Privacy Policy

WorldPetConnect respects the privacy of its users.

This Privacy Policy describes how personal information is collected, used, shared and protected.

Controller

WorldPetConnect is the current operator of the Platform.

Privacy contact: info@worldpetconnect.com

Information We Collect

We may collect information that you provide directly, including:

• name;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• account credentials;
• profile information;
• country and city;
• business address;
• pet information;
• business-profile information;
• images;
• descriptions;
• messages;
• website and social-media links;
• support communications;
• verification documentation;
• information submitted in reports or appeals.

We may automatically collect technical information including IP address, device/browser information, login information, security logs and information necessary for the technical operation and protection of the Platform.

Payment Information

Payments may be handled by a Merchant of Record.

WorldPetConnect generally does not receive or store complete payment-card numbers where the payment is collected directly by the Merchant of Record.

We may receive payment-related information such as:

• transaction identifier;
• amount;
• currency;
• payment status;
• product/plan;
• refund status;
• dispute status;
• customer identifier;
• tax/payment metadata required for providing the purchased service.

Public Information

Information submitted to a public Post or business profile may be publicly accessible.

This may include pet information, photographs, business details, location information, website links and social-media links.

Users should not place sensitive personal information into public fields.

Verification Documents

Documents submitted for verification are used for verification, safety, fraud prevention and compliance purposes.

Verification documentation is not publicly displayed unless we explicitly state otherwise.

Access should be restricted to authorised personnel and service providers with a legitimate need to process it.

Messages

Messages exchanged through WorldPetConnect are shared with the intended recipient.

We may process messages where reasonably necessary to operate messaging, investigate abuse, prevent fraud, provide support, comply with law and maintain Platform security.

Why We Use Information

We process information to:

• create and manage accounts;
• provide Platform services;
• publish Posts;
• operate search and ranking;
• provide messaging;
• process or reconcile publishing purchases;
• provide customer support;
• verify eligible accounts;
• prevent fraud and abuse;
• moderate content;
• investigate reports;
• protect Platform security;
• comply with legal obligations;
• establish, exercise or defend legal claims;
• improve and maintain the Platform;
• send service communications;
• send product-news emails only where you have opted in.

If you opt in, WorldPetConnect may send occasional product-news emails. You can unsubscribe at any time from the email or from Account settings. Service emails about your account, listings, payments and security are not product news and continue while your account exists.

Legal Bases for EEA/UK Users

Where EU GDPR or UK GDPR applies, processing may rely on:

• performance of a contract;
• steps requested before entering into a contract;
• legitimate interests, including Platform security, fraud prevention, moderation and improvement;
• consent where required, including certain cookies and marketing;
• compliance with legal obligations;
• other lawful bases available under applicable law.

Sharing of Information

Information may be shared with providers necessary to operate WorldPetConnect, including:

• hosting and storage providers;
• email and communication providers;
• security and anti-fraud providers;
• mapping/location providers;
• analytics providers where used lawfully;
• customer-support providers;
• Merchant of Record/payment providers;
• professional advisers;
• verification providers;
• government authorities where legally required;
• buyers or successors in connection with a legitimate merger, incorporation, financing, acquisition, sale or restructuring.

We do not permit service providers to use personal information for unrelated purposes contrary to our contracts and applicable law.

Merchant of Record

The Merchant of Record processes payment-related personal information under its own applicable privacy notice and legal obligations.

Users should review the privacy information presented by the Merchant of Record during checkout.

International Transfers

WorldPetConnect and its providers may process information in countries different from the user's country.

Where applicable data-protection law requires safeguards for international transfers, WorldPetConnect will use recognised legal mechanisms such as adequacy decisions, applicable standard contractual clauses or other lawful transfer mechanisms.

Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary considering:

• the duration of the account;
• the purpose for which information was collected;
• Platform safety and fraud prevention;
• legal limitation periods;
• account disputes;
• payment and transaction record requirements;
• legal, tax or regulatory obligations;
• verification requirements;
• backup and security requirements.

Deletion of an account does not necessarily require immediate deletion of information that must or may lawfully be retained for fraud prevention, dispute handling, security, legal compliance or defence of legal claims.

Security

WorldPetConnect uses reasonable administrative, technical and organisational safeguards designed to protect personal information.

No internet service can guarantee absolute security.

Users are responsible for protecting account credentials.

Your Rights

Depending on applicable law, users may have rights to:

• access personal information;
• correct information;
• delete information;
• restrict processing;
• object to certain processing;
• receive portable data;
• withdraw consent;
• complain to an appropriate regulator;
• opt out of certain forms of marketing or data use.

GDPR rights include access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection, subject to applicable conditions and exceptions.

Requests may be made to info@worldpetconnect.com or through Contact support.

We may verify identity before fulfilling a request.

EU Representative

If WorldPetConnect is required to appoint an EU/EEA representative under Article 27 GDPR, the representative's details will be published on this page.

UK Representative

If WorldPetConnect is required to appoint a UK representative under UK GDPR, the representative's details will be published on this page.

Children

WorldPetConnect account and publishing services are intended for persons aged 18 or older.

We do not knowingly permit persons under 18 to create publishing accounts.

If we learn that an account was created contrary to this rule, we may terminate it and take appropriate steps concerning the data.

Business Transfer

If WorldPetConnect changes ownership, forms a new entity, reorganises or transfers substantially all Platform assets, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction subject to applicable law.

Where required, affected individuals will be notified.

Changes

This Privacy Policy may be updated.

Material changes will be communicated where required by law.