Privacy policy

Updated: July 1, 2026

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (“Fender,” “us,” “we,” or “Company”), its affiliates, subsidiaries, and portfolio of brands (Squier^® Guitars, Jackson^® Guitars, Gretsch^® Guitars, Charvel^® Guitars, EVH^® Guitars, Bigsby^® Vibratos, and PreSonus^® Audio Electronics) appreciate your use of and contributions to our websites, our mobile and desktop applications, our other properties, or our related services (collectively known as the “Fender Properties” or, each individually, a “Fender Property”).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and disclose personal information about you when you visit a Fender Property or otherwise interact with Fender.

CONTENTS

1. Changes to This Privacy Policy
2. What Information Does Fender Collect?
3. How Do We Use The Information?
4. How Do We Disclose Your Personal Information?
5. For How Long Do We Retain Your Personal Information?
6. Targeted Advertising and Analytics
7. Your Privacy Rights
8. How Can You Exercise Your Data Subject Rights?
9. Children’s Information
10. International Transfers of Personal Information
11. Notice to Individuals in The European Economic Area, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom
12. Notice to Individuals Residing in Certain U.S. States
13. Contact Information
14. Notice to Job Applicants

1. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date of the current Privacy Policy is noted at the top and bottom of this page.

If we make material changes to the way we collect, use, or disclose the personal information that we have about you, we will notify you by posting a notice of the changes in a clear and conspicuous manner on the relevant Fender Properties or via the most recent email address we have on file for you.

2. WHAT INFORMATION DOES FENDER COLLECT?

Information You Provide to Us:

You are not required to provide personal information in order to visit Fender Properties. You must, however, register and provide personal information in order to access certain portions of or use some or all of the features of certain Fender Properties, receive Fender communications, and to enter contests and other promotions.
When using the Fender Properties, Fender may collect the following information you provide to us:

• Contact information, including name, address, phone number, and email address;
• Demographic information, including gender, age, birthdate, number of children, interests, and household income;
• Product and service preferences; and
• Online user account information, including username, password, profile picture, instrument skill level, and left or right hand preference.
• Audio recordings, voice samples, and other creative content you submit to AI-powered features within Fender Studio Pro and similar Fender products.

If you make a purchase from us, we work with third-party payment processors and financing partners to collect and process your payment information.
If you are a business customer, we may also collect the name of your employer and your job title.

Information We Automatically Collect:

• Device and usage information and information collected via cookies and other tracking technologies: When you use Fender Properties, we collect some information that your technologies may automatically provide to us, including Internet or other electronic network activity information, such as your device’s IP address, referring website, what pages your device visited, and the time that your device visited the Fender Properties. This may also include which browser and operating system you use, command link information, diagnostic information related to the Fender Properties, your mobile carrier, the device you use, and search terms. We do not currently recognize automated browser signals regarding tracking mechanisms, which may include “Do Not Track” instructions. We may also collect information through cookies or other tracking technologies, as further specified in our “Cookie Preference Center.”
• Transaction information: When you make a purchase, we automatically collect certain information about the transaction, such as products purchased, purchase price, and the date and location of the transaction.
• Audio recordings and customer service and chat conversations: If you contact customer service through our chat feature, we may monitor and retain the chat conversation, including for training purposes. We also capture audio recordings during calls with you. Please do not use the chat feature or participate in calls with us if you do not consent to our monitoring and retention of chat conversations and calls with you.

Information We Derive:
We may derive information or draw inferences about you based on the information we collect. For example, we may make inferences about your approximate location based on your IP address or infer your skill level or that you are looking to purchase certain products based on your browsing behavior and past purchases.

Information We Collect from Other Sources:
If someone purchases a gift card for you, we collect information about you from the purchaser. This information may include your contact information such as an email address.
We also receive information from data brokers. This information includes but is not limited to demographic information such as gender, age or age range, race or ethnicity, marital status, family composition, veteran status, and income, as well as contact information such as name, address, and zip code.

3. HOW DO WE USE THE INFORMATION?

Fender uses personal information for the following purposes:

Sale and Customer Service: Fender uses your information to fulfill your order and provide you with customer service, including to respond proactively to exceptional circumstances or events affecting our customers.

AI Sales Channel Order Fulfillment: If you purchase a product through a third-party AI platform, we use your personal information to process, fulfill, and ship your order and for related customer service purposes. We will not use your contact information obtained through an AI Sales Channel for marketing purposes unless you separately opt in to receive marketing communications from us.

Direct Marketing: Fender uses your contact information for its own marketing purposes, e.g., to update you on our latest products, promotional offers, and events.
If you are an existing customer and have provided your contact information to Fender in the course of a commercial transaction; if someone has provided us with your email as a contact for certain transactions (e.g., gift card purchases); when you register for an account or interact with our website and services; when you communicate with us or sign up for promotional materials; when you participate in special activities, offers, or programs; when you engage with our online communities or advertising; or when you connect with us through social media with Fender, we may use your address, phone number, email, or social media contact information to contact you about Fender Properties, promotional offers, and events.
If you do not wish to be contacted for such email or text message marketing purposes and wish to opt out, please follow the instructions in those communications or, for email messages, by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.

Text Messaging: Our website uses cookies to keep track of your shopping cart and order history, including when you have abandoned your cart, in order to send you cart reminder text messages. Personal information collected through our text message program (for example, your mobile number, opt‑in/opt‑out confirmations, and message content) is used to provide the text messages you request and to operate and administer the program. We do not sell, share, rent, or otherwise disclose this personal information to any third party, including our corporate affiliates, for that party’s own marketing or advertising purposes (including cross‑context behavioral advertising). We allow access to this information only to service providers (including affiliates acting as our service providers) that process it on our behalf under written agreements that limit their use to providing services to us and require appropriate confidentiality and security. We may disclose this information if required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation or to comply with law enforcement or legal process.

Website/App Administration: Fender will use your information to administer its site and maintain your account (including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, site/app improvement, website/app security).

Administer contests, sweepstakes, and promotions: Fender will use your information to administer and fulfill contests, sweepstakes, and other promotions and deliver rewards.

Analyze trends and statistics: We use your information to analyze trends and statistics, learn more about your shopping preferences and your interaction with the Fender Properties, and improve your shopping experience. We also collect and process demographic information for internal business analytics, marketing strategy development, and customer relationship management.

Security: We use your information to detect, investigate, and prevent security incidents and protect against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity.

Targeted Advertising: We use your information to target advertisements to you on third-party platforms and websites unless you have opted out (see the “Targeted Advertising and Analytics” section for more information).

Comply with legal and financial obligations including regulatory reporting requirements.

Other: Fender will use your personal information for the purpose of communicating to and with you as requested or any other purpose for which you disclose it specifically to us. If you wish for us to cease use of your personal information, you may use the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website) to submit your request.
In addition, Fender may use and disclose aggregated anonymous information that does not uniquely identify you to improve and enrich our services and website/app content or in other ways in accordance with applicable law. Fender processes, maintains, and uses this information only in a de-identified fashion and will not attempt to re-identify such information, except as permitted by law.

4. HOW DO WE DISCLOSE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Fender may disclose your personal information as follows:

Suppliers and Service Providers: Fender may disclose your personal information with suppliers, service providers, vendors, and contractors who perform services on our behalf to provide, improve, and personalize services provided by Fender Properties such as companies that assist us with web hosting, shipping and delivery, fraud prevention, customer service, financing and payment processing, and analytics.

AI Service Providers: Fender uses third-party artificial intelligence and machine learning service providers in connection with AI-powered features in Fender Studio Pro and similar Fender products. Personal information shared with these providers may include audio recordings, account identifiers, IP address, device information, project metadata, and prompts you submit. Current AI service providers include Moises Systems, Inc. (d/b/a Music AI) for audio processing features (stem separation, stem generation, and voice conversion) and OpenAI for the Studio Assistant feature. The list of AI service providers may change from time to time.

Affiliates: Fender may disclose your personal information to our foreign and domestic affiliates and subsidiaries to provide, improve, and personalize services provided by Fender Properties for marketing purposes or advertising or for other purposes in accordance with applicable law.

