Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

GreenBounty ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our recycling marketplace platform.

By using GreenBounty, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

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

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, username, and password
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, user type (recycler or hunter)
• Location Information: Address for pickups, GPS coordinates when using location features
• Payment Information: Payment method details, transaction history (processed through secure third-party payment processors)
• Verification Information: ID documents if required for account verification

2.2 Transaction Information

• Material listings (type, weight, photos, descriptions)
• Pickup schedules and confirmations
• Unlock requests and location access
• Ratings and reviews submitted by users
• Reports and safety flags

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on platform, clicks and interactions
• Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies (see Section 8)
• Log Data: Server logs, error reports, performance data

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• Create and manage your account
• Facilitate connections between recyclers and hunters
• Process unlock fees and payments
• Display location information to authorized hunters
• Send notifications about pickups, ratings, and platform updates

3.2 Safety and Security

• Verify user identities and prevent fraud
• Investigate reports and safety concerns
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Detect and prevent abuse, spam, or illegal activities
• Maintain platform security and integrity

3.3 Improvement and Analytics

• Analyze usage patterns and trends
• Improve platform features and user experience
• Develop new services and features
• Conduct research and statistical analysis

3.4 Communication

• Send service-related emails and notifications
• Respond to customer support inquiries
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)
• Conduct surveys and gather feedback

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 With Other Users

When a hunter unlocks a pickup, we share the recycler's location and contact information with that hunter. Similarly, your profile information and ratings are visible to other users to facilitate trust and safety.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
• Cloud hosting providers
• Email and SMS service providers
• Analytics services
• Customer support tools

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Legal processes (subpoenas, court orders, legal proceedings)
• Government or regulatory requests
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Investigation of fraud, security issues, or illegal activities
• Emergency situations involving danger to persons or property

4.4 Business Transfers

If GreenBounty is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

5. Data Retention

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

• Provide our services and maintain your account
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Maintain business records and analytics

After account closure, we may retain certain information for legal compliance, fraud prevention, and legitimate business purposes. Anonymous or aggregated data may be retained indefinitely.

6. Your Privacy Rights

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

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@greenbounty.com. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response and breach notification procedures

Important: However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

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

9. Children's Privacy

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using GreenBounty, you consent to such transfers. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

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 material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our platform
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Displaying a prominent notice on the platform

Your continued use of GreenBounty after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

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