Privacy Policy – Local Farmers Hub

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, and profile details when you register.
• Location Data: When you search by location or use map-based features.
• Product Listings & Preferences: If you're a grower, we collect information about your farm, listings, and availability.
• Usage Data: Device info, IP address, browser type, referring URL, and activity logs to improve site performance and security.
• Communication Data: Messages sent via the platform, contact forms, or support interactions.

We do not collect payment information directly. If payments are involved in the future, they will be handled through secure, third-party processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Facilitate connections between consumers and growers
• Show relevant products and search results
• Improve our website, algorithms, and services
• Respond to user support or legal inquiries
• Serve clearly marked advertisements and affiliate content (where applicable)

We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

3. Sharing of Information

We only share information when:

• You publicly post content (e.g., farm listings, product info)
• You interact directly with another user (e.g., messaging a seller)
• Required by law (court order, subpoena, or government request)
• Needed to detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues

We may use third-party service providers (e.g., email services, analytics platforms), but they are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for the agreed-upon purpose.

4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in
• Track usage to improve performance
• Serve contextual content or ads

You can modify your browser settings to disable cookies, though this may affect site functionality.

5. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored on secure servers and protected with industry-standard safeguards, including:

• Encrypted passwords
• HTTPS across the platform
• Access controls for administrative areas

Despite best efforts, no system is 100% secure. Use strong passwords and notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You can:

• View and update your account information
• Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Opt out of marketing emails (though we may still contact you for transactional reasons)
• Request a copy of the data we've collected about you

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contact@localfarmershub.com.

7. Children's Privacy

Local Farmers Hub is intended for users age 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe we've collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

8. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to external sites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content. Please review their policies separately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. All changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Your continued use of the site means you accept the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, reach out any time:

📧 Email: contact@localfarmershub.com