Hello everyone! Today we’re discussing AboutVirgo’s Privacy Policy. You may have seen the term “Privacy Policy” when registering or using this website, but what does it actually mean? How does it affect your personal information? Why should we care?
This article will explain in the simplest, clearest way possible:
- Who is AboutVirgo?
- What information does it collect about you?
- What is this information used for?
- How can you control your information?
- Is your information secure?
We’ll take that original official, complex legal document and turn it into something anyone can easily understand. No jargon, no convoluted language—just clear, step-by-step explanations, like chatting with a friend.
1. First things first: Who exactly is AboutVirgo?
AboutVirgo isn’t a person or a small company. It’s actually a platform operated by a group of companies. Think of it like a team—just as “Apple Inc.” involves many departments and subsidiaries working together.
When you register an account, upload content, or make purchases on this platform, your information might be processed by a company in the United States or one in Ireland, depending on where you live.
Who manages your information?
| If you live in | The company managing your information is |
|---|---|
| United States, Canada, India | AboutVirgo, Inc. (Headquartered in New York, USA) |
| Other countries and regions | AboutVirgo Ireland Limited (Based in Ireland) |
Regardless of your location, if you have privacy questions, email: privacy@aboutvirgo.com
Additionally, the company has appointed a dedicated Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee proper protection of user information. For complaints or inquiries, contact this officer directly.
2. What Information Do They Collect?
Many people worry about having their information “stolen” online. In reality, not all information is collected, nor are all actions recorded. Let’s examine what AboutVirgo actually knows.
1. You can browse anonymously without providing any information
Just like browsing a supermarket, you can look at products without buying anything or leaving your phone number. Similarly, you can freely explore AboutVirgo’s website without logging in or being forced to provide personal details like your name or email.
Only when you choose to register as a member, purchase services, or upload your work will they begin collecting necessary information.
2. When registering or using services, they collect this information
(1) Basic contact information
This is to ensure they can reach you:
- Full name
- Mobile phone number
- Address (home or business)
- Email address
(2) Payment Information
If you purchase services or subscribe to membership, they will require:
- Credit card number
- Card expiration date
- Card type (Visa, MasterCard, etc.)
- Billing address
Note: This sensitive information is encrypted during transmission, making it difficult for others to intercept.
(3) Professional and Company Information
This section primarily applies to business users or creators:
- Your job title (e.g., designer, photographer)
- Job description
- Company name
- Industry your company operates in
This information helps the platform understand your field, enabling it to recommend features or services better suited to you.
(4) Account and Profile Information
- Username
- Login password (stored encrypted)
- Your activity records on the website, such as:
- Keywords searched
- Membership plan purchased
- Resources downloaded
This data helps the system remember your preferences for a smoother experience when you return.
3. Additional Questions for Content Creators (Contributors)
If you plan to upload your photos, videos, designs, or other content to AboutVirgo and grant others permission to use it, they’ll need additional information to ensure you receive compensation and your attribution is displayed correctly.
They will collect:
- Your payment method (e.g., PayPal account)
- Email address for receiving payments
- Name you want others to see (pen names are acceptable)
- Social media accounts (optional)
- Your skill level (e.g., “Professional,” “Hobbyist”)
- A description of your creative process (e.g., how you took this photo)
This information is primarily used for payment and display purposes and will not be publicly disclosed.
4. Automatically Collected Technical Information (Non-User-Submitted)
In addition to information you actively submit, the website automatically collects certain technical data. This practice is standard for most websites.
For example:
- Your browser type (Chrome, Safari, or Edge)
- Access via mobile or desktop
- Operating system version (iOS 17, Windows 11, etc.)
- Network IP address (equivalent to your “street address” online)
- CPU processing speed (used solely for performance analysis)
This information serves to:
- Ensure smoother website operation
- Analyze traffic trends (e.g., how many people viewed a specific page)
- Prevent automated bots or malicious attacks
Occasionally, they may combine this technical data with your personal profile to better understand user needs.
