Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

SeaConnect ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This Privacy Policy details how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you utilize our maritime ecosystem platform, which includes free operational tools (e.g., HR Management, Route Optimization) and our secure B2B Marketplace. By accessing or using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Platform, including:

• Personal Identification Data: Collected during registration, including full name, email address, company name, job title, and user type (e.g., Ship Owner, Captain, Supplier, Broker).
• Maritime & Operational Data: Details related to your operations entered into our tools, such as vessel specifications (IMO numbers, flag, tonnage), crew manifests, maintenance logs, and optimized route calculations.
• Transaction Data: Information related to deals and transactions conducted on the Marketplace, including offer details, payment confirmations, and invoicing data (managed securely via third-party Escrow providers).
• Usage Data: Information about how you access and use the Platform, including IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent, and performance metrics related to our tools.
• Communication Data: Records of communications, including emails and chat logs related to support inquiries or Marketplace discussions.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

We process your Personal Data only when we have a legal basis to do so, which primarily includes:

• Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary for the performance of the contract (Terms of Service) between you and SeaConnect (e.g., providing access to tools, facilitating Marketplace transactions).
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (e.g., improving services, security, preventing fraud), provided your rights do not override these interests.
• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with relevant legal or regulatory obligations (e.g., maritime laws, anti-money laundering regulations).
• Consent: Where applicable, you have given explicit consent for specific processing activities (e.g., marketing communications).

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for various purposes, including:

• To **Provide and Maintain** the Platform and its functionality (e.g., running the route optimization tool, displaying vessel details).
• To **Facilitate Secure Marketplace Transactions**, including connecting buyers and sellers and managing Escrow processes through trusted partners.
• To **Improve** our tools and Platform by analyzing usage data and operational metrics.
• To **Communicate** with you, including sending service updates, security alerts, and marketing materials (if consented).
• To **Ensure Security** and prevent fraud, as well as to verify user identity.
• To **Comply** with all applicable maritime, trade, and regulatory standards (e.g., IMO, GDPR).

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We only share your data with the following categories of third parties and under strict conditions:

• Marketplace Counterparties: When you engage in a deal, relevant transaction data is shared between the buyer and seller to fulfill the service or order.
• Payment & Escrow Providers: Data necessary to process payments and secure transactions is shared with compliant third-party payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or specialized maritime finance services).
• Service Providers: We use third-party companies for hosting, data analysis, email delivery, and customer support. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or regulatory inquiry).
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before your data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

6. Data Security and Retention

• Security Measures: We employ industry-standard security measures, including SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication, secure server hosting, and regular security audits, to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. All Escrow transactions are protected by the security policies of the third-party providers.
• Data Retention: We retain Personal Data only for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, or for as long as required by law (e.g., commercial or maritime record-keeping requirements). Registration data is retained while your account is active. Transaction records are kept for a minimum of seven (7) years for compliance purposes.

7. Your Data Protection Rights

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

• Right of Access: The right to request copies of your Personal Data.
• Right to Rectification: The right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Right to Erasure ('Right to be Forgotten'): The right to request that we erase your Personal Data, under certain conditions.
• Right to Restrict Processing: The right to request that we restrict the processing of your Personal Data, under certain conditions.
• Right to Object to Processing: The right to object to our processing of your Personal Data, under certain conditions (e.g., direct marketing).
• Right to Data Portability: The right to request that we transfer the data we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact details provided in Section 10.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our Platform and hold certain information. Cookies are files with a small amount of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier.

• Necessary Cookies: Essential for the Platform's operation (e.g., maintaining your login session, security).
• Performance Cookies: Used to analyze how visitors use our Platform (e.g., Google Analytics) and improve performance.
• Functionality Cookies: Used to remember your preferences and settings (e.g., user interface customizations).

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service.

9. Other Key Policies

9.1. Children's Privacy

Our Platform is not directed to individuals under the age of 18 ("Children"). We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 18. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your Child has provided us with Personal Data, please contact us.

9.2. International Data Transfer

Your information, including Personal Data, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. By submitting your Personal Data, you agree to this transfer, storage, and processing.