Privacy Policy — GigsMarket

1. Information We Collect

When you use GigsMarket, we collect information that you provide directly, information collected automatically, and information from third-party sources.

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, username, and password when you register.
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, skills, portfolio items, languages, and education details.
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details processed securely through our PCI-compliant payment partners.
• Communications: Messages sent between buyers and sellers, support tickets, and survey responses.
• Identity Verification: Government-issued ID, passport, or driver's license for verified seller status.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, features used, search queries, and click patterns.
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type, and screen resolution.
• Cookies & Similar Technologies: Session cookies, preference cookies, and analytics cookies to improve your experience.
• Location Data: Approximate location derived from your IP address to show relevant content and comply with local regulations.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To process transactions, deliver orders, facilitate communications between buyers and sellers.
• Account Management: To maintain your account, provide customer support, and send service-related notifications.
• Personalization: To tailor search results, recommendations, and content based on your preferences and activity.
• Trust & Safety: To verify identities, detect fraud, prevent abuse, and enforce our Community Standards.
• Marketing: To send promotional emails about new features, services, and offers (with your consent).
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with our platform and improve our products.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal requests.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

• Between Buyers and Sellers: When you place an order, relevant profile and order details are shared to facilitate the transaction.
• Service Providers: Trusted third parties that help us operate the platform (payment processors, cloud hosting, email delivery, analytics).
• Legal Obligations: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• With Your Consent: In any other scenario where you explicitly agree to the sharing.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our services. Even after account deletion, we may retain certain information as required by law, for fraud prevention, or to resolve disputes. Transaction records are retained for a minimum of 7 years to comply with financial regulations.

5. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements).
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to certain processing activities, including direct marketing.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@gigsmarket.com.

6. Cookies Policy

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to remember your preferences, keep you signed in, understand how you use our platform, and deliver relevant advertising. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

Types of cookies we use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic platform functionality (authentication, security).
• Preference Cookies: Remember your language, region, and display preferences.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand user behavior and improve performance.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including encryption in transit (TLS 1.3), encryption at rest (AES-256), access controls, regular security audits, and employee training. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

8. International Data Transfers

GigsMarket operates globally, and your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including Standard Contractual Clauses, to protect your data during such transfers.

9. Children's Privacy

GigsMarket is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via email or through a prominent notice on our platform. Continued use after changes indicates acceptance.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, contact us:

• Email: privacy@gigsmarket.com
• Mail: GigsMarket Inc., 100 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States