✅ Important Note: AboutVirgo explicitly states that when you use their mobile app, they do not collect your location information nor track your movements on maps.
5. They may supplement your information from third parties
To reduce errors and improve accuracy, AboutVirgo occasionally verifies the information you provide through external channels.
For example:
- If you enter an address, the system will cross-check its validity using Google Maps or US Postal Service data.
- For business users, they may review publicly available company information to confirm legitimate operation.
This is done to:
- Reduce inaccuracies in the database
- Prevent impersonation during registration
- Improve marketing relevance (e.g., delivering content tailored to your interests)
Please note: This supplementation is solely for verification and service optimization purposes and will not be used for any other activities.
III. Why Do They Collect This Information? What Is the Purpose?
Many people are most concerned about: “What do you do with my information?”
Below, we explain each item one by one. Every piece of information has a clear purpose and is not used indiscriminately.
1. To Provide You With Services
This is the most fundamental purpose. Without this information, many features simply cannot function.
For example:
- No email address → Cannot receive verification codes or order notifications
- No credit card → Cannot complete payments
- No username and password → Cannot log into your account
Therefore, collecting information ensures you can smoothly use all AboutVirgo features.
2. To Process Financial Transactions
When you purchase memberships, download assets, or sell your work, the platform must handle monetary matters. This requires:
- Recording transaction timestamps and amounts
- Generating invoices
- Sending payment confirmation or renewal reminders
These are standard business processes that also require maintaining financial records.
3. Responding to Customer Service Requests
If you encounter issues like forgotten passwords, undelivered orders, or account lockouts, customer support needs your information to quickly identify and resolve the problem.
Without sufficient information, customer service might not even be able to identify you.
4. Managing Your Account
This includes:
- Changing your password
- Updating contact information
- Viewing order history
- Deleting your account
All these actions require the system to verify your identity before proceeding.
5. Sending Important Notifications
You will receive emails of the following types:
- Account registration confirmation
- Order payment success notifications
- Membership expiration reminders
- System maintenance or update announcements
These are service-critical messages that cannot be disabled. They are not advertisements but essential information ensuring your normal usage.
6. Providing Relevant Recommendations and Promotions
This involves personalized recommendations.
For example:
- If you frequently search for “landscape photography,” the system will recommend more similar image resources.
- If you previously purchased a premium membership, the platform will email you about current discount promotions.
This information is automatically matched by algorithms based on your behavior to enhance your experience.
⚠️ Note: You can choose to opt out of receiving these promotional emails (instructions on how to disable them will be provided later).
7. Preventing Fraud and Illegal Activities
Some individuals online engage in malicious activities, such as:
- Impersonating others to upload work and scam money
- Making payments with counterfeit credit cards
- Mass-registering accounts to artificially inflate ratings
Therefore, AboutVirgo must monitor abnormal behavior, investigate suspicious activities, and take measures like account suspension or reporting to authorities when necessary.
This also protects the rights of the majority of law-abiding users.
8. Improving Products and Services
The platform analyzes overall user habits, such as:
- Which features are most popular?
- Which pages load too slowly?
- When do users typically exit the site?
These analytics do not identify individuals but are used to enhance website design, add new features, and optimize user experience.
9. Legal Requirements
In extremely rare cases, government agencies (such as courts, police, or tax authorities) may legally request user data from the platform.
Examples include:
- Receiving a court subpoena
- Involvement in national security investigations
- Cooperation with anti-money laundering reviews
In such instances, AboutVirgo is obligated to assist law enforcement agencies, but this must follow lawful procedures and cannot be done arbitrarily.
IV. Will They Share Your Information with Others?
This is one of the most critical questions.
The answer is: We will not sell your information to other companies for advertising purposes.
However, we do share information with certain partners—provided they are merely performing tasks on our behalf and are prohibited from misusing your data.
1. Who do they share with? Why?
(1) Payment Service Providers (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
When you pay by card, funds aren’t transferred directly to AboutVirgo but processed through specialized payment companies. These entities can view your card number and related details, but they may only use this information for the specific transaction—they cannot store or repurpose it.
(2) Technical Support and Operations Teams
Certain backend tasks are handled by third-party providers, such as server maintenance, data analysis, and customer service system management. If these companies need to access user data, they must sign non-disclosure agreements and are only permitted to access necessary portions.
(3) Advertising Partners (for personalized ads)
AboutVirgo does not run its own ads but partners with third-party advertisers. These advertisers may use cookies to track your browsing behavior on our site and then display relevant ads to you on other websites.
For example:
You viewed many wedding photography materials on AboutVirgo → Third-party partners identify your interest in “weddings” → You later see wedding photography ads on news websites.
❗❗ Important Reminder:
You can still choose to opt out of personalized ad recommendations. See “How to Opt Out” below.
2. Things they absolutely will not do:
- ❌ Sell your name, phone number, or email to other companies for unsolicited calls.
- ❌ Use your creative content for their own commercial purposes.
- ❌ Disclose your real identity without consent.
V. How can you control your information?
As a user, you’re not just a passive recipient of rules. You have many rights to exercise!
1. View and modify your information
After logging in, click [My Account] to see:
- Your name, email, address
- Payment methods
- Login history
- Subscription status
You can modify this information anytime, just as easily as updating your WeChat profile.
2. Delete Your Account or Data
If you no longer wish to use the service, you can permanently delete your account.
Follow these steps:
- Log in → Go to [My Account Preferences]
- Locate the [Delete My Account] option
- Follow the prompts to complete the process
If you can no longer log in, contact customer service via email. They will assist you.
🕒 Platform Commitment: Requests will be responded to and processed within 30 days of receipt.
3. Disable Email Notifications
Want to stop receiving promotional emails? Follow these steps:
- Log in → [My Account] → [Preferences]
- Uncheck “Receive updates about our products”
- Or uncheck “Promotional information from third-party partners”
This will prevent you from receiving advertising emails.
⚠️ Important Note: Critical notifications like order confirmations, billing reminders, and security alerts must still be sent and cannot be disabled.
4. Disable Mobile App Notifications
If you have the AboutVirgo mobile app installed, you may receive push notifications such as “Today’s Specials” or “New Feature Launch.”
If you find these disruptive, you can disable notification permissions in your device settings:
- iPhone: Settings → Notifications → AboutVirgo → Turn off “Allow Notifications”
- Android: App Manager → AboutVirgo → Notifications → Turn off
5. Opt Out of Personalized Ads
As mentioned earlier, third-party advertisers may push ads based on your interests. If you prefer not to receive these, you can actively opt out.
There are two methods:
- Click here: [Opt-out of personalized ads link]
- If you’re in the EU, click here: [GDPR-specific opt-out link]
⚠️ Important reminder: After opting out, you’ll still see ads, but they won’t be “targeted”—just random, generic ads.
6. Request to Stop Processing Your Data
Under privacy regulations like the EU GDPR, you have the right to request companies stop using your personal information.
Procedure:
- Visit [My Account – Preferences]
- Locate the “Delete My Personal Data” section
- Submit your request
Even if you cannot log in, you can contact customer service via the privacy request form to make this request.
6. How Secure Is Your Information?
While no one can guarantee “absolute security,” AboutVirgo implements numerous protective measures to safeguard your data.
1. Encrypted Password Storage
Your login password is never stored in plain text. Even if hackers breach the database, they won’t see your actual password.
We recommend:
- Using complex passwords (combining letters, numbers, and symbols)
- Avoiding birthdays or phone numbers as passwords
- Never reusing passwords across multiple websites
2. Data Stored on Secure Servers
All user information resides on protected servers accessible only to authorized employees.
Access requires dedicated credentials to prevent internal misuse.
3. End-to-End Encrypted Data Transmission
When you enter sensitive information like credit card numbers or passwords on our website, data is encrypted before transmission.
This technology, TLS encryption (formerly SSL), is indicated by the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.
4. Regular System Vulnerability Checks
Our platform employs dedicated technical teams to routinely scan systems for exploitable weaknesses and promptly patch them.
5. Risks Cannot Be Completely Eliminated
Despite extensive efforts, inherent internet risks remain. No company can guarantee 100% protection against data breaches.
Therefore, AboutVirgo openly acknowledges:
“We strive to protect your information, but cannot guarantee absolute security.”
If you notice any suspicious activity (such as account theft or strange emails), contact customer service immediately.
VII. About Cookies and Tracking Technologies
You may have heard the term “cookie,” which sounds a bit intimidating, but it’s essentially a small text file.
What is a Cookie?
When you first visit a website, it places a small text file called a cookie on your computer or mobile device. Its functions include:
- Remembering your login status (so you don’t have to re-enter your password each time)
- Recording your preferred themes or language settings
- Tracking how many people have visited a specific page
How Does AboutVirgo Use Cookies?
They primarily use two types:
- Session Cookies: Temporary; disappear when you close your browser
- Persistent Cookies: Stored long-term until you manually delete them
Uses include:
- Analyzing user behavior (e.g., which buttons get clicked most)
- Optimizing website layout
- Providing personalized content
Can you control Cookies?
Absolutely!
Nearly all browsers let you:
- Block websites from adding cookies
- Receive alerts when sites attempt to set cookies
- Manually delete existing cookies
Example steps (using Chrome):
- Open browser → Settings
- Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Choose “Block all cookies” or “Ask every time”
⚠️ Note: Completely disabling cookies may cause certain features to stop working, such as login failures or cleared shopping carts.
Third-Party Ad Tracking
As mentioned earlier, AboutVirgo partners with advertising companies to display ads on the website.
These companies may use cookies to track your behavior across different websites to determine your interests.
For example:
- You view photography resources on AboutVirgo
- You browse travel guides on another website
- Advertisers infer you “enjoy travel”
- Consequently, you receive ads for cameras or travel agencies
This is known as “cross-site tracking.”
✅ You can opt out of this tracking using the methods described above.
VIII. Children’s Privacy Policy
AboutVirgo’s services are intended for adults and are not directed at minors under 18 years of age.
We do not knowingly collect information from children. If your child accidentally registers an account or uploads content, please contact us promptly for removal.
Parents are encouraged to actively monitor their children’s online activities to prevent unintentional privacy disclosures.
IX. Can Policies Change? How Will I Know?
Yes, privacy policies are not static. AboutVirgo reserves the right to adjust terms due to legal changes or business development.
However, they must:
- Notify users in advance
- Communicate major changes via email or homepage announcements
Once new policies take effect, you are deemed to have accepted these changes.
However, one crucial point:
If you previously set “Do not use my information for advertising,” they cannot unilaterally alter your preferences even if the policy changes, unless they obtain your new consent.
Another exception:
- If AboutVirgo is acquired by another company, customer data may be transferred to the new entity.
- But they must post a notice on the website informing you of the transfer.
X. What about links to other websites? Do their privacy policies apply?
AboutVirgo’s website may contain links to other sites, such as social media buttons or partner platform entries.
These external sites have their own privacy rules, which are beyond AboutVirgo’s control.
For example, clicking Facebook’s “Like” button informs Facebook that you visited this page, and Facebook determines how it collects data.
Therefore, we recommend:
❗ Review the privacy policy of any external site before interacting with it, especially when logging in or providing personal information.
XI. What About Social Media Plugins?
You may encounter these features on AboutVirgo pages:
- “Share to Twitter”
- “Share with WeChat Friends”
- “Like” buttons
These widgets are provided by social platforms and may:
- Collect your IP address
- Track the pages you’re browsing
- Set their own cookies
Interacting with these buttons means you’re using that social platform’s service, so you must also comply with its rules.
12. Is Single Sign-On (One-Click Login) Secure?
Many websites now support “Sign in with Apple,” “Sign in with WeChat,” or “Sign in with Google.”
This method is called “Single Sign-On” and offers these benefits:
- No need to remember new passwords
- Faster login
AboutVirgo supports the following methods:
- Sign in with Apple
- Login with Google
- Facebook Connect
- OpenID
When you choose these options, the third-party platform will verify your identity and inform you which information it can share (typically your name and email address). You can choose whether to authorize this.
Additionally, platforms like Facebook allow you to sync your AboutVirgo activity to your Moments, such as “I just saved a set of images.”
This feature is disabled by default unless you actively enable it.
XIII. Privacy in the Referral Program
If you wish to invite friends to join AboutVirgo, you can send an invitation email via the “Referral Feature.”
You will need to provide your friend’s:
- Full name
- Email address
The system will automatically send a one-time invitation and will not send any further messages.
AboutVirgo retains this information solely for:
- Sending invitations
- Tracking referral success
- Managing team account permissions
If your friend prefers not to be contacted, you can contact us anytime to have their information removed.
XIV. International Data Transfers: Where Does Your Data Go When You’re Abroad?
As a globally operating platform, AboutVirgo may transfer user data across different countries.
To reassure users in Europe and the U.S., we’ve adopted several key international privacy frameworks:
✅ EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
- Ensures U.S. companies process EU user data under high privacy standards.
- Regulated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
✅ UK Extension to EU-U.S. DPF
- Also applies to users from the UK and Gibraltar.
✅ Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
- Protects cross-border transfers of Swiss users’ personal data.
This means:
AboutVirgo commits to safeguarding your data according to international standards, preventing arbitrary disclosure or misuse.
Disputes may be submitted to the independent body TRUSTe for mediation. Under exceptional circumstances, arbitration may even be requested.
XV. What if you’re dissatisfied?
If you believe AboutVirgo has not adhered to its privacy policy or you object to data processing, you may:
1. Submit a privacy request form
A dedicated form is available on the official website. You can specify:
- What information you wish to inquire about
- Whether you request data deletion
- Whether you are complaining about a specific action
Every request will be taken seriously.
2. Contact the Data Protection Officer (DPO)
This is an independent oversight role responsible for ensuring company compliance.
Contact:
📧 privacy@aboutvirgo.com
3. File a Complaint with Your Local Regulatory Authority
Users within the European Economic Area (EEA) may report concerns to their national data protection authority under GDPR.
XVI. Summary: What Are Your Rights?
Finally, let’s summarize the tangible rights you possess as a user:
| Right | How to Exercise |
|---|---|
| View your information | Log in → My Account |
| Modify information | Edit in Account Settings |
| Delete account | Operate in “Preferences” |
| Stop receiving promotional emails | Unsubscribe option |
| Opt out of personalized ads | Click opt-out link |
| Disable app push notifications | Turn off notifications in phone settings |
| Request data deletion | Submit privacy request or contact support |
| Object to data processing | Email or fill out form |
| Receive policy change notifications | Check emails or official announcements |
Closing Thoughts: Privacy Matters, But Don’t Overreact
After reading this guide, you should understand:
👉 AboutVirgo collects information for clear purposes—not to “spy” on you.
👉 They employ robust technical measures to protect your data.
👉 You retain significant control over your information.
👉 If dissatisfied, you can opt out or delete your account anytime.
In the internet age, complete “invisibility” is nearly impossible. But by understanding the rules and mastering the tools, we can feel more secure.
Hopefully, this article helps you truly understand privacy policies and stop being intimidated by legal jargon.
If you found this useful, feel free to share it with friends—let’s all become more informed netizens!