Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Yard Deals is operated as a listing and discovery platform. We are not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers. For privacy requests, contact us via the email listed on the site or through Buyer Terms contact information.

2. Information we collect

• Account data (sellers): username, email, phone, WhatsApp (optional), password hash, verification status, listing content, and (if used) Google or Facebook sign-in identifiers.
• Technical data: IP address, browser type, device info, and approximate location (country/region/city) used to show relevant listings — via our hosting provider (e.g. Vercel).
• Usage data: page views on listings, admin actions, and security logs.
• Browser storage: theme preference, saved/favourite listings, and cookie consent choice (see Section 5).

We do not require buyer accounts to browse. When you contact a seller by phone or WhatsApp, you share information directly with that seller — not through our checkout.

3. How we use information

• Operate the marketplace, authenticate sellers, and display listings.
• Show region-relevant content (e.g. your province or city when detected).
• Prevent fraud, spam, and abuse; enforce our Terms.
• Send transactional emails (verification, password reset) — CASL-compliant service messages.
• Improve the site and fix errors.

We do not sell your personal information to advertisers or data brokers.

4. Legal basis & your rights (PIPEDA)

We collect information with your consent (account signup, cookie banner) or where necessary to provide the service and protect legitimate interests (security, fraud prevention). You may:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Withdraw consent where applicable (may limit features).
• File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

5. Cookies & local storage

Yard Deals uses browser localStorage (not traditional HTTP cookies for tracking). Keys may include:

• yd-cookie-consent — your cookie/storage consent choice (all or essential).
• mp-theme — light or dark display preference.
• mp-favorites — listing IDs you saved on this device.

How to check: In Chrome/Edge/Firefox, press F12 → Application (or Storage) → Local Storage → select https://www.yarddeals.ca. You can delete keys to reset preferences.

Essential storage is required for basic functionality. We do not use third-party advertising cookies at this time.

6. Sharing & service providers

We may share data with:

• Hosting and infrastructure providers (e.g. Vercel) to run the website.
• Email delivery providers for verification and account messages.
• Law enforcement when required by valid legal process.

Sellers receive buyer enquiries directly — we are not responsible for how sellers use that data.

7. Retention

Seller accounts and listings are retained while active. Inactive seller accounts may be removed after extended inactivity (see Seller Terms). Security logs are kept for a limited period. You may request deletion of your seller account subject to legal and operational requirements.

8. Security

We use industry-standard measures (HTTPS, hashed passwords, access controls). No system is 100% secure — use strong passwords and report suspicious activity.

9. Delete my data

You may request deletion of your Yard Deals seller account and related personal data we hold (for example account profile, contact details we store, and listings tied to your account).

• Email yarddeals.ca@gmail.com from the email address on your seller account.
• Use the subject line: Delete my account.
• Include your username (if you know it) so we can locate the account quickly.

We will process verified requests within a reasonable time, subject to legal, security, and operational requirements (for example fraud prevention logs may be retained for a limited period). If you signed in with Google or Facebook, deleting your Yard Deals account does not delete your Google or Facebook account — only the data we store for Yard Deals.

Meta / Facebook data deletion callback URL: https://www.yarddeals.ca/privacy#delete-my-data.

10. Children

Yard Deals is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.

11. International visitors

The marketplace is intended for users in Canada. Geo-detection may redirect non-Canadian visitors. Data is processed in Canada and/or the United States depending on hosting provider locations.

12. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Yard Deals and its operators are not liable for privacy practices of independent sellers, offline meetings, or third-party apps (WhatsApp, etc.) used to communicate. See also our Buyer Terms, Seller Terms, and Copyright & IP.

13. Changes

We may update this policy. The "Last updated" date will change. Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance.