Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

PredatorMatch ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use our GPS-validated fishing tournament platform.

By using PredatorMatch, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Profile photo (optional)
• Account type (Organizer/Participant)

2.2 Location Data

For tournament validation, we collect:

• GPS coordinates of catch submissions
• Timestamp of location capture
• Device location accuracy information

ℹ️ Location data is only collected when you submit a catch. We do not track your location continuously.

2.3 Photo and Media

• Catch photos with embedded metadata
• Profile photos
• Tournament banners and logos

2.4 Tournament Data

• Tournament registrations and participation
• Catch submissions (species, weight, length)
• Leaderboard rankings and statistics
• Payment and transaction history

2.5 Technical Information

• IP address
• Device type and operating system
• Browser type and version
• Usage logs and analytics
• Crash reports and error logs

2.6 Communication Data

• Messages between Organizers and Participants
• Support ticket communications
• Email correspondence

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Service Delivery

• Create and manage your account
• Process tournament registrations and payments
• Validate catch submissions with GPS data
• Display leaderboards and rankings
• Facilitate communication between users

3.2 Platform Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve features
• Monitor system performance and reliability
• Debug technical issues and errors
• Develop new features based on user behavior

3.3 Communication

• Send tournament notifications and updates
• Deliver important service announcements
• Respond to support requests
• Send marketing emails (with your consent)

3.4 Security and Compliance

• Detect and prevent fraud
• Enforce Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect user safety and platform integrity

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Other Users

We share information publicly within tournaments:

• Your name, profile photo, and catch submissions are visible to tournament participants
• Leaderboard rankings are public within each tournament
• Organizers can see participant contact information for registered tournaments

4.2 With Service Providers

We share data with trusted third parties:

• AWS S3: Photo and media storage
• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal (when integrated)
• Email Services: Transactional and notification emails
• Google Analytics (GA4): Website analytics and user behavior tracking (anonymized data)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, legal process, or to:

• Comply with subpoenas or court orders
• Protect our rights and property
• Prevent fraud or illegal activities
• Ensure user safety

4.4 Business Transfers

If PredatorMatch is acquired or merged, your information may be transferred to the new entity. You will be notified of any such change.

5. Data Storage and Security

5.1 Storage Location

Your data is stored on secure servers within the European Union and on AWS S3 infrastructure with EU data residency.

5.2 Security Measures

• End-to-end HTTPS encryption
• Password hashing with industry-standard algorithms
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication systems
• Automated backups and disaster recovery

5.3 Data Retention

• Account data: Retained until account deletion
• Tournament data: Retained for 3 years after tournament completion
• Photos: Retained until manually deleted or account closure
• Logs and analytics: Retained for 12 months

6. Your Rights (GDPR Compliance)

Under GDPR, you have the following rights:

6.1 Access

Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you.

6.2 Rectification

Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

6.3 Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

Request deletion of your personal data. Note: Some data may be retained for legal compliance.

6.4 Data Portability

Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

6.5 Objection

Object to processing of your data for marketing purposes.

6.6 Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent for data processing at any time (where consent is the legal basis).

7. Cookies and Tracking

7.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors.

Data collected by Google Analytics includes:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• Browser and device information
• Geographic location (city/country level)
• Traffic source (how you found our site)
• Interactions with site features

Google Analytics uses cookies to track this information. You can opt-out of Google Analytics tracking by:

• Declining cookies in our cookie consent banner
• Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Adjusting your browser settings to block analytics cookies

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for authentication and core functionality (e.g., login sessions)
• Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics): Track usage patterns and website performance
• Preference Cookies: Remember your cookie consent choice and user preferences

7.3 Managing Cookies

You have full control over cookies:

• Cookie Banner: Accept or decline optional cookies when you first visit
• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing ones
• Do Not Track: We respect browser "Do Not Track" signals

8. Children's Privacy

PredatorMatch is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us immediately at privacy@predatormatch.com.

9. International Data Transfers

If you access PredatorMatch from outside the EU, your data may be transferred to and processed in the EU. We ensure adequate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated via email or platform notification. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates the most recent revision.

11. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us:

12. Supervisory Authority

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority under GDPR.