Effective Date: 01/04/2025
VBid (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our users (“you”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information when you use our online marketplace platform (the “Platform”). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect several types of information from and about users of our Platform, including:
- Information you provide directly to us:
- Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, password, and other information you may provide, such as your address, phone number, and profile details.
- Transaction Information: When you buy or sell items on VBid, we collect information about the transaction, including the items purchased, sale price, payment information (handled by our payment processor), and shipping details.
- Communications: We collect information contained in your communications with other users and with us, including messages, inquiries, and feedback.
- Seller Information: If you are a seller, we may collect additional information such as your business name, tax identification number, and bank account details.
- Information we collect automatically:
- Usage Information: We collect information about how you use the Platform, including the pages you visit, the items you view, your search queries, and other actions you take.
- Device Information: We collect information about the device you use to access the Platform, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Location Information: With your consent, we may collect information about your location.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activity and preferences.
- Information from third-party sources:
- Social Media: If you connect your VBid account with a social media account, we may receive information from that account, such as your profile information and friends list.
- Service Providers: We may receive information from third-party service providers, such as payment processors, shipping providers, and analytics providers.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for various purposes, including to:
- Provide and improve the Platform:
- Operate and maintain the Platform.
- Personalise your experience.
- Improve our services, features, and functionality.
- Develop new products and services.
- Facilitate transactions:
- Enable buying and selling of items.
- Process payments and shipping.
- Communicate with you about transactions.
- Communicate with you:
- Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.
- Send you important notices, such as policy changes and updates.
- Send you promotional and marketing communications, where permitted by law.
- Ensure safety and security:
- Verify your identity.
- Prevent fraud and other illegal activities.
- Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies.
- Protect the rights and safety of our users and us.
- Comply with legal obligations:
- Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
3. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information with third parties in the following circumstances:
- With other users:
- Buyers and sellers: We share information between buyers and sellers to facilitate transactions, such as contact information and shipping details.
- Publicly visible information: Some information, such as your profile information and item listings, may be visible to other users of the Platform.
- With service providers:
- We share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, shipping, data analysis, email delivery, and marketing.
- With legal authorities:
- We may disclose your information to law enforcement agencies, government officials, or other third parties if required by law or to protect our legal rights.
- In connection with a business transaction:
- We may share your information in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets.
- With your consent:
- We may share your information with third parties with your consent.
4. Your Choices
You have several choices regarding your information:
- Access and update your information: You can access and update your account information at any time by logging into your account.
- Opt out of marketing communications: You can opt out of receiving promotional emails from us by following the unsubscribe instructions in the email.
- Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of the Platform.
- Location information: You can control the collection of your location information through your device settings.
- Account deletion: You can delete your account anytime by contacting us. We may retain some of your information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
5. Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:
- Encryption: We use encryption to protect your sensitive information during transmission.
- Access controls: We restrict access to your information to authorised personnel only.
- Security monitoring: We monitor our systems for potential security breaches.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide you with the services you requested or for other legitimate business purposes, such as complying with our legal obligations, resolving disputes, and enforcing our policies.
7. Children’s Privacy
The Platform is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete that information.
8. Links to Third-Party Websites
The Platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those websites before providing them with your personal information.
9. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers outside your country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
10. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on the Platform and updating the effective date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at using our Contact Form