1. Introduction and Scope

Alliance for Contractors ("Alliance," "we," "us," or "our") operates as an intelligent contractor operating system providing a dual-sided marketplace connecting contractors and clients. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, process, and protect your personal information across our platform, websites, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our Services, including:

• Contractors: Licensed professionals seeking leads, tools, and business growth resources
• Clients: Property owners, homeowners, and businesses seeking contractor services
• Affiliates: Marketing partners promoting our Services through our affiliate program
• Visitors: Individuals browsing our website without creating an account

By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, business name, license information, professional credentials
• Profile Information: Business description, service areas, specializations, certifications, insurance information
• Financial Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Project Information: Project details, proposals, quotes, communications with other users
• Support Communications: Messages, emails, and other communications with our customer support team
• Marketing Preferences: Communication preferences, subscription settings, event registrations

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, mobile carrier
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click-through rates, search queries, feature usage patterns
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address, precise location if explicitly permitted
• Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies
• Analytics Data: User behavior patterns, conversion metrics, A/B testing results

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Social Media Integration: Information from social media platforms when you connect your accounts
• Business Verification Services: License verification, insurance confirmation, background check results
• Payment Processors: Transaction data, fraud prevention information
• Marketing Partners: Lead information, referral data, affiliate tracking information
• Data Enrichment Services: Business information, contact verification, industry classifications

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users protected by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contractual Necessity: Processing necessary to provide our Services, manage your account, process payments, and fulfill our contractual obligations
• Legitimate Interests: Improving our Services, fraud prevention, security measures, analytics, and business operations, balanced against your privacy rights
• Legal Compliance: Meeting regulatory requirements, tax obligations, and legal requests from authorities
• Consent: Marketing communications, optional features, and data processing activities requiring explicit consent
• Vital Interests: Protecting the safety and security of users in emergency situations

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 Service Provision and Management

• Creating and managing user accounts and profiles
• Facilitating connections between contractors and clients
• Processing payments and managing billing
• Providing customer support and technical assistance
• Delivering requested services and features

4.2 Platform Improvement and Analytics

• Analyzing usage patterns to improve user experience
• Conducting A/B testing and feature optimization
• Developing new products and services
• Performing market research and competitive analysis
• Generating aggregated, anonymized insights and reports

4.3 Communication and Marketing

• Sending transactional emails and service notifications
• Delivering marketing communications (with appropriate consent)
• Conducting surveys and collecting feedback
• Announcing product updates and new features
• Providing educational content and industry insights

4.4 Security and Compliance

• Detecting and preventing fraud, spam, and abuse
• Enforcing our Terms of Service and community guidelines
• Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Protecting intellectual property and proprietary information
• Maintaining platform security and data integrity

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 With Other Users

Contractor profiles, including business information, ratings, and reviews, are visible to clients seeking services. Project details and communications may be shared between matched contractors and clients.

5.2 Service Providers and Third Parties

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal, and other financial service providers for secure payment processing
• Cloud Infrastructure: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure for data hosting and processing
• Analytics Services: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Hotjar for usage analysis and optimization
• Communication Tools: SendGrid, Mailchimp, Twilio for email and SMS communications
• Customer Support: Zendesk, Intercom for help desk and support services
• Verification Services: Background check providers, license verification services

5.3 Legal Requirements and Protection

We may disclose information when required by law, legal process, or to protect our rights, users' safety, or the public interest. This includes responding to subpoenas, court orders, and law enforcement requests.

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of the transaction, subject to equivalent privacy protections.

6. Affiliate Program Data Practices

6.1 Affiliate Data Collection

• Affiliate partner contact and business information
• Referral tracking data and attribution information
• Commission calculations and payment details
• Performance metrics and analytics data
• Marketing material usage and compliance monitoring

6.2 Referral Tracking and Attribution

We use cookies, tracking pixels, and unique referral codes to track affiliate referrals and calculate commissions. This may involve sharing anonymized performance data with affiliate partners.

6.3 Commission Processing

Commission payments are processed through secure payment systems, and transaction records are maintained for tax reporting and compliance purposes.

