Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Seedling ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform for pitch competitions ("the Service").

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

When you register for an account, we collect:

• Name and username
• Email address
• Password (encrypted and hashed)
• Profile photo (optional)
• Account role (Founder, Judge, or Admin)

2.2 Payment Information

Payment processing is handled by Stripe. We do not store your full credit card information. We collect:

• Stripe customer ID and payment intent IDs
• Stripe Connect account information (for prize payouts)
• Transaction history and amounts
• Payment status and timestamps

2.3 Submission Content

When you submit to a competition, we collect:

• Video files (uploaded to AWS S3)
• Pitch titles and descriptions
• Competition entries and timestamps
• Submission status and visibility preferences

2.4 Usage Data

We automatically collect certain information when you use the Service:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and actions taken
• Date and time of visits
• Referring URLs

2.5 Judging Data

If you serve as a judge, we collect your scores, feedback comments, and judging assignments.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the Service
• Process competition entries and payments
• Facilitate judging and score calculation
• Distribute prize payouts to winners
• Send email notifications about competitions and results
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents
• Analyze usage patterns to improve the Service
• Comply with legal obligations and resolve disputes
• Send administrative information, updates, and service announcements

4. Third-Party Services

4.1 Stripe

We use Stripe for payment processing and prize payouts. When you make a payment or connect a payout account, Stripe collects and processes your financial information according to their Privacy Policy. We do not have access to your full payment card details.

Learn more: Stripe Privacy Policy

4.2 Amazon Web Services (AWS S3)

Video submissions are stored securely on AWS S3. Videos are accessed via time-limited presigned URLs that expire after a set period. AWS maintains industry-standard security and privacy practices.

Learn more: AWS Privacy Notice

4.3 Analytics

We may use analytics services to understand how users interact with the Service. These services may collect information such as pages visited, time spent, and user actions.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 With Other Users

• Your username and profile photo are visible to other users
• Judges can view submissions they're assigned to review
• Public submissions are viewable by all authenticated users
• Competition results and leaderboards display usernames and scores

5.2 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf (payment processing, video hosting, email delivery). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, legal process, or governmental request, or to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Investigate fraud or security issues
• Enforce our Terms of Service

5.4 Business Transfers

If Seedling is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information:

• Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms
• Data is encrypted in transit using HTTPS/TLS
• Database access is restricted and monitored
• Video files are stored with access controls
• Payment processing is handled by PCI-compliant providers

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes described in this policy. Specifically:

• Account information: Until you delete your account, plus 30 days
• Financial records: 7 years (required for tax and legal compliance)
• Video submissions: Until you delete them, or until the competition ends plus 1 year
• Usage logs: 90 days

Even after deletion, some information may be retained in backup systems for disaster recovery purposes for up to 90 days.

8. Your Rights

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

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
• Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to certain processing activities
• Restriction: Request that we limit processing of your information

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@tryseedling.live. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain user sessions and improve the Service:

• Authentication cookies: Keep you logged in
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings
• Analytics cookies: Understand how you use the Service

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit functionality of the Service.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete it.

11. International Users

The Service is operated in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the US, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the US where data protection laws may differ from your jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the new policy on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: hello@tryseedling.live