1. Introduction

Welcome to PixLancer's Privacy Policy. This document describes how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use our photo editing marketplace platform. By using PixLancer, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy, which should be read alongside our Terms of Service.

If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

When you register for an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Account Information: Username, email address, password (encrypted), full name, date of birth
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, portfolio links, display name
• Contact Information: Email address, phone number (optional)
• Payment Information: Stripe Customer ID, Stripe Connect Account ID, payment method identifiers (full card details are never stored on our servers)
• Identification Information: For editors receiving payments, identity verification data collected by Stripe during onboarding
• Communication Preferences: Email notification settings, marketing preferences

2.2 Content You Upload

• Photos: Original images uploaded for editing requests
• Edited Images: Completed edits submitted by editors
• Instructions & Descriptions: Text descriptions, edit instructions, comments, and feedback
• Messages: Communications between users through our messaging system

2.3 Usage & Technical Data

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on pages, edit request history
• Log Data: Access times, error logs, referring URLs, search queries
• Location Data: Approximate geographic location derived from IP address

2.4 Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to improve functionality, analyze usage, and maintain user sessions. See Section 11 for details.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

3.1 Provide and Improve Services

• Facilitate photo editing requests and submissions
• Match requesters with qualified editors
• Process payments and payouts securely
• Display user profiles and portfolios
• Maintain quality standards and ratings
• Improve platform functionality and user experience

3.2 Communication

• Send transactional emails (account creation, password resets, payment confirmations)
• Provide notifications about edit status, approvals, rejections, and messages
• Respond to support inquiries and feedback
• Send service updates and important announcements
• Send marketing communications (only with your consent; you can opt out anytime)

3.3 Security & Compliance

• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and policy violations
• Monitor content for prohibited material (see Section 4)
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
• Protect the rights, property, and safety of PixLancer, our users, and the public

3.4 Analytics & Personalization

• Analyze platform usage to improve features
• Understand user behavior and preferences
• Personalize content and recommendations
• Generate anonymized statistics and reports

4. Content Monitoring & Safety

4.1 Automated Content Scanning

We may use automated tools, including AI-based image analysis and content moderation services, to scan uploaded photos for:

• Nudity and sexually explicit content
• Violent or graphic imagery
• Child exploitation material (CSAM)
• Hate symbols and discriminatory content
• Copyright violations and deepfakes

4.2 Manual Content Review

Our moderation team may manually review flagged content, reported uploads, or randomly selected images to enforce our content policies. Reviewers are trained to handle sensitive content and operate under strict confidentiality agreements.

4.3 Legal Reporting Obligations

We are legally required to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and appropriate law enforcement agencies. If such content is detected, we will immediately report it and cooperate fully with authorities.

4.4 Account Action

Content that violates our policies will result in:

• Immediate removal of the content
• Permanent account termination without warning or refund
• IP address and device bans to prevent re-registration
• Reporting to law enforcement where applicable

4.5 Your Consent to Monitoring

By uploading content to PixLancer, you explicitly consent to content monitoring, scanning, and review for safety and policy enforcement purposes. If you do not consent, do not use our platform.

5. Payment Processing

5.1 Third-Party Payment Processors

All payments on PixLancer are processed through Stripe, a PCI-DSS compliant payment processor. We do not directly handle or store your full credit card numbers, bank account details, or other sensitive payment information.

5.2 Information Shared with Stripe

When you make or receive payments, we share:

• Your name and email address
• Transaction amounts and descriptions
• Stripe Customer ID or Stripe Connect Account ID (stored on our servers for linking purposes)

Stripe collects payment details directly from you. Their use of your information is governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy.

5.3 Platform Fees

PixLancer charges a $0.25 USD service fee per completed transaction, in addition to Stripe's payment processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). These fees are disclosed before payment.

5.4 Editor Payouts

Editors must complete Stripe Connect onboarding, which may require identity verification (e.g., government ID, tax information). This information is collected and stored by Stripe, not by PixLancer.

5.5 Payment Records

We retain transaction records (amounts, dates, parties involved) for accounting, tax compliance, dispute resolution, and fraud prevention.

6. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

6.1 Service Providers

We share data with trusted third-party vendors who help us operate the platform, including:

• Payment Processors: Stripe (for payment and payout processing)
• Cloud Hosting: Service providers that host our servers and databases
• Email Services: Providers that send transactional and notification emails
• Content Moderation Services: AI-based tools and human moderators for content review
• Analytics Providers: Services that help us understand platform usage

All vendors operate under strict confidentiality agreements and are prohibited from using your data for other purposes.

6.2 Legal Obligations

We may disclose your information to comply with:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
• Law enforcement requests or government investigations
• Legal obligations to report illegal content (e.g., CSAM)
• Protection of our legal rights, safety, or property

6.3 Business Transfers

If PixLancer is acquired, merged, or undergoes a business restructuring, your information may be transferred to the new entity. You will be notified of any such change.

6.4 Public Information

Certain information you provide is publicly visible, including:

• Your username, profile photo, and bio
• Public portfolio items (if you choose to share them)
• Editor ratings and reviews
• Edit request titles and descriptions (visible to editors in the queue)

6.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with other parties if you explicitly consent (e.g., integrations with third-party tools).

7. Data Storage & Retention

7.1 Where We Store Data

Your information is stored on secure servers located in [Your Server Location/Region, e.g., United States]. We use industry-standard security measures, including encryption, firewalls, and access controls.

7.2 How Long We Keep Data

• Account Data: Retained as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services
• Transaction Records: Retained for at least 7 years for tax and legal compliance
• Uploaded Content: Retained until you delete it or close your account (exceptions apply for content involved in disputes or violations)
• Deleted Content: May be retained in backups for up to 90 days before permanent deletion
• Violating Content: Content flagged for policy violations or illegal activity may be retained indefinitely for legal purposes

7.3 Account Deletion

You may request account deletion at any time by contacting us at privacy@pixlancer.com. Upon deletion:

• Your profile and public content will be removed
• Personal information will be anonymized or deleted (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Some data may be retained for fraud prevention, legal compliance, or dispute resolution

8. Your Privacy Rights

8.1 General Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal exceptions)
• Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or disable certain data processing

8.2 Rights for EU Residents (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to object to data processing
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
• Right to withdraw consent at any time

8.3 Rights for California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected and how it's used
• Right to request deletion of personal information
• Right to opt out of the "sale" of personal information (we do not sell personal data)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

8.4 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@pixlancer.com. We may ask for verification of your identity before processing requests.

9. Children's Privacy

PixLancer is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we discover that a user under 18 has provided personal information, we will delete it immediately.

If you believe a minor has used our services, please contact us at privacy@pixlancer.com.

10. Data Security

10.1 Security Measures

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

• HTTPS Encryption: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS
• Secure Hosting: Data stored on secure servers with access controls and firewalls
• Password Encryption: User passwords are hashed and never stored in plain text
• Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal data, granted only as needed
• Regular Audits: Security reviews and vulnerability assessments

10.2 No Absolute Security

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. Use our services at your own risk.

10.3 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. Choose a strong password, do not share your login details, and notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access.

11. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

11.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you, maintain your session, and improve your experience.

11.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for login, authentication, and core functionality
• Performance Cookies: Help us analyze usage and improve the platform
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences (e.g., language, theme)
• Advertising Cookies: (If applicable) Track interactions with ads

11.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features.

11.4 Do Not Track

Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. We do not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect users' privacy preferences.

12. Third-Party Links & Services

PixLancer may contain links to third-party websites, services, or integrations (e.g., Stripe, social media platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with.

13. International Data Transfers

PixLancer operates globally, and your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. These countries may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries where we operate.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or platform features. When we make material changes:

• We will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page
• We may notify you via email or in-app notification
• Continued use of PixLancer after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

15. Contact Us