7. Membership Tier Data Handling

7.1 Contractor Membership Tiers

• Foundation (Free): Basic profile information, limited analytics data
• Builder ($197/month): Enhanced profile data, lead interaction history, basic automation metrics
• Contractor X ($497/month): Comprehensive business analytics, advanced feature usage data, priority support interactions
• Alliance X and Above: Full business intelligence data, white-label usage metrics, dedicated account management records

7.2 Client Membership Tiers

• Community Pass (Free): Basic profile and search history
• Alliance Client+ ($29/month): Project history, contractor interactions, satisfaction ratings
• Elite Client: Premium service usage data, priority matching algorithms, concierge service records

8. AI and Automated Processing

8.1 AI-Powered Features

Our Services utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning for:

• Lead qualification and matching algorithms
• Automated content generation and recommendations
• Fraud detection and security monitoring
• Pricing optimization and market analysis
• Customer service chatbots and automated responses

8.2 Automated Decision-Making Rights

Under GDPR, you have the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing that significantly affect you. You may request human review of automated decisions by contacting our Data Protection Officer.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

9.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality, authentication, and security
• Performance Cookies: Analytics and site optimization, user behavior tracking
• Functional Cookies: User preferences, language settings, customization features
• Marketing Cookies: Advertising, retargeting, and affiliate tracking (with consent)

9.2 Cookie Management

You can manage cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner or browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit site functionality.

10. Data Retention and Deletion

10.1 Retention Periods

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including:

• Maintaining user accounts and transaction records
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
• Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements
• Analyzing platform performance and trends

10.2 Account Deletion

You may request account deletion at any time. Upon verification, we will delete or anonymize your data, subject to legal and operational retention obligations.

11. Your Privacy Rights

11.1 Access, Correction, and Deletion

You may access, update, or delete your personal information through your account settings or by contacting us directly.

11.2 Data Portability

Subject to applicable laws, you may request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

11.3 Objection and Restriction

You may object to or request restrictions on the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances.

11.4 Withdrawal of Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

12. International Data Transfers

We may transfer your personal data to countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ. In such cases, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Data Protection Agreements (DPAs)
• Compliance with adequacy decisions by the European Commission or other authorities

13. Data Security Measures

13.1 Technical and Organizational Safeguards

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Access controls and user authentication protocols
• Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• Secure software development and change management practices

13.2 User Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for restricting access to your account. Please notify us immediately of any suspected unauthorized activity.

14. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If we learn that we have collected data from a child without verifiable parental consent, we will delete such information promptly. Parents or guardians may contact us to review or request deletion of their child’s information.

15. State-Specific Privacy Rights

15.1 California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

California residents have the right to request:

• Information about categories and specific pieces of personal data collected
• Deletion of personal data (subject to exceptions)
• Opt-out of data "sales" as defined under the CCPA
• Non-discrimination for exercising their rights

To exercise these rights, please use our Contact Information.

15.2 Other States

We also comply with privacy laws in states such as Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah. Your rights may include access, correction, deletion, and objection to certain processing. Please consult your local laws or contact us for more details.

16. Third-Party Services and Integrations

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, platforms, or tools. These services operate independently and are governed by their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties, including:

• Integrated payment providers
• Embedded social media widgets
• Third-party analytics platforms
• Partner marketplaces and affiliate programs

We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party services you use in connection with our platform.

17. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable laws. Notification may occur via email, platform message, or public posting, depending on the circumstances and legal requirements.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you via email or prominent notice on our website. Continued use of our Services constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

19. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Data Protection Officer
Alliance for Contractors
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-ALLIANCE
Mail: 123 Privacy Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202

EU Representative
Email: [email protected]

UK Representative
Email: [email protected]

Response Time & Supervisory Authority Contacts

We aim to respond to all verified privacy requests within 30 days of receipt. If you are not satisfied with our response or believe we are unlawfully processing your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or supervisory authority.

Supervisory Authorities

• United States: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – www.ftc.gov
• European Union: You can find your local authority via the European Data Protection Board – edpb.europa.eu
• United Kingdom: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) – ico.org.uk
• Canada: Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada – priv.gc.ca