Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 29, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to Students Marketplace. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a safe, transparent experience on our platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use our website and services.

By using Students Marketplace, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Basic Profile Information

When you create an account on Students Marketplace, we collect the following basic profile information:

Full name
Email address
Educational institution name
Student status (undergraduate, graduate, etc.)
Profile picture (optional)
Phone number (optional)
General location (city/region)

1.2 Listing Information

When you create listings on our platform, we collect:

Product or service descriptions
Images of items for sale or trade
Pricing information
Category and condition details
Listing preferences and settings

1.3 Communication Data

To facilitate transactions and interactions between users, we process:

Messages sent through our chat system
Communication preferences
Transaction-related correspondence

1.4 Verification Data

To maintain a safe and trustworthy community, we may collect:

Student ID or institutional email for verification purposes
Educational institution confirmation
Identity verification documents (when required)

This verification data is used solely to confirm your student status and maintain platform integrity.

1.5 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain technical information, including:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device information
Pages visited and time spent on our platform
Referral sources

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 Platform Operations

Creating and managing your account
Enabling you to create, edit, and manage listings
Facilitating communication between buyers and sellers
Processing transactions and providing customer support

2.2 Verification and Safety

Verifying student status and institutional affiliation
Preventing fraud, spam, and abuse
Maintaining platform security and integrity
Enforcing our Terms of Service

2.3 Improvement and Communication

Improving our services and user experience
Sending important platform updates and notifications
Responding to your inquiries and support requests
Analyzing platform usage to enhance functionality

3. Chat Privacy and Communication

3.1 Message Privacy

Your messages are private between you and the intended recipient(s)
We do not read, monitor, or share your private messages except as outlined below
Messages are encrypted during transmission

3.2 Limited Access Circumstances

We may access chat messages only in the following limited circumstances:

When required by law or legal process
To investigate violations of our Terms of Service
To respond to user reports of harassment, fraud, or illegal activity
To protect the safety and rights of our users and the platform

3.3 Message Retention

Chat messages are stored securely on our servers
You can delete your messages at any time
Deleted messages are permanently removed from our active systems

4. Verification Data Usage

4.1 Purpose Limitation

Verification data (student IDs, institutional emails, identity documents) is used exclusively for:

Confirming your eligibility to use Students Marketplace
Verifying your student status
Preventing fraudulent accounts
Maintaining a trusted student community

4.2 Security Measures

Verification documents are stored securely with encryption
Access to verification data is strictly limited to authorized personnel
Verification data is never shared with other users or third parties
We retain verification data only as long as necessary

4.3 Verification Badge

Once verified, your profile may display a verification badge. This badge only indicates student verification and does not expose your verification documents to other users.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 We Do Not Sell Your Data

Students Marketplace will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. Your trust is paramount to us, and we are committed to keeping your data private.

5.2 Limited Sharing

We may share your information only in these specific circumstances:

With Other Users

Your public profile information (name, institution, profile picture) is visible to other users
Information in your listings is publicly visible on the platform
Your username and basic details are visible to users you communicate with

Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers (hosting, email services, analytics) who assist in operating our platform
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes

Legal Requirements

When required by law, court order, or government regulation
To protect the rights, property, or safety of Students Marketplace, our users, or the public
To enforce our Terms of Service or investigate potential violations

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity
You will be notified of any such change and given choices regarding your data

6. User Control Over Profile and Listings

6.1 Profile Management

You have complete control over your profile information:

Edit Profile: Update your personal information, profile picture, and preferences at any time
Privacy Settings: Control what information is visible to other users
Profile Visibility: Choose to make your profile public or limit visibility

6.2 Listing Control

You maintain full control over your listings:

Create and Edit: Add new listings or modify existing ones anytime
Delete Listings: Remove listings instantly when items are sold or no longer available
Listing Status: Mark items as available, pending, or sold

6.3 Account Deletion

You have the right to delete your account at any time:

Navigate to Account Settings and select “Delete Account”
Upon deletion, your profile and listings will be removed from public view
Some information may be retained for legal or operational purposes (e.g., transaction records, dispute resolution)
Deleted accounts cannot be recovered

6.4 Data Export

You can request a copy of your personal data:

Contact us at privacy@studentsmarketplace.com
We will provide your data in a portable format within 30 days

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

Encryption of data in transit and at rest
Secure authentication protocols
Regular security audits and updates
Limited employee access to personal data
Secure data storage infrastructure

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary:

Active Accounts: Data is retained while your account is active
Deleted Accounts: Most data is deleted within 30 days of account deletion
Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations
Transaction Records: Records of completed transactions may be retained for dispute resolution

9. Children’s Privacy

Students Marketplace is intended for students aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected data from someone under 18, we will delete it promptly.

10. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Keep you logged in
Remember your preferences
Analyze platform usage
Improve user experience

You can control cookie settings through your browser, though some features may not function properly without cookies.

11. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. International Data Transfers

If you access Students Marketplace from outside our primary operating region, your information may be transferred to and processed in other countries. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

13. Your Rights

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

Access: Request access to your personal data
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
Deletion: Request deletion of your data
Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
Objection: Object to certain processing of your data
Restriction: Request restriction of data processing

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@studentsmarketplace.com.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes:

We will update the “Last Updated” date
We will notify you via email or platform notification
Continued use of Students Marketplace after changes constitutes acceptance

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data:

Email: privacy@studentsmarketplace.com
Support: support@studentsmarketplace.com
Address: [Your Business Address]

We will respond to your inquiry within 10 business days.

Your privacy matters to us. We’re committed to maintaining a safe, transparent, and trustworthy platform for the student community.