Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TicketGate ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Platform.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number)
• Account credentials (username, password)
• Payment information (processed securely by third-party payment processors)
• Event organizer information (business name, tax ID if applicable)
• Profile information (bio, website, profile picture)

2.2 Transaction Information

When you make a purchase, we collect:

• Order details (event, ticket type, quantity, price)
• Purchase history and receipts
• Ticket information and QR codes

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our Platform:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, click patterns)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process ticket purchases and manage orders
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send transactional emails (order confirmations, tickets, receipts)
• Communicate important updates about events
• Improve and personalize your experience on the Platform
• Prevent fraud and enhance security
• Comply with legal obligations
• Analyze usage patterns and improve our services
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Event Organizers

When you purchase a ticket, we share your name, email address, and order details with the event organizer to facilitate event management and attendee communication.

4.2 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
• Email delivery (e.g., SendGrid)
• Analytics and monitoring (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Cloud hosting (e.g., Firebase, Vercel)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Court orders or legal processes
• Government requests
• Protection of our rights and property
• Public safety concerns

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication mechanisms
• Regular security audits and monitoring
• Access controls and role-based permissions
• Firestore security rules to protect database access

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze traffic and usage patterns
• Improve Platform performance
• Deliver personalized content

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit some Platform functionality.

7. Your Privacy Rights

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

7.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

7.2 Correction

You can update your account information at any time through your profile settings.

7.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.

7.4 Opt-Out

You can opt out of marketing emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or updating your preferences in your account settings.

7.5 Do Not Sell

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as:

• Your account is active
• Needed to provide you with services
• Required for legal, tax, or accounting purposes
• Necessary to resolve disputes or enforce agreements

After this period, we will securely delete or anonymize your information.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using our Platform, you consent to such transfers.

11. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on the Platform
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification for significant changes

13. Contact Us

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

14. Compliance

We are committed to compliance with applicable data protection regulations, including:

• Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) - South Africa
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - European Union
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) - California, USA