Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

DubaiBids ("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 auction platform and services.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, information we get from your use of our services, and information from third-party sources.

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password
• Profile Information: Profile picture, bio, preferences
• Verification Information: Government ID, address verification documents
• Payment Information: Credit card details, bank account information
• Communication Data: Messages, reviews, dispute communications
• Listing Information: Item descriptions, photos, pricing

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent, click patterns
• Location Data: IP address, general location (with permission)
• Cookies and Tracking: Session data, preferences, analytics

2.3 Third-Party Information

• Social media login information (if you choose to connect accounts)
• Identity verification from third-party services
• Payment processor information
• Fraud prevention and security data

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to provide, maintain, and improve our services, as well as to protect our users and comply with legal obligations.

3.1 Service Provision

• Create and manage your account
• Process transactions and payments
• Facilitate communication between users
• Provide customer support
• Send important service notifications

3.2 Safety and Security

• Verify user identity and prevent fraud
• Monitor for suspicious activity
• Enforce our terms of service
• Resolve disputes and investigate issues
• Comply with legal requirements

3.3 Personalization and Improvement

• Customize your user experience
• Show relevant auctions and recommendations
• Analyze usage patterns to improve our platform
• Develop new features and services

3.4 Marketing and Communications

• Send promotional emails (with your consent)
• Notify you about auctions and bids
• Provide platform updates and news
• Conduct surveys and research

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties except as described in this policy.

4.1 With Other Users

• Your public profile information
• Auction and bidding activity
• Seller ratings and reviews
• Communication during transactions

4.2 With Service Providers

• Payment processors for transaction handling
• Identity verification services
• Shipping and logistics providers
• Cloud storage and hosting services
• Analytics and marketing tools

4.3 Legal Compliance

• When required by law or legal process
• To protect our rights and property
• To prevent fraud or illegal activity
• In connection with business transfers

5. Data Security

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

5.1 Security Measures

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure payment processing (PCI DSS compliant)
• Regular security audits and assessments
• Access controls and employee training
• Multi-factor authentication options

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information, which may vary depending on your location.

6.1 Access and Control

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
• Portability: Export your data in a machine-readable format
• Restriction: Limit how we process your information

6.2 Communication Preferences

• Opt out of marketing emails
• Customize notification settings
• Manage cookie preferences
• Control data sharing settings

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, and resolve disputes.

7.1 Retention Periods

• Account Information: Until account deletion + 7 years for legal compliance
• Transaction Data: 7 years for tax and legal requirements
• Communication Records: 3 years for dispute resolution
• Marketing Data: Until you opt out + reasonable processing time

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and provide personalized content.

10.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic functionality
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand usage patterns
• Marketing Cookies: Deliver relevant advertisements

11. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes via email or platform notification.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@dubaibids.com
• Phone: +971 4 123 4567
• Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@dubaibids.com

14. Jurisdictional Considerations

14.1 UAE Data Protection

We comply with the UAE Data Protection Law and implement appropriate measures to protect personal data of UAE residents.

14.2 GDPR (European Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.