Privacy Policy

1. Introduction & Scope

YachtBazar ("YachtBazar," "we," "us," or "our") operates yachtbazar.com (the "Site"), a US-based online marketplace and classifieds platform for boats and yachts offered for sale by owner. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how and when we share it, and the choices and rights you have.

YachtBazar connects buyers and boat owners so they can communicate and transact directly and independently. We are not a broker, dealer, or agent; we are not a party to any sale; and we do not handle payments, escrow, financing, titles, inspections, or shipping. We charge no commission and no listing fee. This Policy describes our privacy practices only and does not change that role.

By creating an account or otherwise using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information, depending on how you use the Site:

• Account data. When you register, we collect your email address and a password. Your password is never stored in plain text — we store only a secure, one-way cryptographic hash of it, so no one (including us) can read your actual password.
• Listing content & photos. When you post a listing, we collect the information and photos you choose to provide, such as the boat's make, model, year, length, location, description, asking price, and contact details you include. Listings are public by design (see "How We Share Information" below).
• Messages to other members. When you message another member through the Site, we process the content of those messages to deliver them. Message bodies are encrypted at rest. We retain messages so that you and the recipient can view your conversation history.
• Saved searches & favorites. If you save a search or mark a listing as a favorite, we store those preferences so we can show them to you and, where you opt in, send you saved-search alerts.
• Contact-form submissions. When you contact us through a form or by email, we collect the information you provide (such as your name, email address, and message) so we can respond and keep a record of the request.
• Technical & usage data. Like most websites, we automatically collect basic technical information when you use the Site — such as your IP address, browser and device type, and the pages you view. We use this limited data primarily for security, anti-abuse, fraud prevention, and to keep the Site working reliably.

3. Cookies & Local Storage

We use cookies and browser local storage for essential, first-party purposes only. Specifically, we use them to keep you signed in across pages and visits and to remember your favorites and preferences. We do not use cookies for third-party advertising or cross-site ad tracking.

Most browsers let you block or delete cookies and clear local storage through their settings. If you disable cookies, some features — such as staying logged in — may not work properly.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and provide the marketplace — including creating and managing your account, publishing your listings, enabling messaging between members, and powering saved searches and favorites;
• Send you transactional emails, such as a welcome message, password-reset emails, saved-search alerts, and notifications when another member sends you a message;
• Protect the Site and our users through security monitoring, abuse and fraud prevention, and enforcement of our terms;
• Understand how the Site is used so we can fix problems, improve features, and develop the service;
• Respond to your contact-form submissions, questions, and support requests; and
• Comply with applicable law and respond to lawful requests.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal data. We share information only in the limited circumstances described below:

• Service providers. We share information with trusted vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as email delivery and website hosting. These providers may process your information only to provide those services to us and are expected to protect it.
• Public listings. Listings you post — including the photos, description, location, price, and any contact details you include — are public by design and visible to anyone who uses the Site. Please do not include sensitive personal information in a listing that you do not want to be publicly visible. Separately, some listings on the Site are aggregated from already-public, by-owner sources (for example, public by-owner classifieds postings); that information was already publicly available at its source.
• Other members. When you message another member, the recipient receives your message and the identity (such as username) associated with it.
• Legal & safety disclosures. We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that doing so is required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of YachtBazar, our users, or the public, including to detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues.
• Business transfers. If YachtBazar is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy.

6. Email Preferences

You can manage the emails you receive from us:

• Saved-search alerts. You can stop saved-search alert emails at any time by deleting the relevant saved search in your account, by adjusting your notification settings, or by using the unsubscribe link included in those emails.
• Other notifications. Where available, you can adjust message and listing notification preferences in your account settings.
• Transactional emails. Certain emails are essential to operating your account — for example, password-reset messages and important account or security notices — and cannot be turned off while your account is active.

To change your preferences or if you need help, contact us at [contact email].

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Site, and afterward as needed to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent abuse, and enforce our agreements. When you delete your account, we delete or de-identify your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required or permitted by law to retain it. Note that aggregated listings drawn from already-public sources, and content you posted publicly, may persist at their original source outside our control.

8. Security

We take reasonable measures designed to protect your information. These include storing passwords only as secure one-way hashes, encrypting message bodies at rest, and serving the Site over HTTPS/TLS to protect data in transit. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please use a strong, unique password and keep your login credentials confidential.

9. Your Rights & Choices

You have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you;
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information — much of which you can update directly in your account; and
• Delete your account and associated personal information.

To request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, or to delete your account, contact us at [contact email]. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under applicable state privacy laws; we will honor those rights as required by law.

10. Children's Privacy

The Site is intended for adults 18 years of age or older and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us at [contact email] and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

11. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services that we do not own or control — for example, an external listing source or a service a member references. This Policy does not apply to those third parties, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. US-Based Processing

YachtBazar is based in the United States, and we process and store information in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, you understand that your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Site after an update takes effect means you accept the revised Policy.

14. Contact Us

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

• [Legal Entity Name]
• Email: [contact email]
• Mailing address: [Mailing Address], [STATE]