User Permissions and Data

When businesses use SegMetrics, questions often arise about what happens to valuable marketing data when key personnel change. This article explains the concepts behind account ownership, data continuity, and the various scenarios that can occur when the original account creator moves on.

Account Ownership vs Data Access

SegMetrics distinguishes between data ownership and user access in important ways. Your marketing data belongs to your business, not to the individual who originally set up the account. This means that when an employee, contractor, or agency representative who created your SegMetrics account leaves, your data remains intact and accessible.

However, there's a crucial distinction between having access to data and having administrative control over the account. Users with standard credentials can view reports, analyze data, and perform most day-to-day activities. But only users with "owner" credentials can make significant account changes, manage billing, or add and remove team members.

Why User Roles Matter for Business Continuity

The role structure in SegMetrics exists to protect businesses from losing access to their own data due to personnel changes. When only one person has owner-level access, businesses face risks if that person becomes unavailable or leaves the company unexpectedly.

This is why it's important to understand that owner credentials can be transferred or shared among team members. The system is designed to prevent situations where businesses lose control of their own marketing analytics simply because one person left the organization.

Data Retention and Business Protection

SegMetrics employs a multi-stage data retention policy that balances business needs with practical considerations. When an account is cancelled, the system provides a 14-day grace period where data continues to update normally. This protects against accidental cancellations or temporary billing issues.

After the grace period, data remains in the system for an additional 30 days before permanent deletion. This extended timeline acknowledges that business decisions sometimes need to be reversed, and that billing complications can take time to resolve. The policy is designed to give businesses maximum opportunity to maintain continuity while also ensuring that cancelled accounts don't consume resources indefinitely.

Agency Relationships and Account Independence

Many businesses work with marketing agencies that set up and manage their SegMetrics accounts. While these partnerships can be highly valuable, they also create potential dependencies that businesses should understand.

When an agency creates the initial account, they typically become the owner by default. This arrangement works well during active partnerships, but it can create complications if the business relationship ends. The business may find itself relying on the agency not just for expertise, but for basic access to their own data.

SegMetrics recognizes this common scenario and provides mechanisms for businesses to maintain independence. The ability to transfer ownership or create additional owner accounts ensures that businesses can continue using the platform regardless of changes in their agency relationships.

Privacy Compliance and Data Protection

SegMetrics takes data protection seriously and maintains compliance with major privacy regulations including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These regulations affect how customer data is handled, stored, and transferred, particularly during account transitions.

When account ownership changes or personnel leave, businesses need to consider their obligations under these privacy laws. For example, GDPR gives individuals rights over their personal data, including the right to have data deleted under certain circumstances. Similarly, CCPA provides California residents with specific rights regarding their personal information.

SegMetrics' data retention policies are designed with these regulatory requirements in mind. The staged deletion process (14-day grace period followed by 30 days of data retention) provides businesses time to comply with any data subject requests or legal obligations that may arise during ownership transitions.

For detailed information about how SegMetrics handles privacy compliance, data processing, and your rights and obligations under various privacy laws, please review our Privacy Policy.

Planning for Transitions

The most effective approach to managing account transitions is proactive planning. Rather than waiting for personnel changes to occur, businesses benefit from establishing clear ownership structures early in their SegMetrics usage.

This might involve ensuring that multiple internal team members have appropriate access levels, or establishing clear protocols with agencies about account ownership and data access. The goal is to prevent disruptions to marketing analytics during times when businesses are already dealing with the complexities of personnel or partnership changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What happens to my data if the founding user leaves my company?

A. Your data remains intact and accessible. The departure of the original account creator doesn't affect your ability to access historical data or continue using SegMetrics for daily operations.

Q. Can I still use SegMetrics if my ads agency and I part ways?

A. Yes, you can continue using SegMetrics independently. However, you may want to ensure you have owner-level access and consider getting training if your agency was managing the platform for you.

Q. How long is my data kept after I cancel my account?

A. SegMetrics maintains a 14-day grace period where data continues updating, followed by 30 additional days of data retention before permanent deletion.

Q. What's the difference between user and owner credentials?

A. Users can access data and perform most daily tasks, while owners can manage billing, account settings, team members, and make administrative changes.

Q. How does SegMetrics comply with GDPR and CCPA?

A. SegMetrics maintains compliance with major privacy regulations through appropriate data handling, retention policies, and user rights management. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Q. Can support help transfer account ownership?

A. Yes, SegMetrics support can assist with transferring owner credentials to appropriate team members when needed. Contact support@segmetrics.io for assistance.