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UniBid Privacy Policy

UniBid (“we,” “our,” or “us”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains the types of information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices available to you regarding your personal data.

This policy applies to our UniBid website, platform, and related services (the “Services”). It does not apply to employment-related information or external third-party websites linked from our Services.

1. Types of Personal Information We Collect

We collect different types of personal information depending on how you interact with our platform.

A. Registration & Account Information

To use UniBid, you may need to create an account. During registration, we collect:

  • Basic identifiers: Name, email address, phone number, university affiliation, and user type (e.g., student, landlord, parent, property manager, or real estate agent)
  • Login credentials: Username and password
  • Parent/Guardian details: If applicable, students may provide parent/guardian contact information for lease approvals or communication purposes
  • Property Manager/Real Estate Agent Information: If a property is managed by a third party, landlords or property managers may provide their professional contact details

B. Transactional & Listing Information

  • Students: Rental preferences, bids placed, selected properties
  • Landlords/Property Managers/Agents: Property details, pricing, lease terms, tenant applications, and payment-related information

C. Usage, Technical, and Messaging Information

We automatically collect data related to your use of our platform, including:

  • Device & browsing data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, referring/exit pages, timestamps, and click data
  • Platform interactions: Search history, messages exchanged, and activity logs
  • In-app messaging: UniBid provides messaging tools for students and property listers to communicate directly within the platform. Conversations between users are stored and may be monitored for security, compliance, and dispute resolution purposes

D. Payment & Financial Data

If you subscribe to premium listings or complete transactions through UniBid, we may collect:

  • Billing information: Name, billing address, and payment method
  • Transaction details: Purchase history, invoices, and receipts

E. Communication & Support Data

If you contact UniBid for support or inquiries, we collect:

  • Correspondence: Emails, chat messages, or other support interactions
  • Feedback: Reviews, surveys, or testimonials

F. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and analyze traffic patterns. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings.

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We obtain personal data in three primary ways:

  1. Directly from You: When you register, create a listing, bid on a property, or communicate with us
  2. Automatically: Through cookies and tracking technologies when you use the platform
  3. From Third Parties: We may receive verification or supplemental data from universities, property management services, and analytics providers

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

We use personal data for various business purposes, including:

  • Providing and improving Services, such as facilitating property listings, student bidding, and transactions
  • Personalizing user experience by recommending listings based on preferences and behavior
  • Ensuring security, including preventing fraud, verifying identities, and protecting against misuse
  • Enabling in-app messaging between students and property listers and monitoring for compliance, safety, and dispute resolution
  • Communicating with users by sending updates, service notifications, and marketing communications (you can opt out)
  • Legal compliance, including adhering to applicable laws, enforcing agreements, and resolving disputes
  • 2FA: by accepting our privacy policy, you are agreeing to opt-in to receive SMS messages from UniBid for the purposes of providing a one-time passcode to be used to sign in and register for the UniBid platform.

4. How We Share Your Personal Information

We do not sell your personal information. However, we may share it with:

  • Other users: Limited profile information (e.g., student rental preferences, landlord/property manager listings) is visible to relevant parties
  • Parents/Guardians: If a student provides parent/guardian details for lease approval or co-signing purposes, we may share rental-related information with them
  • Service providers: Third-party companies that help us process payments, host servers, and analyze user activity
  • University partners: If you access UniBid through a university program, we may share anonymized usage data
  • Legal and regulatory entities: If required by law, such as in response to subpoenas or law enforcement requests
  • Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your data may be transferred to a successor organization

User Control: If you share personal details (e.g., phone number or address) directly with other users via our platform, you do so at your own risk.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect personal data, including:

  • Encryption of sensitive information
  • Firewalls and secure servers
  • Access controls and authentication procedures

However, no system is 100% secure. Users should also take precautions to safeguard their accounts.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data for as long as necessary to:

  • Provide the Services
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

After the retention period, we securely delete or anonymize the data.

7. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including:

A. Access & Updates

  • You can review, update, or delete your account information via account settings

B. Opt-Out Options

  • Marketing Emails: You may opt out via the “unsubscribe” link in emails
  • By deleting your account you will automatically stop receiving SMS messages from UniBid
  • Cookies: Adjust browser settings to block cookies (note: some features may be affected)

C. Data Deletion Requests

You can request the deletion of your personal data by contacting us at [Insert Contact Email] (subject to legal and business requirements)

8. Children’s Privacy

UniBid is not intended for users under 13 years old. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If we discover such data, we will delete it.

9. Third-Party Links & Integrations

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before providing personal data.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted with a revised “Last Modified” date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be notified to users via email or platform notifications.

11. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Email: support@unibid.ai