Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

CreativeForge ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you use our platform. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Platform.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Account information (name, email address, password)
• Profile information (professional title, bio, skills, location, social links)
• Work experience and education history
• Portfolio projects and challenge submissions
• Communications with other users (messages)
• Resume/CV files you choose to upload
• Payment information (processed by Stripe; we do not store raw card data)

Information Collected Automatically

• Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, timestamps)
• Device information (operating system, screen size)
• Usage patterns and feature interactions
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 9)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Operate and improve the Platform
• Match creators with relevant challenges and agencies
• Facilitate payments and prize distributions
• Send service-related communications (account updates, notifications)
• Provide customer support
• Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Other platform users: Profile information you mark as public is visible to other users and visitors.
• Service providers: Third-party vendors who assist with operations (e.g., Supabase for database hosting, Stripe for payments, Resend for email).
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

5. Public Profile Information

Your profile, portfolio projects, challenge submissions, and community posts may be publicly visible to other users and search engines if you have not set your profile to private. You can control your profile visibility in your account settings. Certain information (such as your email address) is never publicly displayed.

6. Data Security

We implement technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include password hashing, encrypted connections (HTTPS), two-factor authentication (2FA), session management, and role-based access controls. However, no Internet transmission is 100% secure.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements).
• Portability: Export your data via Settings → Download My Data.
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise these rights, visit your account settings or contact us at privacy@creativeforge.app.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal data within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it by law.

9. Cookies

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and authentication state. We do not currently use third-party advertising or tracking cookies. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings, although disabling essential cookies may prevent you from logging in.

10. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

11. International Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We take appropriate safeguards to ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws. (Specific transfer mechanisms to be confirmed by legal counsel.)

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by updating the date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, by in-app notification. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at privacy@creativeforge.app.