Privacy Policy

When you place a bid on our Platform, we collect the following information:

• Bidder Name: Your full name or the name you provide when placing a bid. This is required to identify bidders and contact winners.
• Bidder Email Address: Your email address (required). We use this to send bid confirmations, notify you if you are the winning bidder, and communicate important information about auctions and your bids.
• Bidder Phone Number: Your phone number (optional). We may use this to contact you regarding auction updates, payment arrangements, and item pickup if you are the winning bidder.
• Bid Amount: The monetary amount of each bid you place. This information is stored to maintain auction records and determine winning bids.
• Bid Timestamp: The date and time when each bid was placed. This is used to determine bid order and resolve any disputes.
• Listing Information: Information about the items you bid on, including listing ID and auction details.

In addition to bidder information, we may collect:

• Account Information: If you create an account, we collect username, password (encrypted), and any profile information you choose to provide.
• Technical Information: We automatically collect certain technical information including IP address, browser type, device information, and usage data to improve our Platform and prevent fraud.
• Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze Platform usage, and assist with security.

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To process and manage your bids
• To notify you if you are the winning bidder
• To contact you regarding auction updates, payment arrangements, and item pickup
• To maintain accurate auction records and resolve disputes
• To improve and optimize our Platform
• To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or illegal activity
• To comply with legal obligations
• To send administrative information, updates, and marketing communications (with your consent)

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

• Public Bid Information: Your bidder name and bid amounts may be displayed publicly on the Platform as part of the auction process. Email addresses are never displayed publicly.
• Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Platform, such as hosting providers, payment processors, and email services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
• With Your Consent: We may share information with your explicit consent for specific purposes.

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Security measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Bid records and auction information may be retained indefinitely for historical and legal record-keeping purposes.

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

• Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational requirements.
• Opt-Out: You may opt out of marketing communications by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contacting us directly.
• Data Portability: You may request a copy of your data in a portable format.

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

Our Platform is not intended for 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 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

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

• Platform: Texas Star Bidding Platform
• Email: [Contact email will be provided]
• Website: Use the contact form available on the Platform