Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

• Account Information: When you register, we collect your name, email address, and password.
• Profile Information: You may choose to add a public username or other details to your profile.
• Seller Listing Information: To create a listing, Sellers provide details about their canine, which may include name, breed, location, photos, and sensitive documentation like health records and certifications (e.g., AKC registration).
• Transaction Information: When a Buyer makes a purchase, we collect information needed to process the order, such as a shipping address and payment details, which are handled by our secure payment processor.
• Booking Information: When scheduling natural stud services, we collect requested dates, confirmed dates, and related service details.
• Communications: We collect the content of messages you send and receive through our platform, including interactions with our AI Assistant.

Information We Collect Automatically

• Log and Usage Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically record information when you use the Service, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, device information, and pages viewed.
• Location Data: When you use our advanced search features, with your consent, we may collect approximate location information from your device (e.g., GPS, IP address) to provide location-based search results (e.g., "Studs near me"). You can control location services through your device or browser settings.
• Cookies: We use cookies to operate and customize your experience. You can control these through your browser settings. For more details, please see our separate Cookie Policy.

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, host your listings, process transactions, and allow communication between users.
• To Ensure Safety and Security: To verify accounts and listings, prevent fraud, and enforce our Terms of Use. This includes using automated systems to scan messages for prohibited content like spam or attempts to share personal contact information.
• To Communicate With You: To send you transactional emails about your orders, account activity, and important updates to our Service.
• To Improve Our Service: To understand how our users interact with the platform so we can troubleshoot and make improvements. This includes using anonymized data from AI Assistant interactions to enhance its accuracy and performance.
• To Enhance Search and Browse: To provide location-based search results and improve the relevance of stud listings.
• To Facilitate Booking Services: To manage and confirm appointments for natural stud services between Buyers and Sellers.

3. How We Share Your Information

We only share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Between Users for Transactions & Bookings: When a purchase is made or a natural service booking is confirmed, we facilitate the exchange of necessary information. The Seller receives the Buyer's username and shipping address. The Buyer receives the Seller's username and access to the stud's private documentation needed for the service. For natural services, confirmed booking dates are shared between Buyer and Seller.
• With Third-Party Service Providers: We use trusted partners to help us operate our Service. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and only use it for the services they provide us. See Section 7 for more details.
• For Legal and Safety Reasons: We may disclose information if we believe it's required by law or necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users, our company, or the public.
• Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that deal.

4. Our Handling of Sensitive Canine Data

We recognize that canine documentation is sensitive. Our platform is built with "privacy by design" for this information.

• Private by Default: Information such as AKC registration numbers, DNA profile numbers, and private health documents are required for Seller verification but are not displayed publicly on a stud's listing.
• Conditional Sharing: This sensitive information is only made available to a Buyer after they have successfully paid for a stud service transaction, ensuring only serious, transacting parties receive it.

5. Data Security and Retention

We implement administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your information. While we take reasonable steps to secure your data, no system is impenetrable. We will retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Archived Listings (Soft Delete)

When you delete a stud listing, it is not immediately and permanently removed from our databases. Instead, the listing is marked as "archived." Archived listings are:

• No longer publicly visible on the marketplace or in search results.
• Not used for new transactions.
• Retained for a period to comply with legal obligations, resolve potential disputes, maintain accurate records of past transactions, and for system integrity.
• Can be permanently deleted upon request, subject to legal and operational requirements.

6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

• Access and Update: You can review and update your personal account information at any time through your account settings or dashboard.
• Communication Preferences: You can manage your email notification preferences from your user dashboard.
• Account Deletion: You may request to delete your account by contacting us at the email address provided below. Please note that we may need to retain certain information for record-keeping purposes, to complete transactions, or when required by law.
• Data Access: Depending on your location, you may have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

7. Third-Party Services

We rely on trusted third-party services to run our platform. These include:

• Stripe: For secure payment processing. We do not store your full credit card information on our servers. See Stripe's Privacy Policy.
• SendGrid: For sending transactional emails (like order confirmations).
• Google Cloud Platform: For hosting our application, database, and storing user-uploaded files securely.
• OpenAI: To power our AI Assistant feature. We send anonymized listing data and your questions to OpenAI to generate responses. We do not send your personal account information.

8. International Data Transfers

Our Service is hosted and operated in the United States. If you are using the Service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using our Service, you consent to this transfer.

9. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, please contact us: