Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

WedVault ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and escrow services for wedding photography and videography in Ontario, Canada.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using WedVault, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account: Name, email address, phone number, password
• Create a booking: Wedding date, venue information, service preferences
• Make payments: Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Communicate with us: Messages, support requests, feedback
• Vendor registration: Business name, portfolio, credentials, banking information

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our Platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, click patterns
• Cookies and Tracking: Session cookies, analytics cookies, preference cookies
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Payment processors (transaction confirmations, fraud prevention data)
• Identity verification services
• Analytics providers
• Social media platforms (if you choose to connect your account)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide Services: Process escrow transactions, facilitate vendor-client matching, manage contracts
• Account Management: Create and maintain your account, authenticate users
• Communication: Send transaction confirmations, updates, customer support responses
• Fraud Prevention: Detect and prevent fraudulent transactions and unauthorized access
• Dispute Resolution: Investigate and resolve disputes between clients and vendors
• Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to improve our Platform and services
• Marketing: Send promotional emails (with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time)
• Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• AI Services: Power our vendor matching and backup guarantee features

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Other Users

• Clients and Vendors share relevant contact and booking information to facilitate services
• Vendor portfolios and reviews are publicly visible

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Payment processing (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
• Cloud hosting and data storage
• Email delivery services
• Analytics and performance monitoring
• Customer support tools
• Identity verification and fraud prevention

4.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of WedVault, our users, or others
• Investigate potential fraud or security issues

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
• Secure Storage: Encrypted databases and secure cloud infrastructure
• Access Controls: Limited employee access on a need-to-know basis
• Payment Security: PCI DSS compliant payment processing
• Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for suspicious activity

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax records, financial reporting)
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Maintain business records

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it. Transaction records may be retained for up to 7 years for legal and accounting purposes.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Under applicable privacy laws, including Canadian privacy legislation, you have the following rights:

7.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

7.2 Correction

You can update or correct your personal information through your account settings or by contacting us.

7.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.

7.4 Opt-Out of Marketing

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails or updating your preferences.

7.5 Cookie Preferences

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

7.6 Withdraw Consent

Where we process your information based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

8.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for Platform functionality (login, security)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our Platform
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Marketing Cookies: Track effectiveness of our marketing campaigns

8.2 Third-Party Analytics

We use third-party analytics services such as Google Analytics to analyze Platform usage. These services may use cookies and similar technologies.

8.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing cookies. Please note that disabling cookies may impact your experience on our Platform.

9. Children's Privacy

WedVault is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

10. International Users

WedVault operates primarily in Ontario, Canada. If you access our Platform from outside Canada, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Canada, where our servers and databases are located.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to Canada and acknowledge that Canadian privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

11. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites, including vendor portfolios and social media profiles. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our Platform with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Displaying a prominent notice on our Platform

Your continued use of WedVault after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Additional Rights for Certain Jurisdictions

13.1 Canadian Privacy Rights (PIPEDA)

Under Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect and how it's used
• Access your personal information
• Challenge the accuracy and completeness of your information
• File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

13.2 European Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, you may have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to object to processing and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

14. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our Platform does not currently respond to DNT signals, as there is no industry standard for how to interpret them. We will continue to monitor developments in this area.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: