Privacy Policy - PongEx

1. Introduction

PongEx, LLC ("PongEx", "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 mobile application and web platform (the "Service").

By using PongEx, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy.

IMPORTANT: We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

Account Registration:

• Email address
• Username/display name
• Password (encrypted)
• Phone number (optional)
• Profile photo (optional)

Profile Information:

• Biographical information
• Location/shipping address
• Payment platform usernames (for transaction facilitation)
• Seller verification information

Transaction Information:

• Item listings (photos, descriptions, prices)
• Purchase history
• Sale records
• Shipping addresses
• Payment confirmations
• Communication records between users

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

Device Information:

• Device type and model
• Operating system and version
• Browser type and version
• IP address
• Device identifiers (advertising ID, etc.)

Usage Information:

• App usage patterns and frequency
• Features used and time spent
• Search queries and browsing history
• Click-through rates and user interactions
• Error logs and crash reports

Location Information:

• Approximate location based on IP address
• GPS location (only with explicit permission)
• Location for shipping and local pickup purposes

2.3 Information from Third Parties

Social Media Integration:

• Profile information from connected social accounts
• Friend lists (with permission)

Payment Platforms:

• Transaction confirmations from Venmo, PayPal, etc.
• Payment status updates

Shipping Services:

• Tracking information
• Delivery confirmations

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Uses

Platform Operation:

• Create and manage user accounts
• Facilitate buying and selling transactions
• Enable communication between users
• Process listings and searches
• Manage our Shakehand transaction system

Transaction Support:

• Verify user identities
• Prevent fraud and ensure platform security
• Resolve disputes between users
• Maintain transaction records
• Generate shipping labels and tracking

Communication:

• Send transaction-related notifications
• Provide customer support
• Send security alerts and important updates
• Facilitate messaging between users

3.2 Secondary Uses

Platform Improvement:

• Analyze usage patterns to improve features
• Conduct research and development
• Test new features and functionality
• Generate aggregate statistics

Marketing and Promotion:

• Send promotional emails (with opt-out option)
• Personalize user experience
• Recommend relevant items and users
• Measure advertising effectiveness

Legal and Safety:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect against fraud and abuse
• Respond to law enforcement requests

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Other Users

Public Information:

• Username and profile photo
• Item listings and descriptions
• Reviews and ratings you give or receive
• Public profile information you choose to share

Transaction-Specific:

• Shipping addresses (with buyers/sellers involved in transactions)
• Communication through our messaging system
• Transaction history (with involved parties only)

4.2 With Service Providers

Essential Services:

• Cloud hosting providers (data storage and processing)
• Payment processors (transaction verification only)
• Shipping services (delivery and tracking)
• Customer support tools
• Analytics and crash reporting services

Marketing Services:

• Email service providers
• Analytics platforms
• Advertising networks (anonymized data only)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
• Protect our rights and property
• Investigate fraud or security issues
• Protect user safety
• Respond to government requests

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

5. Data Security

5.1 Security Measures

Technical Safeguards:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Secure server infrastructure with regular updates
• Multi-factor authentication for admin access
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Automated backup systems with encryption

Organizational Safeguards:

• Limited access to personal data on need-to-know basis
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response procedures
• Regular security policy reviews

5.2 User Responsibilities

Account Security:

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Keep login credentials confidential
• Report suspicious account activity immediately
• Log out from shared devices
• Keep app updated to latest version

5.3 Data Breach Response

In the event of a data breach affecting personal information:

• We will investigate and contain the breach immediately
• Affected users will be notified within 72 hours
• Authorities will be notified as required by law
• We will provide guidance on protective actions users can take

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Access and Control

Account Information:

• View and update your profile information
• Download your transaction history
• Access messages and communications
• View your reviews and ratings

Data Portability:

• Request a copy of your data in machine-readable format
• Export your listings and transaction history
• Transfer account information (where technically feasible)

6.2 Deletion Rights

Account Deletion:

• Delete your account and associated data
• Remove listings and transaction history
• Erase messages and communications
• Note: Some information may be retained for legal compliance

Selective Deletion:

• Remove specific listings
• Delete individual messages
• Remove payment information
• Update or remove shipping addresses

6.3 Communication Preferences

Email Communications:

• Opt out of promotional emails
• Manage notification preferences
• Control transaction-related communications
• Adjust security alert settings

6.4 Regional Rights

California Residents (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of sale of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

EU Residents (GDPR):

• Right of access to personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing

7. Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

• Email: jake@pongex.app