Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

TradeStory collects information to provide, improve, and protect our services. The information we collect includes:

• Account Information: When you sign up, we collect your email address, username, and password.
• Profile Information: You may optionally provide bio, contact information, website, and company details.
• Location Data: We collect approximate location (city/state) and coordinates to enable proximity-based trading features.
• Avatar Data: We store your avatar configuration settings. No photos are stored on our servers.
• Trade Information: Posts, offers, messages, and trade history you create on the platform.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our services, including device information and log data.

How We Use Your Data

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain our bartering platform
• Show you trades near your location
• Enable communication between traders
• Send you notifications about offers, messages, and account activity
• Improve and personalize your experience
• Ensure platform safety and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations

Location Data Usage

Your location data is crucial for TradeStory's proximity-based features:

• We store your city, state, and approximate coordinates (latitude/longitude)
• This enables the "Discover Trades Near Me" feature and distance filtering
• Your exact street address is never stored or shared
• Other users can only see your city and state, not precise coordinates
• You can update your location anytime in your profile settings

Third-Party Services

TradeStory uses the following third-party services:

• OAuth Providers: Google and Facebook for authentication (optional). When you use OAuth, we receive basic profile information according to each provider's privacy policy.
• Supabase: Our database and authentication provider. Data is encrypted and stored securely.
• OpenStreetMap/Nominatim: For reverse geocoding location data.
• Zippopotam.us: For ZIP code to coordinates conversion.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in these circumstances:

• With Other Users: Your username, avatar, location (city/state), and trade activity are visible to other users.
• Service Providers: We share data with vendors who help us operate the platform (hosting, analytics).
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request.
• Safety and Security: To protect users' safety or investigate potential fraud.

Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update incorrect or incomplete information in your profile
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Export: Download your data in a portable format
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Encryption at rest for sensitive data
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• No storage of payment information (we don't process payments)

Children's Privacy

TradeStory is not intended for users under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by email or through a notice on our platform. Your continued use of TradeStory after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at: