Privacy Policy for Crafters Directory
Last Updated: January 4, 2026
Crafters Directory (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Platform”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your data when you use our website, services, or interact with other users.
By creating an account, browsing the site, contacting another user, or placing/posting a craft request, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information in three main ways:
A. Information You Provide Directly
- Account information: username, email address, password (hashed), profile picture, bio, location (city/country), craft specialties, website, Etsy and social media links.
- Listings and messages: craft specialties, descriptions, photos, and any personal details you choose to include.
- Communications with us: support tickets, feedback, or dispute submissions.
- Optional public profile details: real name, business name, website, or portfolio links.
B. Information Collected Automatically
- Device and log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time spent, and referring site.
- Cookies and similar technologies: for site functionality, analytics, security, and remembering preferences (see Cookie section below).
C. Information from Transactions and Interactions
- When you message another user, we store the conversation to provide the service and for safety/moderation purposes.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your data to:
- Create and maintain your account.
- Enable messaging, listings, searches, and matches between crafters and clients.
- Moderate content and enforce our Code of Conduct.
- Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, or security risks.
- Send important service notifications (e.g., new messages, policy updates).
- Improve the Platform through analytics and user feedback.
- Comply with legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal data to third parties.
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We share information only in these limited cases:
A. Between Users (With Your Control)
- Your public profile (username, bio, photos, location, etc.) is visible to all logged-in users.
- When you message someone or accept a project, you may exchange contact or shipping details directly. Once shared, the recipient can see and use that information.
B. Service Providers
- Trusted third-party providers who help us operate the site (e.g., cloud hosting, email delivery, analytics, payment processors for future premium features). They are bound by contract to protect your data.
C. Legal and Safety Reasons
- When required by law, subpoena, or government request.
- To protect the rights, property, or safe of Copia Crafts, our users, or the public.
- In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (you will be notified if ownership changes significantly).
4. Data Retention
- Account data is kept as long as your account is active.
- Messages and transaction-related data are retained for up to 5 years for dispute resolution and legal purposes.
- If you delete your account, we anonymize or delete your personal data within 30 days, except where we must keep it for legal or safety reasons (e.g., evidence of fraud).
5. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location (e.g., EU/UK under GDPR, California under CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate data.
- Request deletion of your data.
- Object to or restrict certain processing.
- Data portability.
- Withdraw consent (where processing is consent-based).
To exercise these rights, contact [email protected] with the subject “Privacy Request.”
We will respond within 30 days (or the timeframe required by applicable law).
You can also:
- Update or delete your profile information at any time.
- Delete individual messages or conversations.
- Turn off cookies in your browser (though some features may not work).
6. Security
We use industry-standard measures (encryption in transit and at rest, secure hosting, regular security audits) to protect your data. However, no system is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. International Data Transfers
The Platform is operated from [The United States]. If you are located outside this jurisdiction, your data will be transferred to and processed in that country. We use appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) when transferring data from the EU/UK.
8. Children
Our service is not intended for anyone under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we discover such data, we will delete it immediately.
9. Cookies and Tracking
We use essential cookies for login and security, functional cookies to remember preferences, and analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand usage. You can manage preferences via your browser settings or our cookie banner.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be announced via email or a prominent notice on the site. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
11. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or to exercise your privacy rights:
Email: [email protected]
Subject line: “Privacy Inquiry”
Thank you for trusting Copia Crafts with your information.
We’re committed to keeping our creative community safe and private.