Privacy Policy

Who We Are

This website (www.next-step-ai.com) is operated by:

NEXT STEP Global FZ-LLC
FDBC3851 Compass Building
Al Shohada Road
Al Hamra Industrial Zone-FZ
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at info@next-step-ai.com.

What Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data about you:

• Identity & Contact Data: name, company name, email address, phone number.
• Professional Data: job title, business interests, project requirements.
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, location data (approximate), referring URLs.
• Usage Data: pages visited, time spent, interactions with our website.
• Communications Data: records of your emails, calls, online meetings, or support requests.
• Marketing Preferences: your consent and preferences regarding receiving marketing from us.

How We Collect Your Data

We collect data through:

• Direct interactions (filling out our contact form, scheduling consultations, sending us emails).
• Automated technologies (cookies, server logs, and similar technologies).
• Publicly available sources (LinkedIn, business websites).

How We Use Your Data

We will use your personal data for:

• Contract performance: to provide our consulting services, respond to inquiries, fulfill obligations.
• Legitimate interests: to manage our business, improve our website, grow our services.
• Legal obligations: for tax, accounting, regulatory compliance.
• Consent: where required, e.g. for sending marketing emails or placing non-essential cookies.

Legal Bases Under GDPR

If you are in the EU/EEA, we process your data based on:

• Performance of a contract – to provide requested services.
• Legitimate interests – running our business, marketing (where legally allowed), improving our services.
• Compliance with a legal obligation.
• Consent – when you opt-in to marketing or non-essential cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us.

How We Share Your Data

We may share your data with:

• Service providers: e.g. website hosting, analytics, CRM systems under strict data processing agreements.
• Professional advisors: auditors, accountants, lawyers.
• Regulators or authorities if legally required.

We do not sell your personal data.

International Transfers

As we are based in the UAE, your personal data may be processed outside your country. Where required by GDPR, we implement safeguards such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission.
• Ensuring our vendors commit to appropriate data protection measures.

How Long We Keep Your Data

We keep your personal data only as long as needed to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, or to comply with legal, accounting, or regulatory requirements.

Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (notably under the GDPR and UAE PDPL), you have the right to:

• Access your data
• Request correction
• Request deletion
• Object to or restrict processing
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority (in the EU, your Supervisory Authority)

To exercise your rights, please contact info@next-step-ai.com.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to make our website work (essential cookies) and to understand how visitors use our site (analytics cookies). If you are visiting from the EU/EEA (or other regions requiring consent), we will ask for your explicit consent before placing non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences or withdraw consent at any time.

Cookie Policy

This section explains how NEXT STEP Global FZ-LLC uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small data files placed on your device when you visit a website. Cookies set by the website owner are called "first-party cookies". Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called "third-party cookies" and enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website.

Why do we use cookies?

• Strictly necessary cookies: Required for the operation of our website, including security and navigation. These cannot be disabled.
• Performance and analytics cookies: Allow us to recognize and count visitors and see how they move around our website, helping us improve it.
• Functionality cookies: Used to recognize you when you return to our website, enabling us to personalize content.
• Targeting or advertising cookies: Record your visit and pages viewed to make our website and advertising more relevant to your interests.

Cookies We Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies — Essential for basic operation (session, security). Cannot be disabled.

Analytics & Performance Cookies — Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat): tracks user behavior anonymously to improve user experience. IP anonymization is enabled. Data may be processed outside the EU under standard contractual clauses.

Marketing & Retargeting Cookies — Facebook Pixel (_fbp): tracks behavior for retargeting on Facebook/Instagram. LinkedIn Insight Tag (li_sugr, UserMatchHistory): tracks visits and conversions for LinkedIn campaigns. These may involve cross-border data transfers.

Functionality & Embedded Services — Calendly (appointment booking), YouTube (embedded videos: VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, YSC, PREF), self-hosted chatbot (conversation context only, not used for tracking).

Third-party cookies

Third-party services embedded on our website (Google, Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube, Calendly) may place their own cookies. We do not control these cookies directly. Please refer to their respective privacy policies.

How can you control cookies?

When you first visit our site, a cookie consent banner allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can also change your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies at any time. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of parts of our website.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:
info@next-step-ai.com