tattoo professionals, advance public education, and protect the art and craft of tattooing.

Information We Collect: We collect information from you in the following ways:

Information You Provide Voluntarily:

When you:

• Join or renew your APT membership 
• Register for a course, webinar, or event 
• Make a donation or purchase merchandise 
• Subscribe to our newsletter 
• Participate in APT committees, surveys, or online community spaces 
• Contact us for support or information
   

We may collect:

• Full name, business name, and contact details 
• Email address and phone number 
• Professional information (license, studio, location, job title) 
• Payment details (processed securely by third-party services) 
• Course progress, quiz results, or certification information
  

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website or online platforms, we may collect:

• Browser type and device information 
• Pages visited, time on site, and referring URLs 
• IP address and general location data 
• Cookies and tracking pixels (for analytics and performance)
   

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some site features may not function properly without them.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Manage and verify APT memberships 
• Provide access to educational programs and certificates 
• Communicate important updates, renewals, or policy changes 
• Process payments and donations securely 
• Deliver newsletters, webinars, and promotional materials 
• Improve our website and educational offerings 
• Maintain community standards and uphold organizational integrity
   

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data with third parties.

Sharing of Information

We only share information as necessary with:

• Trusted service providers who process payments, deliver emails, or host our educational platforms (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, Square, Mailchimp, Google, Circle). 
• Legal authorities if required by law or to protect APT, our members, or the public. 
• Partners or sponsors solely when relevant to APT programs or benefits, and only with your consent or anonymized data.
   

All third parties are contractually obligated to handle your data in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to:

• Fulfill the purposes for which it was collected 
• Comply with legal, tax, and regulatory obligations 
• Maintain historical membership and certification records
   

When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access, correct, or delete your personal data 
• Withdraw consent for marketing communications 
• Request a copy of your data or limit processing 
• File a complaint with your local data protection authority
   

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@safe-tattoos.com.

Children's Privacy

Our website and educational programs are not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.

Security Measures

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. This includes SSL encryption, secure payment processors, and limited staff access to sensitive information.

However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute data security.

External Links

Our website may link to third-party sites (e.g., partner organizations, sponsors, educational platforms). We are not responsible for their privacy practices, and we encourage you to review their policies.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The “Last Updated” date will indicate any changes. Material updates will be communicated to members or posted prominently on our website.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact:

Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT)
Attn: Privacy Officer
Email: info@safe-tattoos.com
Website: www.safe-tattoos.com

Mailing Address: 7770 Regents Rd, Suite 113, #635, San Diego, CA 92122