Privacy Policy

Effective November 2026

Erik Van Nguyen (doing business as "Ether Studios") ("we," "our," or "us") is a photo, sound and video production studio in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. This policy describes how we collect, use, and protect personal data in connection with Ether Studios and the services offered at etherstudios.co.

Erik Van Nguyen operates on the Common Garden platform, provided by Common Garden LLC. Common Garden processes personal data on our behalf to deliver the services described here — including contact management, messaging delivery, scheduling, and payments — and is contractually restricted to processing it for those purposes. SMS messages are delivered by Twilio, Inc. as a sub-processor. Platform mechanics not specific to Ether Studios — including security practices, international transfers, retention, and cookies — are described in the Common Garden Privacy Policy at https://www.cmngrdn.com/privacy, which is incorporated into this policy by reference.

What we collect

We collect what you give us. When you inquire, that is your name, email, phone number and ZIP code, and what you tell us about the project: its name, the vision, any reference links, the timing, a budget range and where the work would happen. When you join the list, it is your email address.

We use it to reply to you, to plan and quote the work, and — only if you asked for them — to send you news from the studio. We do not sell personal data.

Text messaging

This section describes how we handle information tied to text messages. It applies in addition to everything above.

How you opt in

You may opt in to receive SMS messages from Ether Studios in two ways. Web form opt-in: by entering your mobile number and checking the dedicated SMS consent checkbox on our signup form. The checkbox is unchecked by default, is never required to submit the form or as a condition of any purchase, and is displayed together with the specific consent language, a link to this Privacy Policy, and a link to our Terms. Keyword opt-in: by texting CONNECT to our published number. You will then receive a confirmation message identifying Ether Studios, stating that message frequency varies, stating that message and data rates may apply, and providing HELP and STOP instructions.

How to get help or opt out

Reply HELP for help. A reply of HELP to any message from Ether Studios returns information about the program and how to reach us. Reply STOP (or STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT, OPTOUT, or REVOKE) to stop receiving further SMS messages. You will receive one confirmation of your opt-out, after which no further marketing or transactional SMS will be sent. To resume, reply START or opt in again through the methods above. You may also contact us at inquiries@etherstudios.co at any time.

How we share text-message information

Mobile opt-in consent and mobile phone numbers are not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes under any circumstances. Mobile numbers and related opt-in information are disclosed only to: Erik Van Nguyen, so we can send the messages you consented to receive; Common Garden LLC, which operates the platform on our behalf; Twilio, Inc., our SMS provider, contractually restricted to delivering messages and receiving your replies on our behalf; wireless carriers, as necessary to route messages to your device; and authorities where required by law, subpoena, or other legal process.

Record of your consent

When you opt in, we retain a record of the opt-in method, the number provided, the Ether Studios audience you joined, the date and time, and the exact consent language you agreed to. We retain it for as long as you remain opted in and for a reasonable period afterward to demonstrate compliance with applicable law and mobile industry standards. Opt-outs are recorded the same way, with the date and time they were processed.

Delivery and eligibility

Messages are sent across major U.S. wireless carriers, including but not limited to AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, Cricket, and Virgin Mobile. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages, and delivery is outside our control. The SMS program is available only to individuals in the United States who are at least 13 years of age. You represent that you are the subscriber of the number you provide, or are authorized by the subscriber to opt it in. If you stop being the subscriber of a number you opted in with, please notify us at inquiries@etherstudios.co so we can remove it.

Your choices

You can ask what we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it, and we will, unless the law requires us to keep it. Write to us at the address below.

Contact

Write to inquiries@etherstudios.co. This policy is governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut. See also our Terms of Service and text messaging program.