Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to InheriTrades. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform—a subscription-based online marketplace designed to give inherited items a meaningful second life.

By using InheriTrades, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account and use InheriTrades, we collect information you provide directly to us:

• Account Information: Name, email address, username/handle, password, and profile information
• Booth Content: Item descriptions, photos, historical information, and narratives you create
• Profile Details: Display name, bio, location information (city, state, ZIP code for local trades)
• Communication: Messages sent through our platform, support inquiries, and feedback
• Transaction Details: Information about items you list, offers you make, and exchanges you complete
• Payment Information: Processed securely through our payment processor (Stripe)—we do not store full payment card details

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access InheriTrades, we automatically collect certain information:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on the platform, and interaction patterns
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Log Data: Access times, error logs, and referral URLs
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: See Section 7 below

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Authentication Providers: If you sign in using a third-party service (e.g., Google, Facebook)
• Payment Processors: Transaction confirmation and subscription status from Stripe

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

3.1 Provide and Improve Our Services

• Create and manage your account and booth
• Process subscriptions and additional trade purchases
• Facilitate exchanges between users (swaps, sales, donations)
• Enable communication between users regarding items and transactions
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Monitor and improve platform functionality and user experience

3.2 Safety and Security

• Verify user identities and prevent fraud
• Detect and prevent abuse, spam, and illegal activities
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights and safety of our users and the platform

3.3 Communication

• Send transaction confirmations and platform notifications
• Provide updates about your account and subscription
• Send newsletters and promotional content (with your consent)
• Respond to your questions and requests

3.4 Analytics and Development

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
• Develop new features and functionality
• Conduct research on user behavior and preferences
• Generate aggregate statistics about platform usage

4. How We Share Your Information

We value your privacy and share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Other Users

Your booth content, including item listings, photos, and descriptions, is visible to other InheriTrades members. Your profile information (display name, bio, location if you enable local trades) is also visible to facilitate meaningful exchanges. Messages sent through our platform are shared with intended recipients.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Payment processing (Stripe)
• Cloud hosting and data storage
• Email delivery and communications
• Analytics and platform monitoring
• Customer support tools

These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and may only use your information as necessary to provide services to us.

4.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information when required by law or when we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of InheriTrades, our users, or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
• Enforce our Terms of Service

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or platform notice before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specifically:

• Account information is retained while your account is active
• Transaction history is maintained for record-keeping and dispute resolution
• Communication logs are kept for customer support and legal compliance
• Deleted content may be retained in backups for a limited period

When you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information, except where retention is required for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.

6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Update

You can access and update most of your personal information through your account settings. This includes your profile information, booth content, and communication preferences.

6.2 Delete Your Account

You may delete your account at any time through account settings or by contacting us. Account deletion removes your profile and booth content from public view, though some information may be retained as described in Section 5.

6.3 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of promotional emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email or by adjusting your notification preferences in account settings. Note that you cannot opt out of essential service-related communications.

6.4 Cookie Preferences

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

6.5 Rights Under Privacy Laws

Depending on your location, you may have additional rights, including:

• Right to access the personal information we hold about you
• Right to request correction of inaccurate information
• Right to request deletion of your information
• Right to object to or restrict certain processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us through our Contact page. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance your experience, understand usage patterns, and improve our services. These technologies help us:

• Keep you logged in to your account
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze how users interact with our platform
• Deliver relevant content and features
• Prevent fraud and enhance security

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings, though this may limit certain platform features.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments and monitoring
• Employee training on data protection practices
• Vendor security requirements for service providers

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

9. Children's Privacy

InheriTrades is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately through our Contact page.

10. International Data Transfers

InheriTrades is based in the United States. If you access our platform from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country of residence.

By using InheriTrades, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries as necessary to provide our services.

11. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification to the address associated with your account
• Displaying a prominent notice on our platform

Your continued use of InheriTrades after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including:

• Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to request deletion of your personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell your information)
• Right to correct inaccurate personal information
• Right to limit use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us through our Contact page. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

14. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds: contract performance, legitimate interests, legal obligations, and consent where required. To exercise your rights, please contact us through our Contact page.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Through our Contact page
• By email: privacy@inheritrades.com

We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days.