BLACK DOLLARS CONNECT — PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: [EFFECTIVE DATE]
Owner/Operator: [LEGAL NAME OR ENTITY] (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”)
Contact: [CONTACT EMAIL]
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information in connection with the Black Dollars Connect progressive web application, website, and related services (collectively, the “App”). By using the App, you agree to this Privacy Policy and to our Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This Policy applies to information we process through the App. It does not apply to third-party websites, businesses, advertisers, or services that we do not own or control, including any business listed in the App. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.
2. NOTICE AT COLLECTION (SUMMARY)
2.1 At or before the point of collection, we want you to know the categories of personal information we collect and why. In summary, we collect: identifiers (such as name, email, phone, IP address); internet and device/usage activity; approximate location (from IP or a ZIP code you enter); commercial information (such as listing submissions and any purchases); audio/visual information (such as uploaded photos); account credentials (if you create an account); payment information (processed by our payment processor); and inferences. We use this information to operate and improve the App, manage Listings and submissions, communicate with you, support analytics and advertising, secure the App, and comply with law, as detailed below. We retain it as described in Section 22. We do not sell personal information for money, though some advertising/analytics activity may be considered “sharing” or a “sale” under certain laws (see Sections 10–11 and 17).
3. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
3.1 Information You Provide. We collect information you choose to provide, for example when you:
- Submit a business listing, claim a listing, or request a correction or removal;
- Report an issue or submit feedback, photos, ratings, or reviews;
- Create an account (if available), contact us, or sign up for a newsletter or notifications.
This may include your name, email address, telephone number, business name and details, location, account login credentials, the content of your messages or submissions, and any documents or images you upload (for example, proof of business ownership).
3.2 Information Collected Automatically. When you use the App, we and our service providers may automatically collect device and technical data (device type, operating system, browser, language); log and usage data (screens viewed, features used, search terms, ZIP codes or regions selected, dates and times of use, referring/exit activity); approximate location derived from your IP address or a ZIP code you enter (we do not collect precise GPS location unless you affirmatively provide it); and identifiers such as IP address and cookie or device identifiers.
3.3 Information Stored on Your Device. The App may store information locally on your device (for example, in “local storage”) to remember preferences such as your saved or favorite listings. This generally stays on your device.
3.4 Information from Third Parties. We may receive information about businesses and Listings from public records, third-party directories, and community submissions, and limited information from analytics, advertising, hosting, payment, and similar service providers.
4. PUBLIC NATURE OF SUBMISSIONS
4.1 Information you submit for inclusion in the App — such as a business listing, claim, review, rating, photo, or related details — may be displayed publicly within the App and is not private. Please do not include any information in a submission that you do not want to be publicly visible. We are not responsible for information you choose to make public, and once content is public, copies may be retained or shared by others outside our control.
5. PAYMENT INFORMATION
5.1 If you purchase a paid feature (for example, a featured or enhanced Listing), payment is processed by a third-party payment processor. We do not collect or store full payment card numbers. The processor handles your payment data under its own terms and privacy policy. We may receive limited information such as a confirmation, the last four digits of a card, or billing contact details.
6. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
6.1 We and our service providers may use cookies, pixels, software development kits, local storage, and similar technologies to operate the App, remember preferences, measure traffic and performance, and (if enabled) support advertising.
6.2 You can control cookies through your browser or device settings, and you may be able to opt out of certain analytics or advertising cookies as described in Section 10. Blocking some technologies may affect how the App functions.
6.3 The App does not currently respond to browser “Do Not Track” signals; however, where required by law, we honor recognized opt-out preference signals (such as Global Privacy Control) as a valid request to opt out of “sale” or “sharing.”
7. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
7.1 We use information to: provide, operate, maintain, and improve the App; display and manage Listings and process submissions, claims, corrections, reports, and reviews; communicate with you, including service messages and (with any required consent) notifications, texts, or newsletters; verify business ownership and review submissions; process payments for paid features; analyze usage and trends; display and measure advertising, where applicable; protect the security and integrity of the App, prevent fraud and abuse, and enforce our Terms; and comply with legal obligations and exercise or defend legal claims.