Advertising and Marketing: With advertising and marketing partners for advertising and marketing purposes on Fender’s behalf and on behalf of third parties; and with companies involved in interest-based advertising, including web, mobile app, and other advertising for ads that are personalized and displayed on Fender Properties and through other channels, collectively to provide you with relevant promotional information.

Legal Process: Fender may disclose your personal information to third parties in response to subpoenas, warrants, or court orders, or in connection with any legal process, or to comply with relevant laws.

Legal Claims: Fender may disclose your personal information to third parties in order to establish or exercise our rights, to defend against a legal claim, to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding possible illegal activities, suspected fraud, safety of person or property, or a violation of our policies, or to comply with your request for the shipment of products to or the provision of services by a third-party intermediary.

Mergers and Acquisitions: In the event of a change in control of Fender Properties or sale by Fender of all or part of its assets, any information owned by or in the control of Fender may be transferred to such Fender successor, investor, or owner.

Professional Advisors: We disclose personal information to our legal, financial, insurance and other advisors in connection with the kinds of corporate transactions described above or in connection with the management of Fender’s business or operations.

Consent. We make personal information available to third parties when we have your consent or you intentionally direct us to do so.
For clarity, if you consent to receive text messages (including SMS messages) from us, we will not permit third parties to rely on that consent to text you (except when texting on our behalf), unless otherwise permitted by law.

AI-Powered Sales Channels: Our products may be available for purchase through third-party AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google AI Mode and Gemini, through a feature integrated with our eCommerce platform (“AI Sales Channels”). When you purchase a product through an AI Sales Channel, the AI platform collects personal information from you (such as your name, email address, phone number, and shipping address) and shares it with us and our eCommerce provider to process and fulfill your order. We may also share order-related information, such as delivery status and tracking details, back to the AI platform to provide you with post-purchase updates. These AI platforms operate as independent businesses and are not acting on our behalf as service providers. Their collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information is governed by their own terms of service and privacy policies, which we encourage you to review. We do not control how these platforms use information they collect directly from you during your interaction with their services.

5. FOR HOW LONG DO WE RETAIN YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We will retain your personal information for only as long as you maintain an account or as otherwise necessary to provide you the applicable services through Fender Properties. We will also retain your personal information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Where we no longer need to process your personal information for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy, we will either delete or anonymize your personal information in our systems so that it can no longer be attributed to a particular individual. In the event that any residual information that we are not able to anonymize remains within our system, we will isolate such information from further processing until deletion or anonymization is possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at the contact information in Section 13.

The criteria we use to determine how long we keep the main categories of personal information are:

• Identifiers and contact information (such as your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and account details): for as long as your account is active and, after it closes, for as long as needed to meet our legal, tax, and dispute-resolution obligations. Contact information used for marketing is kept until you unsubscribe or become inactive, and is reviewed and refreshed periodically.
• Commercial information (records of purchases and transactions): retained with our financial and accounting records for as long as required to meet our tax, accounting, and audit obligations.
• Internet and other electronic network activity (browsing, device, and cookie data): for the lifespan of the relevant cookies and similar technologies described in our Cookie Preference Center; related cookie and consent-management records are kept for as long as needed to administer your preferences and demonstrate our compliance.
• Approximate geolocation: kept only as long as the activity or identifier from which it is derived, and not retained separately.
• Characteristics of protected classifications and equal-opportunity data: where you provide this for equal-opportunity monitoring, retained for as long as required to meet our equal-opportunity and recordkeeping obligations.
• Professional and employment-related information (job applicants and employees): if you are not hired, retained for as long as needed to consider you for the role and other opportunities and to meet our legal and recordkeeping obligations; if you are hired, retained as part of your personnel file for the duration of your employment and for as long afterward as required by law. See Section 14 for more detail on applicants.
• Audio, visual, and other creative content you submit to AI-powered features (such as Fender Studio Pro): kept as long as needed to provide the feature and while your account is active, then deleted or anonymized.
• Inferences: kept while associated with your account and the information from which they are derived, and deleted or anonymized when that information is.
• Consent and communication-preference records (including opt-in and opt-out records and our do-not-text list): kept as long as necessary to honor your choices and to demonstrate our compliance with applicable law.

6. TARGETED ADVERTISING AND ANALYTICS

We engage others to provide analytics services, serve advertisements, and perform related services across the web and in mobile apps. These entities may use cookies, web beacons, SDKs, device identifiers and other technologies to collect information about your use of the Services and other websites and applications, including your IP address and other identifiers, web browser and mobile network information, pages viewed, time spent on pages or in apps, links clicked, and conversion information. This information is used to deliver advertising targeted to your interests on other companies’ sites or mobile apps and to analyze and track data including to understand how our ads perform and determine the popularity of certain content, and better understand your online activity. You can turn off cookies used for ad targeting purposes by clicking the “Privacy Portal link found in the footer of our website, navigating to Privacy Settings, and following the instructions in the pop-up window. Your opt-out choice will be linked to your browser only; therefore, you will need to renew your opt-out choice if you visit our website from a new device or browser, or if you clear your browser’s cookies.
In addition, some of our advertising partners enable us to translate your email address or phone number into an identifier that can’t be used to identify you personally. Our advertising partners then use that unique identifier to show ads that are more relevant to you across the web and in mobile apps.

Some of the activities described in this section may constitute “targeted advertising,” “sharing,” or “selling” under certain state privacy laws. See "Notice to Individuals Residing in Certain U.S. States" for more information for residents of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
You can also learn more about interest-based ads and opt out of having your web browsing information used for behavioral advertising purposes by companies that participate in the Digital Advertising Alliance, by visiting www.aboutads.info/choices, or, if you reside in the European Union, by visiting www.youronlinechoices.eu.

7. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

Updating Your Fender Connect Account Information
You can review and modify your Fender Connect Account information at any time. To access your online account, simply click "Log In" at the top of most Fender Properties and sign in when prompted. You can also update your account information by calling customer service at (800) 856-9801.

Cookies/Tracking
You can accept or reject cookies for websites associated with Fender Properties through your Privacy Settings (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website). You can also do so by adjusting your web browser controls.
You can accept or reject tracking for apps associated with Fender Properties by going to the appropriate section of your device’s settings. To turn off tracking on iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking, then find the appropriate Fender Property and toggle tracking off. To turn off tracking on Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking, then toggle tracking off.

Marketing Communications
You can opt out of receiving email promotional or marketing communications from Fender at any time by using the unsubscribe link in the email communications we send. If you opt out, we may still send you non-promotional emails, such as those about your account, gift card balance, transactions, servicing, or our ongoing business relations.

8. HOW CAN YOU EXERCISE YOUR DATA SUBJECT RIGHTS?

Accessing Your Data
We take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is accurate, complete, and up to date. You may access your personal information that we hold and disclose about you by contacting us directly using the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website). For your protection, we may need to verify your identity before implementing your request. We will try to implement your request as soon as reasonably practicable.

Correcting Your Data
If you have a Fender Connect Account, we rely on you to update and correct your personal information. Most Fender Properties allow you to modify and/or delete your account profile. If a Fender Property does not allow you to update or correct certain information, please contact us using the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website). Please note that we may keep historical information in our backup files as permitted by law.

Restriction of Processing Your Data
At any point, you may request that we restrict processing of your personal information where one of the following applies:
• If you contest the accuracy of the personal information, for a period enabling Fender to verify the accuracy of the personal information;
• If the processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the personal information and request the restriction of their use instead; or
• If Fender no longer needs the personal information for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by you for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
You may also request to opt out of the use of your personal information for targeted advertising, or the sale or sharing of your personal information. You may make this request by clicking Privacy Portal link found in the footer of our website, navigating to Privacy Settings, and following the instructions in the pop-up window.

Deleting Your Data
You may request the deletion of your personal information from Fender’s systems. Please use the Privacy Center to make this request (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website).
For individuals located in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom during data collection, please see Section 11 below for more information about your rights.
For residents of certain U.S. States during data collection, please see Section 12 below for more information about your rights.

9. CHILDREN’S INFORMATION

Fender does not knowingly collect any personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that an individual under the age of 16 has submitted personal information without consent from their parent or legal guardian or as permitted under applicable law, we will delete the information as soon as possible from our database. If you believe we have personal information from an individual under 16, please notify us immediately using the contact information in Section 13 so that we can take appropriate action.

10. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

We may store, process, and transmit personal information in the United States and other locations around the world, including locations outside of the country or jurisdiction where you are located. Such countries or jurisdictions may have data protection laws that are less protective than the laws of the jurisdiction in which you reside. When we transfer your data, we do so using appropriate transfer measures as required under applicable law. If you do not want your information transferred to or processed or maintained outside of the country or jurisdiction where you are located, you should not use Fender Properties. For transfers of personal information from the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom to the United States in connection with AI-powered features in Fender Studio Pro, we rely on the EU Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (2021/914) and, for transfers from the United Kingdom, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, supplemented by appropriate technical and organisational measures.

11. NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, SWITZERLAND, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

This section only applies to individuals using or accessing the Fender Properties while located in the European Economic Area (“EEA”), Switzerland, and/or the United Kingdom (collectively, the “Designated Countries”) at the time of data collection.

For the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”), the data controller for the personal information you provide or that Fender collects in connection with Fender Properties, please see the contact information in Section 13.

EU Representative under Article 27 GDPR: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is established outside the European Economic Area. Pursuant to Article 27 of the GDPR, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has designated Fender (EDC) B.V. (Exportweg 5, 4782 JA Moerdijk, Netherlands; [email protected]) as its representative in the European Union for data protection matters.

UK Representative under UK GDPR Article 27: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has designated Fender Musical Instruments Europe Ltd. (Leo House, Imberhorne Ln, East Grinstead RH19 1QZ, UK; [email protected]) as its representative in the United Kingdom for data protection matters under UK GDPR Article 27.

Legal Basis for Processing
When you visit, shop, register, or use any Fender Property, your personal information is primarily used to provide you with the Fender Property products and services you request. It may also be used to comply with legal obligations Fender is subject to or to fulfill our legitimate interests, such as to personalize your experience, develop and improve our Fender Properties, or to detect illegal activities. With your prior consent, it may also be used to send you offers and promotions.

Artificial Intelligence
Where Fender Studio Pro features rely on artificial intelligence systems, we provide notice within the product so you can recognise when you are interacting with AI. Outputs of generative AI features (including voice conversion features) may be marked in a machine-readable format to indicate they are AI-generated, consistent with applicable AI transparency laws (including Article 50 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, the EU AI Act).

Data Subject Requests
Fender takes reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is accurate, complete, and up to date. You have the right to access, correct, or delete the personal information that we collect. You are also entitled to restrict or object, at any time, to the further processing of your personal information. You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured and standard format, and where technically and legally feasible, the right to have your personal information transmitted directly to a third party. If you would like to exercise your rights under applicable law, or if you believe we have infringed or violated your privacy rights, please contact us using the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website). If you believe we have handled your personal information in a way that does not comply with applicable data protection law, you can complain to us directly by emailing [email protected], and we will acknowledge and look into your complaint. Complaining to us does not affect your right to complain to a data protection authority. If you are in the EEA or Switzerland, you may lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority in the country of your habitual residence, place of work, or the place of the alleged infringement. If you are in the United Kingdom, you may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

If Fender shares your personal information with entities located in the United States or other non-EEA jurisdictions which, according to the European Commission, do not offer an adequate level of protection to personal information, we implement specific contracts, such as the Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, or other appropriate solutions to address cross-border transfers as required or permitted by Articles 46 and 49 of the GDPR. Where required by such laws, you may request a copy of the suitable mechanisms we have in place by contacting us via the contact information in Section 13.

12. NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN CERTAIN U.S. STATES

This section applies only to residents of the states listed below and serves as our California notice at collection. Such states either have enacted or will soon be enacting consumer privacy laws that grant their residents certain rights and require additional disclosures (“State Laws”).

Additional Disclosures
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and disclose personal information about you, as well as our targeted advertising and analytics practices. As required by certain State Laws, we set out this same information below. For additional information about our collection and use of personal information from job applicants, see Section 14.

Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Information for Business Purpose

Sales, Sharing, and Targeted Advertising Activities

We also disclose certain categories of personal information to show you targeted ads on third-party properties and to expand the reach and effectiveness of our own marketing campaigns, and we allow affiliates to use this information for their own marketing purposes. These disclosures may be considered “sales,” “sharing,” or use of personal information for “targeted advertising” under State Laws, and the table below provides more information about our practices.

Categories of Personal Information

• Identifiers such as a hashed version of your email address or cookie IDs
• Commercial information such as records of products or services purchased, obtained, or considered by you
• Internet or other electronic information regarding your browsing history and about your activity on our website
• Inferences about your preferences, characteristics, behavior, and attitudes

Categories of Third Parties

• Advertising and marketing networks, other brands in our corporate family.
• AI platform operators (such as Google and Microsoft), which receive customer personal information as independent businesses in connection with purchases made through AI Sales Channels. Because these AI platform operators are independent businesses and not our service providers, these disclosures may be considered “sharing” of personal information under State Laws.

Other Details About Our Information Practices

We collect personal information from various sources, including directly from you (for example, when you place an order from our website) and automatically when you access or use our services, each described in more detail in Section 2 above.

We do not engage in sales, sharing, or targeted advertising using personal information about consumers we know to be under the age of 16, or higher age where required by law.
We collect information that may be considered “sensitive” under State Laws; however, we do not use or disclose such sensitive personal information for the purpose of inferring characteristics about you.
We retain personal information as described in Section 5 above.

When you make a purchase through an AI Sales Channel, the transaction may occur entirely within the AI platform’s interface, outside of a Fender Property. In such cases, certain features available on our website, such as cookie preference controls and marketing opt-in options, may not be available during checkout. If you have opted out of the sale or sharing of your personal information (including through a Global Privacy Control signal), we will honor that preference for any personal information we receive from an AI Sales Channel.

Privacy Rights Under State Laws

To assert your right to know, to access, to correct, or to delete your personal information, to request a portable copy of your personal information, or to request a list of third parties to whom we disclosed your personal information or any personal information, please use the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website). To confirm your identity, we may ask you to verify personal information we already have on file for you. If we cannot verify your identity based on the information we have on file, we may request additional information from you, which we will only use to verify your identity, and for security or fraud-prevention purposes.
You may opt out of activities that we engage in that constitute “targeted advertising,” “sharing,” or “sales” of personal information under the State Laws by:
• Following the prompts to the Privacy Center accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of our website. Your opt-out choice will be linked to your browser only; therefore, you will need to renew your opt-out choice if you visit our website from a new device or browser, or if you clear your browser’s cookies.
• Submitting a request through the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link) to turn off “targeted advertising,” “sharing,” and “sales” based on your email address and other non-cookie identifiers.

Global Privacy Control

You can also opt out of certain targeted advertising, sharing, and sales by visiting the Fender Properties with a recognized universal choice signal enabled (such as the Global Privacy Control). Please note that, depending on which opt-out preference signal you use and whether you are logged into your account with us, our processing of the signal may be limited to the specific browser or device that you are using. You may need to renew your opt-out if you use a different browser or device to access the Fender Properties.

Authorized Agents

If you are an authorized agent seeking to make a request to opt out of sales, sharing, or targeted advertising on behalf of a consumer, please submit a request through the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website).
If you reside in California, you may designate an authorized agent to make a privacy request on your behalf. Fender may require proof of their authority to make a request, such as a letter signed by the customer authorizing the agent to submit the request or a valid power of attorney. In some cases, we may contact the individual who is the subject of the request to verify their own identity or confirm the authorized agent has permission to submit the request. If you are an authorized agent seeking to make an access, correction, or deletion request on behalf of a California resident, please email one of these documents to the email shown in Section 13 below and include a phone number where you may be reached during regular business hours.

Appeals

If we deny your request, you may have the right to appeal our decision by contacting us at the email shown in Section 13 below. If we deny your appeal, we will provide you with a written explanation of our decision and, where required by applicable law, direct you to the relevant complaint mechanism maintained by the attorney general in the state where you reside.

Nondiscrimination

You have the right to not be discriminated against for exercising any of your privacy rights.

