Privacy Policy for PlaceBuy

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Thank you for visiting PlaceBuy ("we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal and non-personal information when you use our AI-powered global real estate platform at https://placebuy.com (the "Website" or "Platform").

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the practices described in this policy, please do not use the Platform.

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Personal Data

We collect the following personal information:

Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, profile picture, preferred language, and preferred currency.

Role-Specific Information:
- Buyers/Renters: Saved searches, property preferences, budget range, location preferences, view history
- Sellers/Agents: Company name, license number, verification documents, property ownership documents
- Agents: Professional credentials, business information, team member details

Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, and payment history processed securely through Stripe. We do not store complete payment card details on our servers.

Property Information: Property addresses, descriptions, photos, pricing, documents, legal records, and transaction history for listings you create or interact with.

Communication Data: Messages sent through our platform, chat history, notes, and correspondence related to property transactions.

Transaction Data: Offers, counter-offers, contracts, e-signatures, escrow deposit information, and deal room activity.

Location Data: GPS coordinates, IP address-based location, and property geolocation data.

1.2 Non-Personal Data

We collect non-personal information including:

Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, cookies, and browsing patterns.

Usage Analytics: Pages visited, search queries, property views, time spent on listings, click patterns, and feature usage statistics.

AI Training Data: Aggregated and anonymized data to improve our AI models for property descriptions, photo grading, market analysis, and search relevance.

2. PURPOSE OF DATA COLLECTION

We collect and use your data for the following purposes:

Platform Services:
- Creating and managing user accounts with role-based access
- Listing properties for sale or rent
- Facilitating property search and discovery
- Processing subscription payments (Free, Buyer Pro €12/mo, Seller Pro €49/mo, Agent Premium €199/mo)
- Managing real estate transactions through our Deal Room
- Enabling secure messaging between buyers, sellers, and agents
- Processing escrow deposits and financial transactions

AI-Powered Features:
- Generating property descriptions in 20+ languages using GPT-4
- Grading and providing feedback on property photos
- Providing AI-powered pricing insights and market analysis
- Delivering personalized search results and property recommendations
- Generating neighborhood insights including crime rates, school ratings, and air quality data

Communication:
- Sending transactional emails (account confirmations, password resets, transaction updates)
- Delivering property alerts and saved search notifications
- Providing customer support through Crisp chat integration
- Sending subscription and billing notifications

Legal Compliance:
- Verifying identity for real estate transactions
- Maintaining transaction records as required by law
- Preventing fraud and ensuring platform security
- Complying with real estate regulations and KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements

3. DATA SHARING AND THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

We share your data with the following third parties:

Payment Processing: Stripe processes all payment transactions, subscription management, and escrow deposits.

AI Services: OpenAI processes property data to generate descriptions, analyze photos, and provide market insights. Data sent to OpenAI is subject to their privacy policy.

Email Services: Resend handles transactional emails, alerts, and notifications.

Customer Support: Crisp provides chat support functionality.

Cloud Storage: AWS S3 or Cloudinary stores property photos and documents securely.

Real Estate Data Providers: We may share property information with MLS systems, Zillow, Rightmove, or other real estate platforms when you choose to syndicate your listings.

Legal Requirements: We may disclose information to law enforcement, regulatory agencies, or in response to valid legal processes.

Transaction Parties: When you engage in a real estate transaction, your information is shared with relevant parties (buyers, sellers, agents, attorneys, inspectors, lenders, title companies) as necessary to complete the transaction.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. DATA RETENTION

We retain your personal data for as follows:

Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 3 years after account deletion for legal compliance.

Transaction Records: Maintained for 7 years after transaction completion as required by real estate regulations.

Property Listings: Archived listings retained for 2 years after removal.

Communication Data: Deal Room messages and documents retained for 5 years for legal protection.

Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized permanently for platform improvement.

You can request data deletion at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.

5. YOUR RIGHTS (GDPR & DATA PROTECTION)

Under GDPR and other privacy laws, you have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure: Request deletion of your data (right to be forgotten), subject to legal obligations.
Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format.
Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
Withdraw Consent: Opt-out of marketing communications or data processing based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at bartzalewskidev@gmail.com.

6. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

We use cookies for:

Essential Cookies: Authentication, security, and core platform functionality.
Analytics Cookies: Understanding user behavior and improving our services.
Preference Cookies: Remembering your language, currency, and settings.
Marketing Cookies: Delivering relevant advertisements (you can opt-out).

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may limit platform functionality.

7. DATA SECURITY

We implement industry-standard security measures:

- Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest
- Secure authentication with NextAuth and JWT tokens
- Role-based access controls and permission systems
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Secure document storage with access logging
- Two-factor authentication options for accounts

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

PlaceBuy operates globally. Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence, including the United States and European Union. We ensure adequate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:

- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
- Privacy Shield framework compliance where applicable
- Ensuring third-party processors meet GDPR requirements

9. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

PlaceBuy is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. Real estate transactions require legal capacity to contract. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, contact us immediately at bartzalewskidev@gmail.com.

10. CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under CCPA:

- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
- Right to deletion of personal information
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

11. UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. Significant changes will be communicated via:

- Email notification to your registered email address
- Prominent notice on the Platform
- Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy

Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal data:

Email: bartzalewskidev@gmail.com
Website: https://placebuy.com
Data Protection Officer: Available upon request

For support inquiries, use the chat widget on our website or visit our Contact page.

13. COMPLAINTS

If you believe we have not handled your personal data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority:

EU: Your national Data Protection Authority
UK: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
California: California Attorney General's Office

By using PlaceBuy, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described herein.