Privacy Policy

Introduction

Thank you for using Marketize. This Privacy Policy governs how Marketize Ltd ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, stores, and shares information about you when you access or use our website at marketize.biz and our associated mobile applications (collectively, the "Platform").

By using the Platform, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into our Terms of Service by reference. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please discontinue use of the Platform.

Who We Are

Marketize Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales. We operate a digital marketplace that connects clients (businesses seeking leaflet distribution) with distributors (individuals and agencies providing field distribution services). We act as the data controller for personal information processed through the Platform.

For any privacy-related enquiries, please contact us at privacy@marketize.biz.

Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data:

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name, and profile image when you register an account.
• Identity & Business Verification: For distributors, we may collect additional verification documents to confirm your identity and business legitimacy.
• Payment Information: Bank account details, card information, and billing address. Payment data is processed securely via Stripe and is never stored on our servers in full.
• Location Data (GPS): Real-time GPS coordinates captured during campaign execution by distributors using our mobile app. This data is shared with the commissioning client as proof of delivery.
• Campaign & Activity Data: Campaigns posted, proposals submitted, contracts created, messages exchanged, and geotagged delivery photos uploaded.
• Device & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and session duration, collected via server logs and analytics tools.
• Communications: Messages sent through our in-platform chat system between clients and distributors.
• Cookies & Tracking Data: See our Cookies section below for full details.

How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data to:

• Create and manage your account on the Platform.
• Match clients with suitable distributors based on location, service type, and coverage areas.
• Process payments, manage escrow balances, and release funds upon campaign completion.
• Provide GPS-tracked proof of delivery to commissioning clients.
• Facilitate real-time communication between clients and distributors via our in-platform chat.
• Send transactional notifications about campaigns, proposals, payments, and account activity.
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Service.
• Improve the Platform through analytics and user feedback.
• Comply with our legal obligations under UK law.

Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, we process your personal data on the following legal bases:

• Contract Performance: Processing necessary to fulfil your account registration, campaign management, and payment services.
• Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve the Platform, detect fraud, and ensure platform security, where such interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Legal Obligation: Where we are required to process data to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies, where we have obtained your explicit consent.

Data Sharing & Third Parties

We may share your data with the following parties:

• Other Platform Users: Your public profile, company name, ratings, and reviews are visible to other users. GPS tracking data and delivery photos are shared with the client who commissioned your campaign.
• Stripe: Our payment processor. Stripe handles all card and bank transactions. Their privacy policy governs their use of your payment data.
• Cloud Infrastructure: We use third-party hosting and cloud storage providers to operate the Platform securely.
• Analytics Providers: We may use tools such as Google Analytics to understand how users interact with the Platform.
• Legal & Regulatory Authorities: We will disclose data to law enforcement or regulatory bodies when required by law or to protect the rights and safety of users or the public.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

GPS Tracking & Location Data

Marketize collects real-time GPS location data from distributors during active campaign execution via our mobile application. This data is used exclusively to generate proof-of-delivery reports for the commissioning client and to verify campaign fulfilment.

Location tracking is only active when the distributor explicitly starts a campaign session within the app. Location data is not collected in the background outside of active sessions. GPS records and geotagged photos are retained for the duration necessary to resolve any disputes related to the campaign.

Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as necessary to provide you with our services. Specific retention periods are as follows:

• Account Data: Retained for the duration of your account and up to 2 years after account deletion, to comply with financial and legal obligations.
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years in accordance with UK financial regulations.
• GPS & Campaign Data: Retained for 1 year from campaign completion, or longer if required for active dispute resolution.
• Chat Messages: Retained for the duration of the associated contract plus 12 months.

Your Rights Under UK GDPR

As a data subject under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data, subject to our legal retention obligations.
• Right to Restrict Processing: Ask us to limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
• Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making: We do not make solely automated decisions that significantly affect you.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@marketize.biz. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Platform, remember your preferences, and analyse usage. Categories include:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Platform to function (e.g., authentication tokens, session cookies). These cannot be disabled.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings such as theme (light/dark mode) and language.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users navigate the Platform so we can improve it.

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

Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including HTTPS encryption, access controls, and regular security audits to protect your data against unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss. Payment data is processed by Stripe using PCI-DSS compliant infrastructure.

While we take all reasonable steps to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security and encourage you to use a strong password and keep your credentials confidential.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by email or via a prominent notice on the Platform prior to the change becoming effective. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

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