Privacy Policy

1. Information we collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, information created when you use the website, and limited technical information needed to operate, protect, and improve the service.

Account information

When you create or use an account, we may collect:

• Username.
• Email address.
• Password/authentication information.
• Login and session information.

We do not store your password in plain text.

Listing information

When you create or edit a listing, we may collect and display:

• Listing title.
• Description.
• Price and currency.
• Pickup location text.
• Map location coordinates.
• Photos of the board or equipment.
• Listing owner/account information.
• Listing creation and update dates.

Listing information is generally public because the purpose of the website is to help other users find available boards.

Messages and contact forms

When you contact us or message a listing owner, we may collect:

• Name.
• Email address.
• Message content.
• Related listing information.
• Date and time of the message.

If you message a listing owner, your message information may be sent to the owner so they can respond to you.

Reviews and user content

When you post a review or other content, we may collect and display:

• Review text.
• Username.
• Related listing.
• Date and time of posting.

Do not post personal information that you do not want other users to see.

Images and uploaded content

If you upload listing photos, we collect and store the image files and related file information. Photos may be publicly displayed on listings and map popups.

Location information

We collect pickup location information that you choose when creating or editing a listing. This may include:

• Pickup location text.
• Longitude and latitude coordinates selected on the map.

Do not use your private home address unless you are comfortable sharing it publicly. We recommend using safe public pickup points such as beaches, stations, marinas, shops, or landmarks.

Technical and usage information

We may automatically collect limited technical information, such as:

• IP address.
• Browser type.
• Device information.
• Pages visited.
• Referring URLs.
• Session/cookie information.
• Error logs.
• Security and anti-abuse data.

We use this information to operate, secure, debug, and improve the website.

Analytics information

We use Google Analytics in production to understand how visitors use the website and to improve the service. Google Analytics may collect information such as:

• Pages visited.
• Approximate location.
• Device and browser information.
• Referring websites.
• Interactions with the website.
• Cookie or similar identifiers.

Google Analytics may use cookies or similar technologies. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Depending on your location, we may ask for consent before using analytics cookies where legally required.

2. How we use information

We use personal information to:

• Create and manage user accounts.
• Allow users to create, edit, and display listings.
• Allow users to contact listing owners.
• Respond to support requests and feedback.
• Send service-related emails, such as contact messages and password reset emails.
• Display listings, reviews, maps, and photos.
• Prevent spam, abuse, fraud, and unauthorized access.
• Debug errors and improve website performance.
• Understand website usage through analytics.
• Enforce our Terms of Use and community rules.
• Comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information.

3. Information visible to other users

Some information is public or visible to other users by design.

Public listing information may include:

• Listing title.
• Board photos.
• Description.
• Price and currency.
• Pickup location.
• Map pin/location area.
• Owner username.
• Reviews.

If you send a message to a listing owner, the owner may receive your name, email address, message content, and related listing information.

Please be careful when sharing personal information with other users. Kitesurf Nation does not currently process payments or bookings, so users are responsible for arranging pickup, return, payment, deposit, and damage terms directly with each other.

4. Third-party service providers

We use trusted third-party service providers to operate, secure, monitor, and improve Kitesurf Nation. These providers may process personal information only as needed to provide services to us.

These providers may include categories such as:

• Website hosting providers.
• Database and data storage providers.
• Image storage and delivery providers.
• Map, location, and geocoding providers.
• Transactional email delivery providers.
• Error monitoring and debugging providers.
• Analytics and website measurement providers.
• Security, anti-spam, and abuse-prevention providers.

These providers may process information such as account information, listing information, uploaded photos, location data, message data, technical logs, cookies, identifiers, and usage information, depending on the service they provide.

We do not sell your personal information. We choose service providers that are appropriate for operating the website, but each provider may have its own privacy and security practices.

5. Email delivery

We use a third-party transactional email delivery provider to send service-related emails, such as password reset emails, contact form messages, listing owner messages, and administrative notices.

When we send emails through our email delivery provider, the provider may process information such as:

• Sender and recipient email addresses.
• Email subject.
• Email message content.
• Email metadata.
• Delivery status.
• Bounce or spam complaint information.

We use this information to deliver emails, troubleshoot email delivery, prevent abuse, and support users.

6. Analytics and cookies

We use Google Analytics in production to understand how visitors use Kitesurf Nation and to improve the website.

Google Analytics may use cookies or similar technologies to collect information such as:

• Pages visited.
• Approximate location.
• Device and browser information.
• Referring websites.
• Interactions with the website.
• Cookie or similar identifiers.

Google Analytics helps us understand things like which pages are visited, how users find the website, and whether errors or usability issues occur.

You can control or block cookies through your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some website features may not work properly.

Where legally required, we may request consent before using analytics cookies.

7. Email communications

We may send service-related emails, including:

• Password reset emails.
• Account-related emails.
• Contact form responses.
• Listing owner message notifications.
• Security or administrative notices.

We do not currently send marketing newsletters unless you separately agree to receive them.

8. Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to operate the website, provide support, prevent abuse, resolve disputes, and comply with legal obligations.

Examples:

• Account information is generally kept while your account is active.
• Listings, photos, and reviews may remain visible until deleted.
• Contact messages and support emails may be kept for a reasonable period for support, safety, and abuse-prevention purposes.
• Server logs, analytics data, error logs, and security records may be kept for a limited period for debugging, analytics, and security.
• Some backup copies may remain for a limited time after deletion.

You may request deletion of your account or personal information by contacting us at contact@kitesurfnation.com.

9. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information. However, no website, database, or internet transmission is completely secure.

You are responsible for keeping your password confidential and for using a strong, unique password.

10. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Request a copy of your information.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To make a request, contact us at: contact@kitesurfnation.com.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to a request.

11. International users

Kitesurf Nation may be used by people in different countries. Your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your country of residence, depending on our service providers.

By using Kitesurf Nation, you understand that your information may be transferred, stored, and processed internationally.

12. Children

Kitesurf Nation is not intended for children. You must be old enough to use online services and enter into arrangements with other users in your location.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, contact us at contact@kitesurfnation.com and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

13. User-to-user privacy

Kitesurf Nation allows users to contact each other. If you receive another user’s personal information through the website, you should use it only for the purpose of discussing the relevant listing, pickup, return, payment/deposit, or related arrangement.

You must not use another user’s personal information for spam, harassment, marketing, scraping, resale, or unrelated contact.

14. Public content

Listings, reviews, usernames, photos, and other content you post may be visible to other users and visitors. Search engines or third parties may copy or cache public content.

Please do not post sensitive personal information in public listing descriptions, reviews, or photos.

15. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” setting. Because there is no common industry standard for responding to Do Not Track signals, our website may not respond to those signals.

You can control cookies and analytics tracking through your browser settings and any cookie choices we provide.

16. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the “Last updated” date above.

If changes are significant, we may provide additional notice on the website or by email.

17. Contact us

If you have questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle personal information, contact us at:

Kitesurf Nation
Email: contact@kitesurfnation.com