Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Peernet. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy will inform you about how we handle your personal data when you visit our website and use our services, and tell you about your privacy rights.

Peernet ("we," "our," or "us") operates a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects borrowers and lenders. This privacy policy applies to all users of our platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect the following information when you register or use our services:

• Identity Data: First name, last name, date of birth, government-issued ID
• Contact Data: Email address, phone number, mailing address
• Financial Data: Bank account information, income details, credit history, transaction history
• Profile Data: Username, password, preferences, feedback, and survey responses
• Authentication Data: Social Security Number (for identity verification and credit checks)

2.2 Information We Automatically Collect

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, clicks, navigation paths
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address
• Cookie Data: Information from cookies and similar technologies

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Credit reporting agencies (credit scores and credit reports)
• Identity verification services
• Bank account verification services (e.g., Plaid)
• Fraud prevention services

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 To Provide Our Services

• Create and manage your account
• Process loan applications and funding requests
• Match borrowers with lenders
• Process payments and transfers
• Calculate your Peernet Score
• Communicate about transactions and account activity

3.2 For Verification and Security

• Verify your identity and prevent fraud
• Conduct credit checks and assess creditworthiness
• Monitor and prevent suspicious activity
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

3.3 To Improve Our Services

• Analyze usage patterns and user behavior
• Develop new features and improve existing ones
• Conduct research and analytics
• Personalize your experience

3.4 To Communicate With You

• Send transactional emails and notifications
• Provide customer support
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)
• Request feedback and conduct surveys

4. How We Share Your Information

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

4.1 With Other Users

When you create a loan request, certain information (such as loan amount, purpose, credit grade, and Peernet Score) may be visible to potential lenders. We do not share your full name, contact information, or Social Security Number with other users.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Payment processors
• Identity verification services
• Credit reporting agencies
• Cloud hosting providers
• Email and communication services
• Analytics providers

4.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Prevent fraud or illegal activity

4.4 Business Transfers

If Peernet is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

5. Data Security

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

• Encryption: We use SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit and AES-256 encryption for data at rest
• Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
• Authentication: Multi-factor authentication for sensitive actions
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats and vulnerabilities
• Regular Audits: Periodic security audits and penetration testing

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

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal requirements)
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Restrict Processing: Request limitation on how we use your data

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@peernet.app. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the platform to function properly
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our site
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

• Active Accounts: Data retained while your account is active
• Inactive Accounts: Data retained for 7 years after account closure (for regulatory compliance)
• Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years as required by financial regulations
• Marketing Data: Deleted when you unsubscribe or after 2 years of inactivity

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us: