Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

YardHire operates an online marketplace that helps customers find and connect with independent tradespeople and service providers in Jamaica.

For questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact:

• YardHire
• Email: support@yardhire.app
• Website: yardhire.app

2. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use YardHire.

A. Account Information

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

• full name;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• account type;
• parish or general service location;
• profile photograph;
• login and account information; and
• other information you provide when creating or updating your account.

B. Service Provider Information

If you register as a Service Provider, we may also collect:

• business or trading name;
• services offered;
• service areas;
• business description;
• photographs of previous work;
• profile and cover photographs;
• experience information;
• availability;
• insurance information and documents;
• qualification or certification documents;
• government-issued identification;
• verification status; and
• other information you choose to include in your profile.

Some of this information may be displayed publicly on your YardHire profile. Sensitive verification documents, such as copies of government-issued identification, will not be displayed publicly.

C. Identity and Verification Information

YardHire may request government-issued photo identification and other information to verify a Service Provider's identity and help prevent fraud or misuse of the Platform.

We may record information relating to the outcome and status of verification checks.

Identity documents are used for verification, fraud prevention, security and related Platform purposes.

Providing a document to YardHire does not necessarily mean that YardHire has independently authenticated that document with the organisation that issued it.

D. Insurance and Qualification Documents

Service Providers may provide insurance certificates, qualification certificates or similar documentation.

We may collect information contained in these documents, including:

• provider name;
• qualification or certificate details;
• issuing organisation;
• policy or certificate dates;
• insurance provider;
• policy expiry dates; and
• other information appearing on the submitted document.

These documents may be reviewed for the purpose of operating YardHire's profile and document-status features.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, YardHire does not independently authenticate every document with the insurer, institution or organisation that issued it.

E. Job and Quote Information

When a Customer uses YardHire to find or contact a Service Provider, we may collect information such as:

• type of work required;
• description of the job;
• location of the job;
• preferred dates or times;
• photographs or files uploaded in connection with the job;
• quote requests;
• appointment information; and
• information exchanged in relation to the proposed work.

Users should avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information in job descriptions, photographs or messages.

F. Messages and Communications

Where YardHire provides messaging or communication features, we may process messages and related information exchanged through the Platform.

We may access or review communications where reasonably necessary to:

• operate the messaging service;
• investigate complaints;
• prevent fraud or misuse;
• enforce our Terms & Conditions;
• protect users; or
• comply with legal obligations.

G. Reviews

When you submit a review, we may collect:

• the review and rating;
• information about the relevant Service Provider or job;
• the identity/account associated with the review; and
• information necessary to investigate whether a review is genuine.

Reviews and ratings may be displayed publicly on Service Provider profiles.

H. Technical Information

When you access YardHire, we may automatically collect certain technical information, such as:

• IP address;
• device type;
• browser type;
• operating system;
• pages or features used;
• dates and times of access;
• approximate location derived from technical information;
• referral information; and
• diagnostic, security and performance information.

We may use cookies and similar technologies to collect some of this information.

3. How We Use Personal Information

We may use personal information to:

• create and manage accounts;
• operate and improve YardHire;
• connect Customers with Service Providers;
• display Service Provider profiles;
• process quote and job requests;
• provide messaging and communication features;
• perform identity and document-review processes;
• display appropriate verification or document-status badges;
• administer reviews and ratings;
• provide customer support;
• communicate about accounts, requests and Platform activity;
• detect and prevent fraud, misuse and security incidents;
• investigate complaints and disputes;
• enforce our Terms & Conditions;
• improve the functionality and user experience of YardHire;
• comply with applicable laws and legal obligations; and
• protect YardHire, its users and others.

4. Legal Basis and Fair Processing

YardHire will process personal information only where there is an appropriate lawful basis or other legal justification under applicable data protection law.

Depending on the circumstances, processing may be necessary to provide the services requested by a user, comply with legal obligations, pursue legitimate business interests, protect the Platform and its users, or be based on the user's consent where consent is required.

