Privacy Policy
The Idea Post ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you use our website and related services (the "Service"). It should be read together with our Terms of Service.
Our platform is built for inventors and may be offered in connection with For Sale By Inventor and related businesses. Their separate policies may apply when you use their websites or purchase their services.
Information we collect
We collect information in the following categories, depending on how you use the Service:
- Account and profile data: such as name, email address, username, password (stored securely), and preferences you provide when you register or update your account.
- Idea and content data: text, images, video, embeds, and other materials you upload or submit for an idea page.
- Usage and device data: such as IP address, browser type, general location derived from IP, pages viewed, and timestamps, collected through logs and similar technologies.
- Communications: messages you send us (for example support email) and, where applicable, in-product messages subject to our rules and features.
- Payment data: when you purchase credits or paid features, our payment processor handles card and transaction details; we typically receive limited information (for example last four digits, status, and amount) rather than full card numbers.
How we use information
We use information to:
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Service (including hosting idea pages, authentication, and security).
- Process transactions and communicate about your account, purchases, and important service notices.
- Respond to inquiries and provide support.
- Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and technical issues.
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.
- Analyze usage in aggregate to understand how the Service is used and to develop new features.
We do not sell your personal information as a commodity. We may share data with service providers who process it on our behalf under contractual obligations (hosting, email delivery, analytics, payments), and when required by law or to protect rights and safety.
Cookies and similar technologies
We and our providers may use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies for session management, security, preferences, and analytics. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling some cookies may limit certain features. For industry opt-out resources for interest-based advertising (where applicable), see aboutads.info/choices.
SMS and phone
If we offer SMS or phone contact and you opt in, we will use your number only as described at the point of collection. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out of marketing SMS by following instructions in the message (for example replying STOP where supported). We do not sell SMS opt-in data or consent to third parties for their independent marketing.
Retention
We retain information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the Service, comply with law, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Idea content may remain in backups for a limited period after deletion.
Security
We implement technical and organizational measures appropriate to the nature of the information we process. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your rights and choices
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export personal information, or to object to or restrict certain processing. You may update some information in your account settings. For account deletion or other requests, use the tools we provide in the Service (such as account deletion in the portal) or contact us as described below.
Children
The Service is not directed to children under 13 (or any higher minimum age required by applicable law), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age without any consent required by law. If you are 13-17, you may use the Service only with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian, as described in our Terms of Service. If you believe we have collected personal information from a child in violation of this section, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps, including deletion where appropriate.
International users
If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other countries where we or our providers operate, which may have different data protection laws than your country.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy on this page and update the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review it periodically.
Contact
For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us using the contact method we publish on the Service. We will respond consistent with applicable law.