Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At Give&Bid ("we," "our," or "us"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, mobile application, and services.

By using our services, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the practices described in this policy, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account or register as a professional
• Complete your profile information
• Contact customer support
• Communicate with other users
• Leave reviews or ratings
• Subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our services, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns:

• IP address and approximate location
• Browser type and version
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our platform
• Referral sources and click-through rates
• Search queries and filters used

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, including:

• Social media platforms when you connect your accounts
• Background check providers for professional verification
• Analytics and marketing partners
• Other users who refer you to our platform

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Uses

We use your information to provide and improve our services:

• Create and maintain your account
• Match customers with appropriate professionals
• Facilitate communication between users
• Process payments and transactions
• Verify professional credentials and conduct background checks
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send service notifications and updates

3.2 Marketing and Communications

With your consent, we may use your information to:

• Send promotional emails and newsletters
• Show you personalized advertisements
• Inform you about new features and services
• Conduct surveys and research

3.3 Legal and Safety Purposes

We may use your information when required to:

• Comply with legal obligations and law enforcement requests
• Protect the safety and security of our users
• Prevent fraud and unauthorized access
• Enforce our terms of service

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Other Users

To facilitate connections, we share certain information with other users:

• Professional profiles are visible to potential customers
• Customer names and general location for booking purposes
• Reviews and ratings (without full contact information)
• Messages sent through our platform

4.2 With Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Payment processors for secure transactions
• Cloud hosting and data storage providers
• Email and communication services
• Analytics and marketing platforms
• Background check and verification services

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with court orders or government requests
• Protect our rights and property
• Ensure user safety and prevent harm
• Investigate fraud or security breaches

5. Data Security and Protection

5.1 Technical Safeguards

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Encrypted data storage and regular backups
• Secure authentication and password protection
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and employee training

5.2 Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Improve our services and user experience

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Account Management

You have the right to:

• Access and update your personal information
• Download a copy of your data
• Delete your account and personal information
• Restrict or object to certain data processing
• Correct inaccurate information

6.2 Communication Preferences

You can control how we communicate with you:

• Unsubscribe from marketing emails
• Adjust notification settings
• Opt out of personalized advertising
• Manage cookie preferences

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and provide personalized services.

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality
• Performance Cookies: Help us analyze site usage and performance
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Enable personalized advertising

7.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings or our cookie preference center. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

8. Third-Party Services and Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with external services. These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices.

8.1 Third-Party Integrations

• Social media platforms for account connection
• Payment processors for secure transactions
• Map services for location features
• Analytics tools for service improvement

9. Regional Privacy Rights

9.1 California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information we collect
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt out of the sale of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

9.2 European Users (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict or object to processing
• Right to data portability

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Sending email notifications for significant changes
• Displaying prominent notices on our platform

Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us About Privacy

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us: