Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Name and contact information (email, phone number)
• Profile information (bio, skills, education, portfolio)
• Professional details (work history, certifications)
• Payment information (billing address, payment methods)
• Identity verification documents (when required)
• Communication preferences

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you use our platform:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, clickstream data)
• Log files and cookies
• Location data (general geographic area)
• Performance and analytics data

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Social media platforms (when you connect your accounts)
• Payment processors
• Background check providers (when applicable)
• Marketing partners

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

2.1 Service Provision

• Creating and managing your account
• Facilitating connections between clients and freelancers
• Processing payments and transactions
• Providing customer support
• Enabling communication between users

2.2 Platform Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to improve our services
• Developing new features and functionality
• Personalizing your experience
• Conducting research and analytics

2.3 Safety and Security

• Preventing fraud and abuse
• Verifying user identities
• Enforcing our Terms of Service
• Protecting against security threats

2.4 Marketing and Communication

• Sending service-related notifications
• Providing promotional materials (with your consent)
• Responding to your inquiries
• Sending platform updates and announcements

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 With Other Users

• Profile information visible to potential clients/freelancers
• Work samples and portfolio items
• Reviews and ratings
• Public messages and forum posts

3.2 With Service Providers

• Payment processors for transaction handling
• Cloud storage providers for data hosting
• Analytics providers for platform insights
• Customer support tools
• Email service providers

3.3 Legal Requirements

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

• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect our rights and property
• Prevent fraud or criminal activity
• Ensure user safety
• Respond to government requests

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

4. Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

4.1 Technical Safeguards

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure servers and databases
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Firewall protection

4.2 Organizational Measures

• Employee training on data protection
• Limited access to personal information
• Background checks for staff with data access
• Incident response procedures

4.3 Important Notice

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

5. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

5.1 Access and Portability

• Request a copy of your personal data
• Download your information in a portable format
• Verify the accuracy of your data

5.2 Correction and Updates

• Update your profile information
• Correct inaccurate data
• Complete incomplete information

5.3 Deletion

• Request deletion of your account
• Remove specific pieces of information
• Withdraw consent for data processing

5.4 Communication Preferences

• Opt out of marketing communications
• Control notification settings
• Manage email preferences

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

6.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand usage patterns
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Marketing Cookies: Deliver relevant advertisements

6.2 Cookie Control

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:

• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Standard contractual clauses
• Certification schemes
• Binding corporate rules

8. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Enforce our agreements
• Protect against fraud

After account deletion, we may retain certain information in anonymized form for analytics and legal compliance purposes.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child, we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via:

• Email notification to your registered address
• Prominent notice on our platform
• In-app notifications

Your continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer: