Privacy Policy

1. Scope

This Policy applies to TheBest.Food and its related leaderboard and checkout services. It does not govern websites, stores or services linked from listings. Those businesses control their own privacy practices.

2. Information we collect

Information you provide

• Listing information: business or product name, URL, category, description, image, bid amount and contact details submitted for administration.
• Transaction information: payment status, amount, currency, processor identifiers, timestamps, billing country and limited payment metadata. Stripe processes card details; we do not receive or store full card numbers or security codes.
• Communications: messages, complaints, support requests and attachments you send us.

Information collected automatically

• Device and network data such as IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL and approximate location derived from IP.
• Usage data such as pages viewed, buttons used, listing impressions, outbound clicks, timestamps and error logs.
• Cookies and similar technologies needed for security, preferences, analytics and service operation.

3. How we use information

• Operate, rank, display and maintain listings.
• Process payments and reconcile transactions.
• Measure traffic, outbound clicks and service performance.
• Prevent fraud, chargebacks, abuse, manipulation and security incidents.
• Moderate content and enforce the Rules and Terms.
• Respond to support, legal and intellectual-property requests.
• Improve and promote the service and develop new features.
• Comply with tax, accounting, sanctions, court orders and other legal obligations.

4. How we disclose information

• Publicly: listing content, destination URL, rank, category, bid total, click count and related activity are public by design.
• Service providers: hosting, storage, analytics, fraud prevention, email, customer support and payment vendors receive information needed to perform services for us.
• Legal and safety: we may disclose information to comply with law, enforce agreements, respond to lawful requests or protect rights, safety and service integrity.
• Business transfers: information may transfer as part of a merger, financing, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy or sale.
• With direction or consent: we may disclose information when you direct us or provide consent.

We do not sell personal information for money or use it for cross-context behavioral advertising. If those practices change, we will update this Policy and provide legally required choices first.

5. Cookies and analytics

We use essential technologies for checkout, security, load balancing and preferences. We may use privacy-oriented analytics to understand visits and outbound clicks. Browser settings can block some cookies, but doing so may prevent portions of the service from working. We currently do not respond to legacy “Do Not Track” signals. Where required, we will recognize applicable browser-based opt-out preference signals for covered processing.

6. Retention

We retain public listing data while active and as needed for historical leaderboards. Transaction, fraud-prevention, tax and accounting records may be retained for at least seven years or longer when legally necessary. Server logs are generally retained for shorter operational periods. We may retain information longer to resolve disputes, enforce agreements, comply with law or preserve security. We delete or de-identify information when no longer reasonably needed.

7. Your choices and privacy rights

Depending on the law that applies to you, you may request access to, correction of, deletion of, restriction of or objection to processing of personal information associated with you, and may request a portable copy. You may also withdraw consent where processing relies on consent and complain to a competent data-protection authority. Send requests to support@thebest.food. We may verify your identity and authority before responding and will not discriminate against you for exercising applicable rights.

Some information cannot be deleted when needed to complete transactions, maintain public bid history, prevent fraud, comply with law or establish legal claims. Removing a public listing does not automatically erase transaction records.

8. Security

We use administrative, technical and organizational safeguards designed to protect information. No internet service or storage system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children

The service is intended for businesses and adults and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Contact us if you believe a child submitted personal information.

10. International processing

The service is operated from Germany and is available internationally. Information may be processed in Germany, the United States and other countries where our providers operate. Where required, we rely on recognized transfer mechanisms and safeguards for international data transfers. Those locations may have different privacy laws than your jurisdiction.

11. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy as the service or law changes. We will post the revised version with a new effective date and provide additional notice when legally required.

12. Contact

All privacy questions, rights requests and legal notices: support@thebest.food