Privacy Commitment
97.7 HTZ-FM is part of Whiteoaks Communications Group. The Privacy Policy for this station is managed through Whiteoaks to ensure consistency and care across our organization.
At Whiteoaks Communications Group, we believe trust is earned through transparency. We take privacy seriously because it is about respect for our listeners, our advertisers, our partners, and our people.
This Privacy Commitment outlines the principles that guide how we handle personal information across our stations, websites, and digital services.
Our promise:
- We collect only what is necessary, and only with your knowledge or consent.
- We explain why we collect information and how we use it.
- We protect personal information with appropriate safeguards.
- We give you access to your information and the ability to correct or withdraw consent.
- We keep information only as long as needed or required by law.
- We hold ourselves accountable through a privacy management program led by our Privacy Officer.
If you have questions about anything in this Policy or how we protect your personal information, contact us at privacy@whiteoaksgroup.ca.
Privacy Policy
Version Date: October 8, 2025
Whiteoaks Communications Group Ltd., together with its licensed subsidiaries Trafalgar Broadcasting Ltd. and Golden Horseshoe Broadcasting Ltd. (collectively, “Whiteoaks,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), operates a portfolio of radio stations and digital properties throughout Southern Ontario.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect personal information across all Whiteoaks-owned or operated stations, websites, and online services.For this Policy, “personal information” means any information that can identify you, either on its own or combined with other details, as defined under Canada’s privacy law (PIPEDA).
If you visit, stream, advertise with us, or otherwise engage with our platforms, this Policy applies to you.
Which activities does this Privacy Policy cover?
This Policy applies to all personal information collected through our radio stations, websites, advertising services, streaming platforms, contests, promotions, social media channels, and any other interactions with Whiteoaks.
It does not apply to:
- Employee records (covered by an internal employee privacy policy).
- Information collected and used solely for journalistic, editorial, or historical purposes.
This Policy is governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
This Policy aligns with the principles of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and industry standards for Canadian broadcasters.
How do we obtain your consent?
We collect personal information only by lawful and transparent means, with your knowledge or consent. Consent may be express (for example, checking a box or submitting a form) or implied when it is clear from context, such as when you enter a contest, request information, or stream a station.
We rely on implied consent only where the purpose would be reasonably expected by the individual and the information is not sensitive. You may withdraw consent at any time (see the What are your privacy rights? section below).
If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not use our sites, apps, or other services that require personal information.
What personal information do we collect?
The information we collect depends on how you interact with us. It may include:
- Contact information: name, email, phone number, mailing address.
- Demographic information: age, location, or preferences (when voluntarily provided).
- Contest and promotion entries: submissions, recordings, photos, or likeness.
- Advertising inquiries: business contact information and communications.
- Employment applications: work history, education, and qualifications.
- Technical data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, and site usage statistics collected through analytics tools.
- Streaming data: listening duration, platform used, and approximate region (via Triton Digital or Omny Studio analytics).
We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13 years old.
Why do we collect and use personal information?
We collect and use personal information to:
- Provide and improve our stations, websites, and digital services.
- Administer contests and promotions.
- Communicate with listeners, advertisers, and community partners.
- Deliver and measure advertising campaigns (including personalized ads).
- Respond to questions, comments, or feedback.
- Process job or internship applications.
- Maintain security and prevent fraud.
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
We take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, and up to date for its intended use.
We will not use or disclose your personal information for any other purpose without your consent, except as permitted or required by law.
When and how do we use cookies and other tracking tools?
We use cookies and similar technologies to help our websites function efficiently, understand how they are used, and improve user experience.
Cookies fall into the following categories:
- Necessary: enable basic site functions and security.
- Functional: support features like social sharing or saved preferences.
- Analytics: measure site usage and traffic patterns.
- Performance: monitor load speed and stability.
- Advertisement: deliver personalized advertising based on browsing behaviour.
We and our partners may use tools such as Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Ad Manager, Google AdSense, and Meta Pixel to understand audience behaviour and serve relevant content.
You can manage or withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time through the site’s cookie preferences panel or your browser settings. For details, see our Cookie Policy.
You can also opt out of interest-based advertising through the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada’s tool at https://youradchoices.ca/en/tools.
We currently do not respond to browser-based “Do Not Track” signals, but you can manage cookie preferences through your browser or our site settings.
Who do we work with to deliver content and advertising?
We work with service providers and partners who help us deliver content, advertising, and analytics. These may include:
- Advertising and monetization: Google Ad Manager, Google AdSense, TargetSpot, EQ Works.
- Analytics and optimization: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager.
- Streaming and podcast hosting: Triton Digital, Omny Studio.
- Cloud and web services: hosting and email platforms supporting our sites.
These partners may collect or receive limited information from your browser or device to support measurement or ad delivery.
All third-party partners are bound by contractual or other legal obligations requiring them to protect personal information and use it only for authorized purposes.
Each partner operates under its own privacy policy and is required to meet acceptable privacy and security standards consistent with this Policy.
Do we transfer information outside of Canada?
Some of our partners and service providers are based outside of Canada, including in the United States.
When personal information is transferred across borders, it is subject to the laws of the receiving jurisdiction.
We ensure that any such transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards consistent with Canadian privacy standards.
How long do we keep personal information and how do we protect it?
We keep personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by law.
Contest entries, contact form submissions, and similar communications are typically retained for up to 12 months unless longer retention is needed for legal, audit, or compliance reasons.
Some analytics and advertising data may be retained longer by our third-party partners in accordance with their own legal requirements and privacy policies.
We use physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards to protect information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access.
Access to personal information is limited to authorized personnel who require it to perform their duties.
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.
What are your privacy rights?
Under Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information.
- Ask for corrections or updates to that information.
- Withdraw consent for future collection, use, or disclosure (subject to legal or contractual restrictions).
Requests must be made in writing to:
Attention: Privacy Officer
Whiteoaks Communications Group Ltd.
309 Church Street, Oakville, ON L6J 1N9
Email: privacy@whiteoaksgroup.ca
We respond to written access or correction requests within 30 days, unless an extension is permitted by law.
We may need to verify your identity before processing a request.
If we cannot provide certain information, we will explain why, subject to legal limits.
How will we notify you of changes to this Policy?
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technology.
When updates occur, we will post the revised version with a new Version Date at the top. Your continued use of our websites or services after updates means you accept the revised Policy.
How can you contact us with questions or concerns?
Questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Policy or our handling of personal information can be directed to:
Attention: Privacy Officer
Whiteoaks Communications Group Ltd.
309 Church Street, Oakville, ON L6J 1N9
Email: privacy@whiteoaksgroup.ca
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Toll-Free: 1-800-282-1376
Website: www.priv.gc.ca
