Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal information you provide: When you register, subscribe, or contact us, we collect information such as your name, email address, company name, phone number, billing address, and payment details (processed securely by our payment provider).

Automatically collected information: When you access the platform, we automatically collect your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, pages visited, time spent, referring URLs, device identifiers, and cookie data.

Trade and business data: ShipScout aggregates publicly available trade records sourced from government customs authorities, port agencies, and official trade organizations. This data relates to import/export transactions and does not include private personal data beyond what appears in public trade records.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the ShipScout platform and its features
• Process transactions and manage your subscription account
• Improve platform performance, features, and user experience
• Send transactional communications (receipts, account alerts, service updates)
• Send marketing communications where you have consented (you may opt out at any time)
• Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, abuse, or unauthorized access
• Comply with applicable legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Respond to customer support inquiries and feedback
• Analyze aggregated, anonymized usage patterns to improve our services

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in these circumstances:

• Service providers: Cloud hosting, payment processors, analytics providers, and customer support tools that process data on our behalf under strict data processing agreements
• Legal disclosures: When required by law, court order, or valid governmental authority, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of ShipScout, our users, or the public
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before such transfer and before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy
• With your consent: For any other purpose with your explicit prior consent

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational security measures to protect your information:

• All data in transit is encrypted using SSL/TLS
• Data at rest is encrypted using AES-256 or equivalent standards
• Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis
• We conduct regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessments
• Regular automated backups with tested recovery procedures

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. When you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 90 days, except where retention is required by law (e.g., financial records, tax compliance) or to resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

Aggregated and anonymized data derived from your usage may be retained indefinitely for analytical purposes, as it cannot be used to identify you.

6. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Update: Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Delete: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time via the unsubscribe link in any email
• Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on your consent, withdraw it at any time without affecting prior processing
• Data portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate and improve our platform:

• Essential cookies: Required for the platform to function (authentication, session management). Cannot be disabled.
• Performance cookies: Collect anonymous data on how visitors use the site to help us improve performance and reliability.
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences (language, display settings) to personalize your experience.
• Marketing cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign effectiveness. You can opt out via your browser settings.

You can control or disable non-essential cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

8. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites, tools, or services. These sites operate under their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.

9. International Data Transfers

ShipScout operates globally and your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. Where we transfer personal data internationally, we apply appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by relevant data protection authorities to ensure your data receives an adequate level of protection.

10. Children's Privacy

ShipScout is a professional business intelligence platform intended for commercial users. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If we discover that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will promptly delete it. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us at [email protected].

11. California (CCPA) Rights

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you additional rights:

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected, the sources, the business purpose, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell personal information. If this changes, you will have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information we have collected, subject to certain exceptions
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA rights

To submit a CCPA request, contact us at [email protected] with the subject line "CCPA Request". We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

12. GDPR Rights (EEA Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right of access: Obtain confirmation of whether we process your data and access to that data
• Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten"): Request deletion under certain conditions
• Right to restriction: Request that we limit the processing of your data in certain circumstances
• Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format
• Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
• Right to lodge a complaint: Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

Our legal bases for processing include: performance of a contract (to provide the service), legitimate interests (fraud prevention, platform improvement), and consent (marketing). To exercise your GDPR rights, contact [email protected].

13. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. For material changes, we will provide prominent notice, by email to your registered address or by a notice on the platform, at least 14 days before the change takes effect.

The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

14. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

We are committed to resolving privacy-related questions promptly and transparently.