Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At CodeHub, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using our service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms outlined in this policy. If you do not agree with our policies, please do not access or use our service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our platform:

Personal Information:

• Contact information (name, email address, phone number)
• Account credentials (username, password)
• Profile information (professional skills, experience, education, portfolio)
• Payment information (processed through Stripe)
• Communication data (messages between users on our platform)

Non-Personal Information:

• Device information (browser type, IP address, device type)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent on the platform, click patterns)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

Note about Passwords:

CodeHub uses Firebase Authentication for user account management. We do not store or have access to your plaintext passwords. Firebase securely hashes and manages all password information.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect information in the following ways:

• Direct collection: Information you provide when you register, create a profile, post services, or communicate on our platform
• Automated collection: Through cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies as you navigate our website
• Third-party sources: Information from service providers like Firebase and Stripe, as permitted by their respective privacy policies and your settings

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including to:

• Create and maintain your account
• Provide, personalize, and improve our services
• Process transactions and send related information
• Facilitate communication between freelancers and clients
• Send administrative notifications, service updates, and promotional messages
• Monitor and analyze usage patterns and trends
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or illegal activity
• Enforce our Terms of Service

5. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your personal information in the following circumstances:

• With other users: Your profile information and communications will be shared with other users as necessary for the functioning of the platform
• Service providers: We share information with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as:
  • Stripe for payment processing
  • Firebase for database and authentication services
  • Analytics providers
  • Customer service and support providers
• Business transfers: If CodeHub is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requests

6. Payment Information

CodeHub uses Stripe to process all payments on our platform. When you make or receive payments:

• Your payment card details are never stored on our servers
• Payment information is securely collected and processed directly by Stripe
• Stripe may store your payment information according to their privacy policy
• We receive and may store limited information about your transactions, such as the amount, date, and status of the payment
• For freelancers receiving payments, we collect bank account or other payout information which is securely transmitted to Stripe

For more information about how Stripe handles your data, please refer to Stripe's Privacy Policy.

7. Firebase and Data Storage

We use Firebase, a platform provided by Google, for various services including database, authentication, and hosting. When you use our platform:

• Your account data is stored in Firebase's secure infrastructure
• Firebase Authentication securely manages user authentication and does not provide us access to your passwords
• Your profile information, service listings, and communications are stored in the Firebase Firestore database
• Firebase's infrastructure includes security measures designed to protect your data

For more information on how Google and Firebase handle your data, please refer to the Firebase Privacy Policy.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the personal information we collect and process. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We take steps to ensure that:

• Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel
• Sensitive information, such as payment details, is encrypted during transmission
• Regular security assessments are conducted to identify and address potential vulnerabilities
• User data is backed up regularly to prevent loss

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you in accordance with applicable laws.

9. Your Rights and Choices

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

• Access: You can request access to your personal information that we hold
• Correction: You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information
• Restriction: You can request that we restrict the processing of your information
• Data portability: You can request a copy of your information in a structured, commonly used format
• Objection: You can object to our processing of your information in certain circumstances

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content.

• Functional cookies: These are necessary for the website to function properly
• Analytical cookies: These help us understand how visitors interact with our website
• Advertising cookies: These are used to deliver advertisements relevant to your interests

You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. However, if you disable or refuse cookies, some parts of the service may become inaccessible or not function properly.

11. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to persons under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us. If we discover that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will delete such information from our servers.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than the one in which you reside. By using our service, you consent to the transfer of information to countries that may have different data protection rules than your country.

When we transfer your information internationally, we take measures to ensure that it receives an adequate level of protection in the countries where we process it.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by an updated "Last updated" date at the bottom of this page. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and, where appropriate, sending you a notification.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@codehub.com