Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to LocalFinds. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This policy explains our privacy-first approach, how we collect and use data, and the comprehensive controls we give you over your information.

Our Privacy Promise: We believe in anonymous-by-default data collection, explicit consent for all non-essential tracking, and giving you complete control over your privacy preferences.

2. Our Privacy-First Approach

Anonymous by Default

By default, LocalFinds operates anonymously. We don't track your browsing behavior or link your actions to your identity unless you explicitly consent to personalized features during account creation or in your privacy settings.

Explicit Consent

We only collect personal data and enable tracking features when you give explicit consent during account signup or through your privacy settings. You can change these preferences at any time.

Three Types of Data Collection

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Essential Information (Always Collected)

This information is necessary for the website to function:

• Account Information: Email address, display name, encrypted password
• Profile Information: Age range, location, and other profile details (optional)
• Content You Create: Reviews, submissions, and other user-generated content
• Technical Information: Session tokens, security logs, error reports

3.2 Analytics Information (With Consent)

When you consent to analytics, we collect anonymous usage data:

• Page views and navigation patterns
• Search terms and filter usage (anonymized)
• Time spent on pages
• Device type and browser information (anonymized)
• Geographic region (city-level, anonymized)

This data is never linked to your personal identity and helps us improve the website for everyone.

3.3 Personalization Information (With Consent)

When you consent to personalization, we link your behavior to your account:

• Your search history and viewed listings
• Your preferences (categories, locations, price ranges)
• Your interaction patterns for personalized recommendations
• Your favorites and review history for better suggestions

This data enables features like "Handpicked For You" recommendations and personalized search results.

3.4 Marketing Information (With Consent)

When you consent to marketing communications:

• Email preferences and engagement data
• Newsletter subscription status
• Marketing campaign interactions

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 Essential Uses

• Providing core website functionality
• Managing your account and authentication
• Processing your reviews and submissions
• Providing customer support
• Ensuring security and preventing fraud

4.2 Analytics Uses (With Your Consent)

• Understanding how visitors use our website
• Identifying popular content and features
• Improving website performance and user experience
• Generating anonymous usage statistics

4.3 Personalization Uses (With Your Consent)

• Providing personalized business recommendations
• Customizing search results based on your preferences
• Showing relevant content in "Handpicked For You" sections
• Improving recommendation algorithms

4.4 Marketing Uses (With Your Consent)

• Sending newsletters with local business highlights
• Notifying you about new features and updates
• Sharing special offers from businesses you might like

5. Your Privacy Controls

5.1 During Account Creation

When you create an account, you'll be asked to set your privacy preferences. You can choose to enable or disable analytics, personalization, and marketing features. These choices are entirely optional.

5.2 In Your Account Settings

You can change your privacy preferences at any time by visiting your Profile Settings. Changes take effect immediately and will update how we collect and use your data going forward.

5.3 Your Rights Include

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Consent Withdrawal: Withdraw consent at any time
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties except in these limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share information
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• Service Providers: With trusted partners who help operate our website (under strict privacy agreements)
• Business Transfers: In connection with mergers or acquisitions (with continued privacy protection)

7. Data Security

We protect your information using industry-standard security measures:

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS)
• Secure database storage with encryption
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Anonymous session tokens with automatic rotation

8. Data Retention

8.1 Account Data

We retain your account data while your account is active and for a reasonable period after deletion to comply with legal obligations.

8.2 Anonymous Analytics Data

Anonymous analytics data may be retained indefinitely as it cannot be linked back to you.

8.3 Personalization Data

When you disable personalization or delete your account, we immediately stop linking new data to your identity and delete existing personalization profiles within 30 days.

8.4 Marketing Data

Marketing data is deleted immediately when you unsubscribe or disable marketing consent.

9. Children's Privacy

LocalFinds is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this privacy policy and applicable laws.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of significant changes by email or through a prominent notice on our website. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Privacy Settings: Manage your privacy preferences
• Account Deletion: Delete your account