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw that consent subject to applicable law.

5. Information Displayed Publicly

Service Provider profiles are designed to be viewed by other YardHire users and potentially by visitors to the Platform.

Information displayed publicly may include:

• provider or business name;
• profile photograph;
• service categories;
• general service area;
• business description;
• work photographs;
• experience;
• ratings and reviews;
• profile badges; and
• certain verification or document-status information.

We do not intend to publicly display copies of government-issued identification, insurance certificates or qualification certificates unless explicitly stated and appropriately authorised.

Service Providers should not place private or sensitive information in public profile fields or photographs.

6. How We Share Information

We do not sell personal information.

We may share personal information where reasonably necessary with:

• Customers or Service Providers where necessary to facilitate use of the Platform;
• companies that provide hosting, email, security, analytics, identity verification or other technology services to YardHire;
• professional advisers, including lawyers and accountants;
• regulators, law enforcement agencies, courts or other authorities where required or permitted by law;
• parties involved in investigating fraud, safety concerns or misuse of the Platform; and
• a purchaser, investor or successor organisation in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring or sale of all or part of YardHire's business.

Service providers processing information on our behalf are expected to handle that information appropriately and only for authorised purposes.

7. International Processing

Some technology providers used by YardHire may store or process information outside Jamaica.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, YardHire will take appropriate steps required by applicable law to protect the information.

8. How Long We Keep Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including providing the Platform, maintaining appropriate business records, resolving disputes, preventing fraud and complying with legal obligations.

Different categories of information may be retained for different periods.

Where an account is closed, some information may continue to be retained where reasonably necessary or legally required.

Verification and security records may also be retained for an appropriate period after an account has been closed to help prevent fraud or repeated misuse of the Platform.

9. Security

YardHire takes reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

However, no website, database or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users are responsible for keeping their passwords and account credentials confidential and should notify YardHire promptly if they suspect unauthorised access to their account.

10. Cookies and Similar Technologies

YardHire may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• keep users signed in;
• remember preferences;
• maintain Platform security;
• understand how the Platform is used;
• diagnose technical issues; and
• improve functionality and performance.

Where required by applicable law, users will be provided with appropriate choices regarding non-essential cookies.

Further information may be provided through a separate Cookie Notice or cookie settings feature.

11. Marketing Communications

Where permitted, YardHire may send users information about Platform features, services, updates or promotions.

Where consent is required for marketing communications, YardHire will obtain it.

Users may unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe option provided in those communications or by contacting YardHire.

Essential service communications, such as security alerts, account notices and information relating to active requests, may still be sent where necessary.

12. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including rights to:

• request access to personal information held about you;
• request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
• request deletion or erasure in certain circumstances;
• object to or restrict certain processing;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and
• make a complaint concerning the handling of your personal information.

Some rights may be subject to legal exceptions or limitations.

To make a privacy request, contact: support@yardhire.app

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

13. Children's Privacy

YardHire is intended for adults aged 18 and over.

We do not knowingly permit children under 18 to create accounts as Customers or Service Providers.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child contrary to this policy, we may take appropriate steps to delete it.

14. Third-Party Websites and Services

YardHire may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties.

YardHire is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites or services.

Users should review the privacy policies of those services before providing personal information.

15. Fraud, Safety and Legal Requests

YardHire may use or disclose information where reasonably necessary to investigate suspected fraud, forged documentation, misuse, security incidents, threats to users or breaches of our Terms & Conditions.

We may also preserve or disclose information where required by law, court order or a lawful request from an appropriate authority.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to YardHire, our technology, business practices or legal requirements.

The latest version will be published on the Platform with the date it was last updated.

Where appropriate, we may provide additional notice of material changes.

17. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal information or a privacy request, please contact:

• YardHire
• Email: support@yardhire.app
• Website: yardhire.app