Last updated: 1st July 2026

1. Introduction

S&S Bathrooms Ltd (“S&S Bathrooms”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal data when you:

• visit the S&S Bathrooms website;

• browse our online product catalogue;

• submit an enquiry through the website;

• request information about a product, collection or service;

• subscribe to our newsletter;

• contact us by email, telephone, social media or another communication channel; or

• otherwise interact with S&S Bathrooms.

The S&S Bathrooms website operates as an informational online catalogue. Products cannot be purchased, reserved or paid for directly through the website.

This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions and the cookie settings presented through the website’s cookie consent system.

2. Data Controller

For the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) and other applicable data protection laws, the controller responsible for your personal data is:

S&S Bathrooms Ltd
New Street, Vjal Il-Labour
Naxxar, Malta

Telephone: +356 2141 2222
Email: info@ssbathrooms.com

Questions and requests relating to privacy or personal data should be sent to:

info@ssbathrooms.com

3. Personal Data We Collect

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect the following categories of personal data.

3.1 Identity and Contact Data

This may include:

• first name;

• last name;

• company or organisation name, where relevant;

• email address;

• telephone or mobile number;

• postal address, where voluntarily provided; and

• preferred method of communication.

3.2 Enquiry and Project Data

When you submit an enquiry or request information, we may collect:

• the contents of your message;

• products, brands or collections in which you are interested;

• information about your project;

• measurements, specifications or plans you voluntarily provide;

• preferred consultation dates;

• quotation requirements;

• photographs, drawings or files you choose to provide; and

• other information relevant to your request.

Please do not submit sensitive or unnecessary personal information through the website.

3.3 Newsletter and Marketing Data

Where you subscribe to our newsletter, we may collect:

• your name;

• your email address;

• your subscription status;

• the date and time of subscription;

• the method through which consent was provided;

• your marketing preferences;

• information about newsletter delivery, opening and interaction, where enabled; and

• the date and time of an unsubscribe request.

3.4 Technical and Usage Data

When you visit the website, we or our authorised service providers may collect technical and usage information such as:

• Internet Protocol address;

• browser type and version;

• device type;

• operating system;

• screen resolution;

• approximate geographic location derived from an IP address;

• language and time-zone settings;

• referring website or source;

• pages visited;

• date and time of visits;

• time spent on particular pages;

• links and website elements selected;

• navigation paths;

• website errors and performance data;

• campaign and referral information; and

• cookie, device or similar identifiers.

Technical and usage data may constitute personal data where it can identify or be associated with an individual.

3.5 Communication Data

When you communicate with us, we may retain:

• emails;

• website form submissions;

• correspondence;

• social-media messages;

• records or notes relating to telephone calls; and

• information required to respond to or manage your request.

3.6 Social-Media Data

Where you interact with our pages or content on social-media platforms, we may receive information such as:

• your profile or account name;

• information made publicly available through your profile;

• comments;

• messages;

• reactions;

• content you share with us; and

• information provided by the relevant social-media platform.

Your use of social-media platforms is also governed by the privacy policies and settings of those platforms.

4. How We Collect Personal Data

We collect personal data through the following methods.

4.1 Information You Provide Directly

You provide personal data when you:

• complete a contact or enquiry form;

• request information about a product;

• request a consultation or quotation;

• subscribe to the newsletter;

• contact us by email or telephone;

• contact us through social media;

• visit our showroom; or

• otherwise voluntarily provide information to us.

4.2 Information Collected Automatically

Subject to your cookie preferences, certain information may be collected automatically through:

• cookies and similar technologies;

• Google Analytics;

• Google Tag Manager;

• Meta Pixel;

• web-server logs;

• website security systems; and

• hosting and performance systems.

Strictly necessary technologies may operate without consent where they are essential for website functionality, security or recording your cookie preferences.

Analytics and advertising technologies will be activated only after obtaining consent where required by law.

4.3 Information Received From Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Google;

• Meta;

• Mailchimp;

• website and hosting providers;

• social-media platforms;

• website security and technical support providers;

• suppliers or manufacturers involved in responding to an enquiry; and

• professional advisers, where lawful and necessary.

5. Purposes and Legal Bases for Processing

We process personal data only where a lawful basis applies.

5.1 Responding to Enquiries

We use identity, contact, communication and project data to:

• respond to questions;

• provide product or collection information;

• arrange consultations;

• prepare or discuss quotations;

• communicate about a requested product or service; and

• follow up on enquiries.

Depending on the circumstances, the legal basis is:

• taking steps at your request before entering into a contract;

• performance of a contract;

• our legitimate interest in responding to enquiries and operating our business; or

• consent, where specifically required.

5.2 Managing Customer and Business Relationships

We may process personal data to:

• organise consultations;

• maintain communication records;

• administer customer or prospective customer relationships;

• provide relevant assistance;

• handle complaints or concerns; and

• maintain appropriate business records.

The legal basis is contractual necessity or our legitimate interest in managing our business and relationships with customers and prospective customers.

5.3 Operating and Securing the Website

We may process technical data to:

• host and operate the website;

• maintain website functionality;

• detect and prevent malicious activity;

• prevent spam or misuse;

• investigate technical problems;

• protect our systems and information;

• maintain security logs; and

• ensure business continuity.

The legal basis is our legitimate interest in maintaining a secure, reliable and functional website and, where applicable, compliance with legal obligations.

5.4 Website Analytics

With your consent, we use Google Analytics to:

• understand how visitors use the website;

• measure website traffic;

• identify commonly visited pages and products;

• understand how visitors reach the website;

• evaluate website performance;

• identify technical or usability problems; and

• improve website content and structure.

The legal basis for the storage of or access to analytics information on your device, and the related processing, is your consent.

You may withdraw that consent at any time through the website’s cookie settings.

5.5 Advertising Measurement and Meta Pixel

With your consent, we may use Meta Pixel to:

• measure interactions with the website;

• evaluate the effectiveness of advertising campaigns;

• understand whether visitors reached the website through Meta advertising;

• create aggregated advertising and campaign reports;

• improve audience targeting, where enabled; and

• measure actions taken after viewing or interacting with an advertisement.

Meta Pixel may communicate technical and usage information to Meta.

The legal basis for activating Meta Pixel and processing information through it is your consent.

You may withdraw that consent through the website’s cookie settings.

5.6 Newsletter and Direct Marketing

Where you subscribe to our newsletter, we use your name and email address to send communications such as:

• company news;

• product and collection updates;

• information about brands;

• showroom news;

• promotional communications;

• event invitations; and

• other relevant marketing content.

The legal basis is your consent.

You may withdraw your consent at any time by:

• selecting the unsubscribe link in a newsletter;

• changing your subscription preferences, where available; or

• contacting us at info@ssbathrooms.com.

Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

5.7 Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may process personal data where necessary to:

• comply with applicable laws;

• respond to lawful requests from authorities;

• maintain records required by law;

• establish, exercise or defend legal claims;

• investigate suspected fraud or unlawful activity; and

• protect our legal rights.

The legal basis is compliance with a legal obligation or our legitimate interest in protecting and enforcing our rights.

5.8 Business Administration

We may process personal data for:

• internal administration;

• record keeping;

• quality control;

• business reporting;

• professional advice;

• complaint management;

• auditing; and

• business continuity.

The legal basis is our legitimate interest in managing our business effectively and responsibly.

6. Contact and Enquiry Forms

The website uses JetFormBuilder by Crocoblock to provide contact and enquiry forms.

When you submit a form, the information entered may be:

• transmitted to S&S Bathrooms by email;

• stored within the website’s WordPress database, depending on the form configuration;

• stored within the hosting environment;

• made available to authorised personnel responsible for responding to enquiries; and

• included in backups maintained for security and business-continuity purposes.

The information collected may include your:

• name;

• email address;

• telephone number;

• message;

• project or product interests;

• uploaded files, where enabled;

• IP address or technical submission information, where configured; and

• date and time of submission.

JetFormBuilder is the software used to create and process the forms. Use of the plugin does not necessarily mean that Crocoblock receives the contents of every form submission. Form data is ordinarily processed within the website and its configured hosting, email and integration environment unless a specific external integration has been enabled.

We use form submissions to:

• respond to enquiries;

• provide requested information;

• arrange consultations;

• discuss products or services;

• prevent spam or misuse; and

• maintain records of correspondence.

Submitting a form does not constitute a product order, product reservation or binding contract.

Required form fields must be completed so that we can process the enquiry. We may be unable to respond effectively where required information is not provided.

7. Newsletter and Mailchimp

We use Mailchimp, a service provided by The Rocket Science Group LLC, an Intuit company, to manage newsletter subscriptions and distribute marketing emails.

When you subscribe, information transferred to and processed through Mailchimp may include:

• your name;

• your email address;

• subscription status;

• date, time and source of subscription;

• consent records;

• newsletter preferences;

• IP address or technical subscription information;

• email delivery information;

• whether an email was opened, where tracking is enabled;

• links selected within a newsletter, where tracking is enabled; and

• unsubscribe information.

Mailchimp processes this information on our behalf for purposes such as:

• maintaining our subscriber list;

• sending newsletters;

• managing subscriptions and unsubscribe requests;

• preventing duplicate or unauthorised subscriptions;

• providing campaign performance information; and

• maintaining evidence of consent.

Mailchimp may process personal data outside the European Economic Area, including in the United States.

Where data is transferred internationally, we rely on appropriate legal transfer mechanisms and contractual safeguards made available by Mailchimp, such as applicable adequacy arrangements and Standard Contractual Clauses.

Mailchimp’s Data Processing Addendum incorporates provisions intended to govern processing of European personal data and international transfers.

Newsletter subscriptions should be based on a clear opt-in. Where enabled, a double opt-in procedure may be used to verify the email address and maintain stronger evidence of consent.

Every marketing email will include an unsubscribe method.

After you unsubscribe, limited information may remain on a suppression list so that we can respect your request and avoid sending further marketing emails to the same address.

8. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, to understand how visitors use the website.

Subject to your consent, Google Analytics may collect or generate information such as:

• pages visited;

• time and duration of visits;

• general interaction with website content;

• referral source;

• device and browser information;

• approximate geographic information;

• campaign information;

• IP address and related technical information; and

• cookie or device identifiers.

We use this information to produce statistics, evaluate website performance and improve website content and usability.

Google may process information through its systems and according to its applicable privacy and data-processing terms. Google explains that its services may collect information about website and application use and that users have controls relating to their information.

Google Analytics will be categorised as an analytics service and should not be activated until the visitor has consented to analytics cookies, where consent is legally required.

Visitors may:

• reject analytics cookies through the cookie banner;

• withdraw consent through cookie settings;

• delete cookies through browser settings; or

• use available browser privacy controls.

Where supported by the website configuration, data-minimisation settings such as limited data retention, restricted advertising features and appropriate consent controls should be applied.

9. Google Tag Manager

We use Google Tag Manager to manage and deploy website tags and scripts.

Google Tag Manager assists with the technical management of services such as:

• Google Analytics;

• Meta Pixel;

• consent-related configurations; and

• other approved website measurement tools.

Google Tag Manager is a tag-management system. Its presence does not mean that every configured service is automatically permitted to run.

Tags that perform analytics, advertising or other non-essential tracking should be blocked until the visitor provides the appropriate consent.

Google Tag Manager may process technical information necessary to deliver and manage tags. Any information processed by an individual tag is governed by the purpose and provider of that specific service.

10. Meta Pixel

We use Meta Pixel, a technology provided by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and related Meta entities.

Meta describes the Pixel as technology that allows website visitor activity to be measured and the effectiveness of Meta advertising to be evaluated.

Subject to your consent, Meta Pixel may collect or receive information such as:

• pages visited;

• buttons or links selected;

• referral and campaign information;

• browser and device data;

• IP address;

• cookie identifiers;

• website interaction information; and

• events configured by S&S Bathrooms, such as viewing a page or submitting an enquiry form.

We may use Meta Pixel data to:

• measure advertising performance;

• understand whether a visit resulted from a Meta advertisement;

• prepare campaign reports;

• improve advertising relevance; and

• create or refine advertising audiences, where enabled and legally permitted.

Meta may combine information received through its business tools with other information processed under its own terms and privacy policy.

Meta Pixel will be treated as an advertising or marketing technology and should not be activated before the visitor provides consent.

Visitors can withdraw consent through the website’s cookie settings and may also manage advertising preferences through their Meta account settings.

11. Website Hosting and Hostinger

The website is hosted using services provided by Hostinger.

Hostinger may process or store information necessary to provide hosting, infrastructure, security, backup and technical services, including:

• website files and databases;

• form submissions stored within the website;

• server logs;

• IP addresses;

• request dates and times;

• browser or device information;

• security events;

• error logs; and

• backup copies.

Hostinger acts as a service provider or processor to the extent that it processes personal data on our behalf for hosting and related services.

Hostinger publishes a Data Processing Addendum addressing its processing obligations and applicable data protection laws.

The physical location of particular data may depend on the hosting plan, data-centre selection, backup arrangements and Hostinger’s authorised subprocessors.

We will take reasonable steps to ensure that an appropriate contractual and legal framework applies to the hosting and processing of personal data.

12. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website uses cookies and similar technologies.

A cookie is a small file placed on or accessed from a visitor’s device when using a website.

Cookies may be session cookies, which are removed when the browser is closed, or persistent cookies, which remain for a specified period.

12.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly necessary cookies support functions such as:

• website security;

• network management;

• basic website operation;

• maintaining cookie preferences;

• form operation;

• load balancing; and

• fraud or spam prevention.

These cookies may be used without consent where they are genuinely necessary to provide the website or a function requested by the visitor.

12.2 Analytics Cookies

With your consent, analytics cookies may be used through Google Analytics to:

• measure website traffic;

• understand visitor behaviour;

• identify popular pages;

• evaluate performance; and

• improve the website.

12.3 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

With your consent, marketing cookies and similar technologies may be used through Meta Pixel to:

• measure advertising performance;

• associate visits with advertising campaigns;

• understand interactions following an advertisement; and

• improve advertising relevance.

12.4 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies may support additional website features and preferences.

Where these cookies are not strictly necessary, they will be activated only after the relevant consent has been obtained.

12.5 Managing Consent

When you first visit the website, you should be presented with options to:

• accept all non-essential cookies;

• reject all non-essential cookies;

• select particular cookie categories; and

• obtain additional information.

Rejecting non-essential cookies should be as accessible as accepting them.

You may change or withdraw consent at any time through the cookie settings available on the website.

Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

You may also configure your browser to block or delete cookies. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may affect website functionality.

12.6 Cookie List

The cookie consent tool should provide an up-to-date list containing, where applicable:

• cookie or technology name;

• provider;

• purpose;

• category;

• duration; and

• whether data may be shared with or processed by a third party.

The cookie list should be generated from or verified against an actual scan of the published website and reviewed whenever tags, plugins or integrations are changed.

13. Sharing Personal Data

We do not sell your personal data.

We may disclose personal data to the following categories of recipients where necessary and lawful.

13.1 Website and Technology Providers

These may include providers of:

• Hostinger hosting and infrastructure;

• WordPress website functionality;

• JetFormBuilder form functionality;

• website maintenance;

• cybersecurity;

• cloud services;

• email delivery;

• backups;

• spam prevention; and

• technical support.

13.2 Analytics and Advertising Providers

Subject to consent where required, information may be processed through:

• Google Analytics;

• Google Tag Manager;

• Meta Pixel; and

• associated Google and Meta services.

13.3 Email Marketing Providers

Newsletter and subscriber information may be processed through Mailchimp.

13.4 Suppliers and Manufacturers

Where necessary to respond to an enquiry or obtain product information, we may disclose limited relevant information to a:

• supplier;

• manufacturer;

• distributor; or

• authorised representative.

We will disclose only the information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

13.5 Professional Advisers

We may disclose relevant information to:

• lawyers;

• accountants;

• auditors;

• insurers;

• consultants; and

• other professional advisers.

13.6 Public Authorities

We may disclose information where required by:

• law;

• court order;

• regulatory requirement;

• law-enforcement request; or

• another legally authorised request.

13.7 Business Transfers

If all or part of our business is reorganised, sold, transferred or merged, relevant personal data may be disclosed to advisers, prospective purchasers or successor organisations, subject to appropriate confidentiality and data protection safeguards.

14. Service Providers and Data Processors

Third-party providers may process personal data on our behalf.

Where required by law, we use appropriate contractual arrangements requiring processors to:

• process personal data only on documented instructions;

• maintain confidentiality;

• implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures;

• assist us with applicable data protection obligations;

• control the use of subprocessors;

• notify us of relevant security incidents;

• delete or return personal data when required; and

• comply with applicable data protection law.

Our principal website-related providers include:

• Hostinger — website hosting, infrastructure, logs and backups;

• JetFormBuilder/Crocoblock — website form software;

• Mailchimp — newsletter subscriptions and email marketing;

• Google — analytics and tag-management services; and

• Meta — advertising measurement through Meta Pixel.

15. International Data Transfers

Some providers used by the website operate internationally or may process personal data outside Malta and the European Economic Area.

This may apply particularly to services provided by:

• Mailchimp;

• Google;

• Meta;

• Hostinger or its subprocessors; and

• other technical service providers.

Where personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that a recognised legal transfer mechanism applies.

Such mechanisms may include:

• a European Commission adequacy decision;

• participation in an applicable recognised data-transfer framework;

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission;

• supplementary contractual, organisational or technical safeguards; or

• another transfer mechanism permitted by applicable law.

The applicable mechanism may vary according to the provider, recipient, destination country and nature of the processing.

You may contact us at info@ssbathrooms.com for further information about safeguards relevant to your personal data.

16. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including legal, regulatory, accounting, security and dispute-resolution requirements.

When deciding how long to retain information, we consider:

• the nature and sensitivity of the data;

• the purpose for which it was collected;

• whether an enquiry developed into a customer relationship;

• applicable legal requirements;

• the need to establish, exercise or defend legal claims;

• security and fraud-prevention requirements; and

• whether continued retention is proportionate.

Unless a longer period is required or reasonably justified, the following retention periods will generally apply:

• general website enquiries: up to 24 months after the last meaningful communication;

• enquiries that develop into a customer or contractual relationship: for the duration of the relationship and any additional period required by accounting, tax, warranty or legal obligations;

• newsletter subscription information: until consent is withdrawn or the subscription is otherwise terminated, subject to periodic review;

• newsletter suppression records: for as long as reasonably necessary to ensure that an unsubscribe request is respected;

• cookie consent records: for the period necessary to demonstrate consent and manage preferences, generally up to 24 months unless refreshed sooner;

• analytics data: according to the retention period configured within Google Analytics, which should be kept to the shortest period reasonably required;

• advertising and Meta Pixel data: according to the applicable Meta settings and retention terms;

• server, access and security logs: generally between 30 and 180 days, unless longer retention is necessary to investigate a security incident;

• website backups: according to the configured Hostinger or website backup cycle; and

• complaint or legal records: for as long as reasonably necessary to resolve the matter and protect legal rights.

Information may be retained for a longer period where required by law, an active dispute, a security investigation or a lawful authority request.

We may anonymise personal data so that it can no longer be associated with an identifiable person. Properly anonymised information may be retained for statistical, analytical or business purposes.

17. Data Security

We apply reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data against:

• unauthorised access;

• accidental loss;

• unlawful disclosure;

• alteration;

• misuse;

• destruction; and

• other unlawful processing.

Measures may include, where appropriate:

• access controls;

• password protection;

• secure hosting;

• encryption in transit;

• software and plugin updates;

• security monitoring;

• backups;

• anti-malware protection;

• limitation of administrative access;

• staff confidentiality obligations; and

• procedures for responding to security incidents.

Access to personal data is restricted to persons who reasonably require it for legitimate business purposes.

No website, transmission method or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. We therefore cannot guarantee absolute security.

18. Personal Data Breaches

Where a personal data breach occurs, we will assess:

• the nature of the incident;

• the categories and amount of data involved;

• the likely consequences for affected individuals; and

• the measures available to reduce possible harm.

Where required by law, we will notify the competent supervisory authority and affected individuals within the legally applicable period.

19. Your Data Protection Rights

Subject to applicable law and any relevant exemptions, you may have the following rights.

19.1 Right of Access

You may request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and obtain access to relevant data and processing information.

19.2 Right to Rectification

You may request correction of inaccurate information or completion of incomplete information.

19.3 Right to Erasure

You may request deletion of personal data in certain circumstances.

This right is not absolute and may not apply where continued retention is required by law or necessary for legal claims.

19.4 Right to Restriction

You may request restriction of processing in circumstances provided by law.

19.5 Right to Data Portability

Where processing is based on consent or a contract and carried out by automated means, you may request relevant information in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

19.6 Right to Object

You may object to processing based on legitimate interests where your particular circumstances justify the objection.

You have the right to object at any time to processing for direct-marketing purposes.

19.7 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time.

This includes consent relating to:

• newsletter marketing;

• analytics cookies;

• Meta Pixel;

• advertising technologies; and

• other non-essential cookies.

Withdrawal does not affect processing carried out lawfully before consent was withdrawn.

19.8 Rights Relating to Automated Decisions

You may have rights relating to decisions based solely on automated processing that produce legal or similarly significant effects.

S&S Bathrooms does not currently use website data to make such automated decisions.

19.9 Right to Lodge a Complaint

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

In Malta, the relevant authority is the:

Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner

You may contact the Commissioner through the current contact channels published on its official website.

We encourage you to contact us first at info@ssbathrooms.com so that we have an opportunity to address your concern.

20. Exercising Your Rights

To exercise a data protection right, contact:

info@ssbathrooms.com

Please provide:

• your name;

• the right you wish to exercise;

• a description of the information or processing concerned; and

• any details that may help us locate the relevant records.

We may request reasonable proof of identity before responding. This is intended to protect personal data from unauthorised access or disclosure.

We will respond within the period required by applicable law.

Requests will normally be handled without charge. Where permitted by law, we may charge a reasonable fee or refuse to act on a request that is manifestly unfounded, excessive or repetitive.

21. Children’s Privacy

The website is intended for a general adult audience and is not directed specifically at children.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal data from children through the website.

If you believe that a child has submitted personal data without appropriate authorisation, please contact us at info@ssbathrooms.com so that the matter can be reviewed.

22. Third-Party Websites and Social Media

The website may contain links to:

• supplier and manufacturer websites;

• social-media platforms;

• maps;

• videos;

• external catalogues; and

• other third-party websites or services.

S&S Bathrooms does not control the privacy practices of third-party websites.

When you follow an external link, the relevant third party may collect personal data under its own privacy policy and terms.

You should review the privacy information of an external service before providing personal data.

23. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

• changes to the website;

• changes to plugins or technologies;

• changes to analytics or advertising services;

• changes to service providers;

• changes to our processing activities;

• legal or regulatory developments; or

• changes to our business operations.

The updated version will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

Where appropriate, material changes may also be communicated through the website, cookie banner, newsletter or another suitable method.

24. Contact Us

For questions, concerns or requests concerning this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal data, contact:

S&S Bathrooms Ltd
New Street, Vjal Il-Labour
Naxxar, Malta

Telephone: +356 2141 2222
Email: info@ssbathrooms.com

Company registration number: [INSERT COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER]

---

This Privacy Policy applies to the S&S Bathrooms informational website, online product catalogue, website enquiry forms, newsletter subscriptions, website analytics, advertising measurement and related communications.