8. HOW WE DISCLOSE INFORMATION
8.1 We may disclose information: to Service Providers who perform services on our behalf (such as hosting and content delivery, analytics, advertising, payment processing, email and notification delivery, database and authentication, and support); for Legal and Safety Reasons (to comply with law, legal process, or governmental requests; to enforce our Terms; or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, users, or others); in a Business Transfer (such as a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets); and With Your Consent or at your direction.
8.2 We do not sell your personal information for money. However, our use of advertising and analytics technologies may be considered “selling” or “sharing” of personal information under certain state laws. See Sections 10, 11, and 17.
9. AGGREGATED AND DE-IDENTIFIED DATA
9.1 We may create and use aggregated, anonymized, or de-identified information that does not identify you (for example, usage statistics and trends) for any purpose, including improving and promoting the App. Such information is not subject to this Policy, and we will maintain and use de-identified information in de-identified form to the extent required by law.
10. ADVERTISING AND ANALYTICS
10.1 Analytics. We may use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand how the App is used. These services collect information such as your IP address, device data, and usage activity using cookies and similar technologies. Learn more and opt out at https://policies.google.com/privacy and https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
10.2 Advertising. The App may display advertising and may work with advertising partners or networks (such as Google AdSense, Raptive, or similar) that may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your activity over time and across sites and apps to provide interest-based (personalized) advertising and measure ad performance.
10.3 Your Ad Choices. You can opt out of interest-based advertising from many companies via the Digital Advertising Alliance (https://optout.aboutads.info), the Network Advertising Initiative (https://optout.networkadvertising.org), and your device settings. Opting out does not stop all ads, only personalized ones.
11. DO NOT SELL OR SHARE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
11.1 We do not sell your personal information for money. However, the use of advertising and analytics technologies described above may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” of personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act and similar laws.
11.2 You have the right to opt out. You may do so by (a) using the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link or control where provided in the App, (b) contacting us at [CONTACT EMAIL], or (c) enabling a recognized opt-out preference signal such as Global Privacy Control, which we will honor where required by law.
12. NOTIFICATIONS, EMAILS, CALLS, AND TEXTS
12.1 With your permission, we may send push notifications (for example, via a service such as OneSignal). You can disable push notifications in your device or browser settings at any time.
12.2 If you provide your email address, we may send service-related messages and, if you opt in, newsletters or updates; you can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in those messages.
12.3 If you provide a phone number or enable related features, we may send automated texts or calls (for example, verification codes or service messages), only with any consent required by law, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Message and data rates may apply, and you may opt out of non-essential messages as described in those messages.
13. SOCIAL AND SHARE FEATURES
13.1 The App may include features that let you share content (for example, sharing a Listing) or that interact with social platforms. If you use these features, the relevant platform may collect information about you under its own privacy policy, and your interactions are governed by that platform’s terms. We are not responsible for the data practices of those platforms.
14. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND LINKS
14.1 The App relies on third-party providers (for example, hosting and content delivery such as BigScoots and Cloudflare; database and authentication such as Google Firebase; analytics; advertising; payment processing; and notification and email services). These providers process information on our behalf or under their own policies.
14.2 The App contains links and references to third-party businesses and websites. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Review their policies before providing information to them.
15. SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION
15.1 We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information from users, such as precise geolocation, government identifiers, financial account log-in credentials, racial or ethnic origin, health information, or similar categories, and we ask that you not submit such information. Any “Black-owned” or similar designation in the App refers to businesses and listings (often based on public sources or self-identification by submitters) and is not a collection of any user’s personal characteristics. If you choose to submit sensitive information voluntarily, you do so at your own risk.
16. YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES AND RIGHTS
16.1 General Choices. You may: update or correct information you submitted by contacting us; disable cookies via your browser; turn off push notifications; unsubscribe from marketing emails; and opt out of interest-based advertising as described above.
16.2 Requests. To request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information we hold about you, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL]. We will respond as required by applicable law and may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.
17. CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
17.1 If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended (CCPA/CPRA), gives you certain rights, subject to exceptions.
17.2 Categories of personal information we may collect include: identifiers; internet or other electronic activity; approximate geolocation; commercial information; audio/visual information; account credentials; payment-related information; and inferences. We collect these for the business purposes described in Section 7, from the sources in Section 3, and disclose them as described in Sections 8, 10, and 11.
17.3 “Sale” or “Sharing.” We do not sell personal information for money. Our use of advertising/analytics technologies may constitute “sharing” or a “sale” under the CCPA. You have the right to opt out as described in Section 11.
17.4 Your Rights. Subject to exceptions, you have the right to: know/access the personal information we collect and how we use and disclose it; request deletion; request correction; opt out of “sale”/”sharing”; limit use of sensitive personal information (note: we do not use sensitive personal information for purposes that require a limitation right); and not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.
17.5 Exercising Rights. Submit requests to [CONTACT EMAIL]. You may use an authorized agent, subject to verification. If we deny a request, you may appeal by replying to our response.
17.6 California “Shine the Light.” California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request, once per calendar year and free of charge, information about the categories of personal information (if any) we disclosed to third parties for those third parties’ own direct marketing purposes in the preceding calendar year. We do not share personal information with third parties for their own direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL].
18. OTHER U.S. STATE PRIVACY RIGHTS
18.1 Residents of certain other states (such as Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and others as laws take effect) may have rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of their personal data, and to opt out of targeted advertising or the sale of personal data. To exercise these rights, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL]. Where available, you may appeal a decision regarding your request by replying to our response.
18A. NEVADA RESIDENTS
18A.1 Nevada law (NRS Chapter 603A) allows Nevada residents to opt out of the “sale” of certain covered personal information for monetary consideration. We do not sell covered information as defined under Nevada law. If you are a Nevada resident and wish to submit a request or verify your status, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL].
19. EUROPEAN AND UK USERS (GDPR)
19.1 The App is operated in and intended for the United States. If you access it from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the following applies to the extent the GDPR or UK GDPR governs our processing.
19.2 Legal Bases. We process personal data based on: your consent (which you may withdraw); performance of a contract (to provide the App); our legitimate interests (such as improving and securing the App and preventing fraud), balanced against your rights; and compliance with legal obligations.
19.3 Your Rights. Subject to law, you may have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or object to processing, to data portability, and to withdraw consent. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data-protection authority.
19.4 Transfers. Your information will be processed in the United States, which may not provide the same level of protection as your home jurisdiction. To exercise rights, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL].
20. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
20.1 The App is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL] and we will take appropriate steps to delete it. Users must also meet the age requirements in our Terms of Service.
21. BUSINESS-LISTING REMOVAL AND CORRECTION REQUESTS
21.1 If you are a business owner or an individual and you wish to correct, update, or remove a Listing or other information about you or your business in the App, contact us at [CONTACT EMAIL] with enough detail to identify the Listing. We will review the request and, where appropriate, correct or remove the information. We may decline requests that are unlawful, fraudulent, or that conflict with others’ rights, and we may verify that you are authorized to make the request.
22. DATA RETENTION
22.1 We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements, after which we delete or de-identify it.
23. DATA SECURITY
23.1 We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping any credentials confidential and for the security of your own device.
24. DATA BREACH NOTIFICATION
24.1 In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and any authorities as required by applicable law.
25. INTERNATIONAL USERS
25.1 The App is operated in the United States and intended for U.S. users. If you access the App from outside the United States, you understand that your information will be processed in the United States, which may have different data-protection laws than your jurisdiction.
26. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
26.1 We may update this Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version in the App and update the Effective Date. Changes are effective when posted. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance.
27. CONTACT US
27.1 If you have questions or requests regarding this Policy or your information, contact us at:
[LEGAL NAME OR ENTITY]
[CONTACT EMAIL]
[MAILING ADDRESS, if applicable]
NOTE (not part of the Policy): This document is a template provided for convenience and is not legal advice. Privacy laws vary by state and country and change frequently. Update the named third-party services to match the tools you actually use; fill in all bracketed placeholders; and have a licensed attorney review and finalize this Policy before publishing.