Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

GiveAuction is operated by Ocean Digital LLC ("Ocean Digital," "we," "us," or "our"), a North Carolina limited liability company. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Platform, including our website, mobile applications, and services.

Platform Facilitator Notice: GiveAuction operates as a marketplace platform connecting nonprofit organizations and schools with donors and bidders. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of Organizations, bidders, donors, or any third parties you interact with through the Platform. When you provide information to other users, their use of that information is governed by their own privacy practices.

Scope: This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the GiveAuction platform. It does not apply to information collected by third parties, including Organizations, payment processors, or linked websites.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Registration: Name, email address, password, phone number
• Profile Information: Display name, profile photo, biography, preferences
• Verification Information: Identity documents, nonprofit documentation (for Organizations)
• Transaction Data: Bid history, auto-bid settings and activity, donation records, purchase history, payment methods
• Shipping Information: Physical addresses for item delivery
• Communications: Messages sent through the Platform, support inquiries, feedback
• User Content: Auction listings, item descriptions, photos, campaign descriptions (for Organizations), chat messages, comments, and reactions

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: IP address, device type, browser type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, features used, time spent, click patterns, search queries
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address; precise location if you grant permission
• Cookies and Tracking: Cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies
• Log Data: Access times, error logs, referring URLs

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Authentication Providers: Information from Google, Apple, or other OAuth providers if you sign in using those services
• Payment Processors: Transaction status, partial payment information from Stripe and other processors
• Analytics Providers: Aggregated usage data from analytics services

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Provide Services: Operate the Platform, process transactions, facilitate auctions and donations
• Account Management: Create and manage your account, authenticate users
• Transactions: Process payments, facilitate shipping, generate tax receipts
• Communications: Send transactional emails, notifications about bids, auto-bid updates, auction updates, donation confirmations, in-app chat messages, and social interaction notifications
• Personalization: Customize your experience, provide recommendations
• Safety and Security: Prevent fraud, detect abuse, protect users and the Platform
• Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations, respond to legal requests
• Analytics: Analyze usage patterns, improve our services
• Marketing and Advertising: Send promotional communications, deliver targeted and personalized advertising, and promote products, services, campaigns, and features both on and off the Platform
• Fundraising Outreach: Contact you about fundraising campaigns, events, auctions, and charitable opportunities on the Platform, including those organized by other Organizations
• Platform Marketing: Promote the GiveAuction platform, its features, campaigns, and related products and services operated by Ocean Digital LLC or its affiliates
• Community Building: Connect you with relevant fundraising opportunities based on your interests, participation history, and preferences
• Product Development: Develop, test, and improve new and existing products, services, features, and technologies
• Machine Learning and AI: Train, develop, and improve machine learning models, algorithms, and artificial intelligence systems
• Research and Insights: Conduct research, generate aggregated insights, benchmarks, and reports for internal and commercial purposes
• Business Operations: Support any other lawful business purpose of Ocean Digital LLC, its affiliates, successors, and assigns

3.1 Artificial Intelligence and Automated Processing

We use artificial intelligence and automated systems to:

• Generate auction item descriptions from photos
• Provide personalized recommendations and search results
• Detect and prevent fraudulent activity
• Power the AI Chat Assistant feature
• Analyze content for policy compliance
• Estimate shipping costs and item values

3.2 Fundraising Campaign Communications

By creating an account on GiveAuction, you consent to receive communications about fundraising campaigns, charitable events, and auction opportunities available on the Platform. These communications may include campaigns organized by Organizations other than those you have previously interacted with. We may use your participation history, interests, and preferences to recommend relevant campaigns. You also consent to receive in-app messages from other users (including sellers, buyers, and supporters) through the Platform's built-in chat and messaging features, as well as notifications related to social interactions (follows, connection requests, comments, and reactions). You may opt out of promotional communications at any time through your account settings or by using the unsubscribe link in any email, but you cannot opt out of transactional communications (bid confirmations, auto-bid updates, payment receipts, in-app messages, etc.) while your account is active.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Sharing with Other Users

When you use the Platform, certain information is shared with other users:

• Public Profile: Username, profile photo, and any information you make public
• Bid Information: Your bids (including auto-bids) on auctions are visible to other bidders and the Organization
• Leaderboards: Donation amounts may appear on campaign leaderboards (you may opt for anonymous donations)
• Transaction Information: Winning bidders' shipping addresses are shared with Organizations for fulfillment
• In-App Messages: Direct chat messages are shared with their intended recipients; message content is stored on our servers
• Social Interactions: Comments, reactions, follows, and connection status are visible to other users on the Platform

4.2 Sharing with Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Payment Processing: Stripe and other payment processors handle financial transactions
• Cloud Hosting: Server infrastructure and data storage providers
• Email Services: Transactional and marketing email delivery
• Analytics: Usage analysis and performance monitoring
• Shipping: Shipping label generation and tracking services
• AI Services: Third-party AI providers for content generation and analysis

4.3 Other Disclosures

We may disclose your information:

• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
• Safety: To protect the rights, safety, and property of GiveAuction, our users, or the public
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, reorganization, spin-off, creation of a new operating entity, change of control, or any other corporate transaction. In such events, all user data may be transferred to and used by the successor or acquiring entity in accordance with these terms. Ocean Digital LLC shall be released from all further privacy obligations upon completion of such transfer.
• With Consent: With your explicit consent for other purposes
• Aggregated Data: Anonymized or aggregated data that cannot identify you

4.4 Sharing with Organizations

When you participate in a fundraising event, auction, or donation campaign, certain information (such as your name, bid amounts, donation amounts, and shipping address for won items) is shared with the organizing Organization to facilitate the transaction. Organizations agree to use this information only for purposes related to their fundraising activities and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

4.5 Data Use for Business Purposes

Ocean Digital LLC and its successors and assigns may collect, use, process, and exploit data generated by or derived from your use of the Platform (including usage data, transaction data, behavioral data, preferences, and interaction patterns) for any lawful purpose, including analytics, product development, machine learning and AI training, advertising and marketing, creating aggregated insights, business intelligence, benchmarking, and any other commercial or operational purpose. Where such data is used in an aggregated or de-identified form, it is not subject to the restrictions applicable to personal information.

5. Payment Information

5.1 Payment Processing: All payments are processed by third-party payment processors, primarily Stripe. When you add a payment method, your card information is transmitted directly to and stored by Stripe. GiveAuction does not store complete payment card numbers on our servers.

5.2 What We Store: We retain limited payment information, such as card type, last four digits, and expiration date, for display purposes and transaction records.

5.3 Stripe Privacy: Stripe's collection and use of your information is governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy at stripe.com/privacy.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services and maintain your account
• Comply with legal obligations (tax records are typically retained for 7 years)
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Prevent fraud and abuse

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 90 days, except for information we are required to retain by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as transaction records and tax documentation).

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
• Secure authentication mechanisms
• Access controls and monitoring
• Regular security assessments

No Guarantee: However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information. You use the Platform and provide information at your own risk.

Your Responsibility: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for any activity that occurs under your account.

8. Your Privacy Rights

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Platform to function (authentication, security)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements (with consent)

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit Platform functionality.

10. Children's Privacy

Age Restriction: The Platform is not intended for users under 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

COPPA Compliance: GiveAuction complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it promptly.

Parental Notice: If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at hello@oz3an.com.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country.

By using the Platform, you consent to such transfers. We take steps to ensure that your information receives adequate protection in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law, including the use of Standard Contractual Clauses for transfers from the EEA.

12. Platform Facilitator Disclaimer

We are not responsible for:

• How Organizations handle, store, or use buyer/donor information
• Privacy practices of individual Organizations or users
• Organization compliance with data protection laws
• Privacy practices of third-party websites linked from the Platform
• Unauthorized sharing of information between users
• Data breaches or security incidents at third-party services
• The actions, representations, or omissions of any Organization
• The tax-exempt status or charitable practices of any Organization

13. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services before providing your information.

14. Operator Transition and Data Transfer

Ocean Digital LLC currently operates GiveAuction during its initial phase. Ocean Digital LLC reserves the right to transfer, assign, or delegate the operation of the Platform — and all associated user data — to a new or separate legal entity at any time without prior notice or your consent. Upon any such transfer:

• All user data collected during Ocean Digital LLC's operation will be transferred to the successor entity
• The successor entity will be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy (or may adopt an updated privacy policy)
• Ocean Digital LLC shall be fully and irrevocably released from all privacy obligations, liabilities, and claims arising under this Privacy Policy
• All licenses, consents, and authorizations you granted to Ocean Digital LLC shall automatically transfer to and be enforceable by the successor entity
• Your continued use of the Platform after such transfer constitutes acceptance of the successor entity as the data controller

Ocean Digital LLC retains the right to use aggregated and de-identified data derived from its period of operation even after any transfer of the Platform, for any lawful business purpose including research, analytics, product development, and marketing.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons.

We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on the Platform, updating the "Last Updated" date, and/or sending you an email notification. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

16. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact Ocean Digital LLC at:

• Ocean Digital LLC — General Privacy: hello@oz3an.com
• Data Protection Officer (GDPR): hello@oz3an.com
• California Privacy (CCPA): hello@oz3an.com