Notice of Financial Incentives

We offer various discounts, offers, and other benefits to customers, which may constitute “financial incentives” under State Laws. For example, we may provide discounts or other benefits to customers who sign up to receive our marketing emails. If you decide to participate in a financial incentive, we collect relevant personal information from you, such as identifiers (like your email address or phone number), commercial information (like your purchase preferences and interests or purchase history), and other categories of personal information that relate to or are reasonably capable of being associated with you. We use and disclose this information as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy. You can opt in to a financial incentive by following the sign-up or participation instructions provided. If you later decide to opt out, you may do so at any time, such as by following the unsubscribe instructions in the promotional emails. If you request that we delete any of your personal information that is essential to providing you with the financial incentive, we will not be able to provide you with the benefits of that program (e.g., if you ask us to delete your email address, we will no longer be able to provide you with exclusive offers or other benefits via email). In some cases, we may provide additional terms and conditions when you sign up to participate in a financial incentive. The value of your personal information is reasonably related to the value of the offer or discount presented to you

13. CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
Attn: General Counsel
4625 E. Paradise Village Parkway N
Phoenix, AZ 85032, USA
Email: [email protected]
Effective Date: June 1, 2025

14. NOTICE TO JOB APPLICANTS

This section applies to individuals who apply for employment with Fender, whether through our careers page, a third-party job platform (such as LinkedIn or Indeed), a recruiting agency, or any other channel ("Applicants"). This section supplements the rest of this Privacy Policy. Where a provision in this section conflicts with a general provision elsewhere in this Privacy Policy, this section controls with respect to Applicant personal information.

What Information Do We Collect from Applicants?

During the recruitment process, we may collect the following categories of personal information about you:

• Contact information, including name, email address, telephone number, and mailing address.
• Application materials, including resume/CV, cover letter, work samples, and portfolio links.
• Professional and educational background, including employment history, job titles, dates of employment, educational institutions, degrees, certifications, and professional memberships.
• Interview information, including notes and evaluations from interviews, assessments, and skills tests.
• References, including names and contact information of references you provide, and information obtained from those references.
• Background check information, including criminal history, employment verification, and education verification, where permitted by applicable law and with your consent where required.
• Work authorization information, including immigration status and work permit or visa information, where required to assess eligibility for the position.
• Compensation expectations that you voluntarily provide. We do not ask for salary history in jurisdictions where such inquiries are prohibited by law.
• Diversity and equal opportunity data, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and veteran status, where voluntarily provided for equal employment opportunity monitoring. Providing this data is entirely voluntary and does not affect your application.
• Device and usage information, if you apply through our careers page. See Section 2 of this Privacy Policy for details on the information we automatically collect when you use Fender Properties.

We generally do not request sensitive personal information (such as health information, religious beliefs, or political opinions) during recruitment. If such information is needed for a specific role, we will inform you at the time.

How Do We Collect Applicant Information?

We collect Applicant personal information from the following sources:

• Directly from you, when you submit an application or communicate with us during recruitment.
• From third-party job platforms where you have posted your profile or applied for a position.
• From recruiting agencies or staffing firms engaged by Fender.
• From your references, when you provide their contact information and authorize us to contact them.
• From background check providers, where permitted by law and with your consent where required.
• From publicly available professional sources (such as your public LinkedIn profile), where relevant to your application.

How Do We Use Applicant Information?

We use Applicant personal information for the following purposes:

• Evaluating your application: reviewing your qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role you applied for or for other open positions.
• Communicating with you: contacting you about your application, scheduling interviews, and providing status updates.
• Conducting interviews and assessments: administering skills tests, technical assessments, or other evaluations relevant to the role.
• Background checks: verifying information you have provided and conducting criminal background checks, where permitted by law.
• Verifying work authorization: confirming your eligibility to work in the applicable jurisdiction.
• Equal opportunity monitoring: monitoring workforce diversity and complying with equal employment opportunity laws, where applicable. This is entirely voluntary.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: complying with applicable employment, tax, immigration, and other laws; responding to legal process or government inquiries.
• Defending legal claims: establishing, exercising, or defending against legal claims arising from the recruitment process.
• Future opportunities: if you are not selected for the current role, retaining your information to consider you for future openings, with your consent where required by law.

Recruiting Text Messages

If you apply for a role with us in the United States, you can choose to receive recruiting-related text messages (SMS) from us, for example about your application status, interview scheduling, and recruiting questions. Opting in to text messages is a separate, optional choice and is not a condition of applying for or being considered for any position. This program is available to applicants in the United States only and is intended for individuals who are at least 18 years old.

Through this program we collect your mobile phone number, the content of the text messages you exchange with us, your opt-in and opt-out records, and message delivery and engagement information. We use this information only to send and manage the recruiting text messages you have asked to receive and to operate and administer the program. Our recruiting text messaging is supported by our applicant tracking system provider (Greenhouse), our texting provider (Grayscale), and their telecommunications carrier (Twilio), each acting as our service provider in the United States. We do not sell or share the personal information collected through this program for cross-context behavioral advertising.

You can opt out of recruiting text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message, and you can reply HELP for help. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. We keep your opt-out information for as long as necessary to honor your request not to receive further texts. The full terms of the program are set out in the SMS messaging terms in our Terms of Use, and our handling of your information is described in this Privacy Policy. For help with the program you can contact us at [email protected]. Our recruiting text messages are sent from a U.S. phone number we assign to you, typically a local number matched to your area code, and that number stays the same throughout your conversation with us.

Who Do We Share Applicant Information With?

We may share Applicant personal information with the categories of recipients described in Section 4 of this Privacy Policy, including service providers, affiliates, and professional advisors. In addition, we may share Applicant personal information with:

• Applicant tracking system (ATS) and HR technology providers that host and process application data on our behalf under written agreements.
• Recruiting agencies or staffing firms involved in the recruitment for the position.
• Background check providers, where applicable and with your consent where required.

We do not sell or "share" (as those terms are defined under applicable state privacy laws) Applicant personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

How Long Do We Keep Applicant Information?

If you are hired, your application data will be incorporated into your employee personnel file and retained in accordance with our internal records retention policies.

If you are not hired, we retain your application data as follows:

• United States: retained for as long as needed to consider you for the role and other opportunities and to meet our legal and recordkeeping obligations, after which it is deleted or anonymized.
• European Economic Area, Switzerland, and United Kingdom: retained only for a short period after the recruitment process concludes, consistent with data-minimisation requirements, unless you consent to longer retention for consideration for future opportunities or a longer period is required by local law.
• Other jurisdictions: as required by applicable local law.

If you consent to being considered for future opportunities, we will retain your data for a limited period after your most recent application, after which we will either contact you to renew your consent or delete your data.

After the applicable retention period, your data will be securely deleted or anonymized.

Automated Decision-Making

We do not use solely automated decision-making (including profiling) that produces legal effects or similarly significant effects on Applicants in our recruitment process. All hiring decisions involve meaningful human review.

Additional Information for Applicants in the EEA, Switzerland, and the UK

If you are located in the EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, the legal bases for our processing of your personal information are:

• Pre-contractual steps: processing necessary to take steps at your request prior to entering into an employment contract (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b)).
• Legitimate interest: processing necessary for our legitimate interests in evaluating candidates and defending legal claims, where those interests are not overridden by your rights (GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)).
• Legal obligation: processing necessary to comply with applicable laws (GDPR Art. 6(1)(c)).
• Consent: where we process sensitive data (such as diversity information) or retain your data for future opportunities beyond the standard retention period (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) / Art. 9(2)(a)).

Your rights as described in Section 11 of this Privacy Policy apply to your Applicant personal information. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

Additional Information for Applicants in California and Other U.S. States

This section serves as a notice at collection for Applicants who are California residents, as required by the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (Cal. Civ. Code Section 1798.100(a)), and as a supplemental notice for Applicants who are residents of other states with applicable privacy laws.

The categories of personal information we collect from Applicants, the purposes for which we use that information, and the retention periods are described above in this Section 14. We do not sell or share Applicant personal information. We do not use sensitive personal information collected from Applicants for purposes that would trigger the right to limit under CCPA/CPRA.

Your rights as described in Section 12 of this Privacy Policy apply to your Applicant personal information, including the right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of sales, sharing, and targeted advertising. To exercise your rights, please use the Privacy Center (accessible through the Privacy Portal link in the footer of the website).