Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

When you create an account or use the App, you may provide us with:

• Account Information: Display name, email address, and business name (if registering as a producer).
• Profile Information: Profile photos and producer/consumer designation.
• Listing Content: Place names, descriptions, addresses, product listings, inventory details, pricing, product images, and category information.
• Reports & Moderation: Content you submit through our reporting and flagging features.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the App, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Location Data: With your permission, we collect your device's precise location to display nearby places and products on the map. If you decline location access, the App will default to a general area.
• Usage Data: Browsing activity, search queries, favorited items, marketplace interactions, and how you navigate the App.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and unique device identifiers.
• Analytics & Performance Data: Crash reports, performance metrics, and general interaction data.

1.3 Information from Third-Party Services

• Firebase Authentication: If you sign in using Apple Sign-In or another provider, we receive your authentication token and associated email address.

2. How We Use Your Information & The Benefits to You

We use the information we collect to operate, improve, and protect the App. Here is how we use your data and how it benefits your experience:

• Provide the Service: We use your account, profile, and listing data to display places, products, and inventory on the map. Benefit: This allows you to discover local food and seamlessly connect with producers or consumers.
• Personalize Your Experience: We use your location and usage data to show relevant results. Benefit: You see the farmers markets and local goods closest and most relevant to you, saving you time.
• Safety & Moderation: We use reports and profile data to enforce our Content Standards. Benefit: This helps maintain a trustworthy, high-quality, and safe marketplace environment for everyone.
• Generate Market Insights: We aggregate analytics (e.g., search terms, popular categories) to create market insights. Benefit: Producers can understand local demand to better serve their community, while your individual identity remains completely anonymous.
• Improve the App: We use performance and analytics data to fix bugs and develop new features. Benefit: You get a faster, more stable, and continuously improving app experience.
• Communicate with You: We use your email to send service-related notifications and moderation updates. Benefit: You stay informed about important account updates and community guidelines.

3. Aggregated Market Insights

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Publicly Visible Content: Your display name, business name, place listings, product listings, and associated images are visible to other users of the App.
• Service Providers: We share data with trusted third parties that help us operate the App, including:
  • Firebase (Google): Authentication, database (Firestore), file storage, analytics, and hosting.
  • SendGrid: Transactional emails for moderation notifications.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• Safety: We may share information when we believe it is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of Markit, our users, or the public.

5. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored in Google Cloud (Firebase) infrastructure located in the United States. We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest.
• Firebase Security Rules that restrict data access based on authentication and ownership.
• Admin access controlled via Firebase Custom Claims.

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

6. Image Uploads & Content Safety

Images you upload — such as profile photos and product images — are stored in Firebase Cloud Storage. To maintain a safe community environment:

• We require that users enable the iOS "Sensitive Content Analysis" safety setting to upload images.
• Images are associated with your user account and may be reviewed as part of our moderation process.
• When a product is removed from a place's inventory, the image is retained as it may be shared across multiple listings. Images are permanently deleted only when the underlying product is deleted from the catalog.

7. Your Choices & Rights

Please note that certain core data operations cannot be opted out of if you wish to use the App. This includes basic account information (email, display name) and essential server logs required for the App to function securely.

• Location Data: You can disable location access in your device settings at any time. The App will continue to function with limited location features.
• Account Deletion: You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us at team@markitplace.org.
• Access & Correction: You can access and update your profile information directly within the App.
• Analytics Opt-Out: You can limit analytics collection through your device's privacy settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Markit is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

9. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: You may access the personal data we collect via your in-app profile. Please note that contributing a location to the platform inherently associates your Display Name and Avatar (if applicable) with that listing for attribution. Additional profile data remains private by default, but you may elect to disclose further information to other users by toggling your profile to "Public" within the App settings.
• Right to Delete: You can delete your account securely within the App. This action triggers a complete, cascading deletion of your profile, places, associated products, and inventory from our active servers.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale: As explicitly stated above, we never sell your personal information.

To exercise your rights, contact us at team@markitplace.org.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Email: team@markitplace.org