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Privacy Policy

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Welcome to TrustProven! This Privacy Policy explains how TrustProven ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you use our website, [Your Website URL] (the "Service").

Our platform is built on trust, and that starts with being transparent about how we handle your personal data. By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, information we collect automatically when you use our Service, and information from third parties.

1.1. Information You Provide to Us

  • Account Information: When you create a TrustProven account, we collect your username, email address, and password. You may also voluntarily add a profile picture, your name, and location to your public profile.
  • Public Reviews and Ratings: When you post a review, we collect the information you include in that review, such as the company being reviewed, the rating you provide, the title and text of your review, and any images or other content you upload. Please remember, your reviews are public.
  • Communications: If you contact us for customer support or other inquiries, we will collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.

1.2. Information We Collect Automatically

  • Log and Usage Data: We automatically log information when you access and use the Service. This includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, device information, the pages you viewed, the time spent on those pages, and the dates and times of your access.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to operate and personalize the Service. Cookies are small data files stored on your hard drive or in device memory. We use them to see which areas and features of our Service are popular and to count visits. You can usually set your browser to remove or reject browser cookies. For more details, please see our Cookie Policy section below.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To Provide and Maintain the Service: To create your account, publish your reviews, and allow you to interact with the platform.
  • To Improve and Personalize the Service: To understand how our users engage with TrustProven and to develop new features and improve user experience.
  • To Ensure Trust and Safety: To verify reviews, prevent spam and fraud, enforce our Terms of Service, and protect the security and integrity of our platform.
  • To Communicate with You: To send you important service-related announcements, security alerts, and support messages. With your consent, we may also send you marketing communications about products and services.
  • For Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, and legal processes, such as responding to subpoenas or requests from government authorities.

3. How We Share Your Information

Your trust is paramount, so we are careful about how we share your information.

  • Publicly on TrustProven: Your username, profile picture (if provided), and all the content of your reviews are made public on the Service for others to see.
  • With Reviewed Businesses: We share your public review with the business you reviewed so they can see your feedback and, if they choose, engage with you through our platform.
  • With Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party vendors and service providers who need access to your information to carry out work on our behalf (e.g., website hosting, data analytics, email delivery, and fraud detection). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
  • For Legal Reasons and Business Transfers: We may disclose your information in response to a legal obligation, to protect our rights, or in connection with a merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company.

We do not sell your personal information to data brokers.

4. Your Rights and Choices Over Your Information

You have rights and control over your personal information.

  • Account Information: You can access, review, and update your account information at any time by logging into your account settings.
  • Reviews: You can edit or delete your reviews through your user dashboard. Please note that when you delete a review, it will be removed from public view on our platform.
  • Account Deletion: You can request to delete your account by contacting us at [Your Support Email Address]. Deleting your account will remove your profile and all of your published reviews.
  • Communications: You can opt-out of receiving promotional emails from us by following the unsubscribe instructions included in those emails.

5. Data Security

We implement technical and organizational measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. However, no internet-based service is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as you have an account with us or as long as is necessary to provide the Service. We may also retain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes, such as resolving disputes, preventing fraud, and enforcing our agreements. Your public reviews will remain on the Service unless you choose to delete them or your account.

7. Specific Rights for EEA/UK and California Residents

7.1. For Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK (under GDPR):

If you are a resident of the EEA or the UK, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you.
  • Request that we correct any inaccurate personal data.
  • Request that we erase your personal data.
  • Object to our processing of your personal data.
  • Request that we restrict the processing of your personal data.
  • Receive your personal data in a portable format.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [Your Privacy Support Email Address].

7.2. For Residents of California (under CCPA):

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

  • Know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose.
  • Request the deletion of your personal information.
  • Opt-out of the "sale" of your personal information (note: as stated above, we do not sell personal information).
  • Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [Your Privacy Support Email Address].

8. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete such information.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email or by posting a prominent notice on our Service prior to the change becoming effective. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: [email protected]