Privacy Policy for FreelancerDB
Effective Date: 25 June 2025
Website: https://freelancerdb.com
Data Controller: FreelancerDB GmbH, Munich, Germany
FreelancerDB (“we,” “us,” or “our”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information when you visit or use our platform (https://freelancerdb.com), mobile applications, or related services (collectively, the “Platform”).
This policy is written in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), BDSG (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz – Germany’s Federal Data Protection Act), and other relevant international data protection laws. It applies to all users, including freelancers, clients, and visitors from around the world.
1. Who We Are
FreelancerDB GmbH
Business Address: [Insert Address], Munich, Germany
Email: privacy@freelancerdb.com
We are the data controller responsible for your personal data when you use our Platform.
2. What Information We Collect
We collect personal data to operate effectively and provide you with the best experience. The types of personal data we collect include:
a. Information You Provide Directly
Full name, username, and email address
Password (stored in hashed format)
Profile information (photo, bio, language, skills, rate, education, experience, portfolio)
Payment and invoicing details (IBAN, PayPal, Stripe, tax ID where applicable)
Communications via messages or support
Uploaded files (CVs, proposals, contracts)
Reviews and feedback
b. Information We Automatically Collect
IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
Log data including timestamps, visited pages, clicks, and referral URLs
Cookies, pixels, and similar tracking data (see Section 9)
c. Information from Third Parties
Social media logins (Google, LinkedIn): public profile info, verified email
Payment processors: transaction IDs, status (but not full payment card details)
Identity verification partners (for KYC/AML checks if required)
3. Legal Bases for Processing (Under GDPR)
We process your personal data under the following legal bases:
Consent – for email marketing, newsletter subscriptions
Contractual necessity – to provide services (e.g., account creation, job matching, payment processing)
Legal obligations – tax, financial, fraud prevention, KYC checks
Legitimate interests – analytics, customer service, security, platform improvement
4. How We Use Your Data
We use your data for the following purposes:
a. Service Delivery
To create and manage accounts
Match freelancers with projects or clients
Facilitate communication and collaboration
Handle payments and generate invoices
b. Platform Operations
Monitor activity to prevent abuse and fraud
Provide customer support and dispute resolution
Send notifications and service-related updates
c. Personalization and Marketing
Tailor job recommendations and search results
Send promotional emails (if you consent)
Display testimonials or success stories (with your consent)
d. Compliance and Security
Enforce Terms of Service and legal agreements
Comply with laws, tax requirements, and investigations
Prevent fraud, abuse, and spam
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal data. However, we may share it with the following parties under strict conditions:
a. Other Users
Freelancers: your profile (skills, reviews, work samples) is visible to clients
Clients: your posted jobs, company profile, and reviews are visible to freelancers
b. Service Providers and Processors
We use third-party vendors for:
Cloud hosting (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)
Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
Email and CRM (e.g., SendGrid, Mailchimp)
Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics)
Identity verification or background checks (where applicable)
All vendors are subject to strict data processing agreements under Article 28 GDPR.
c. Legal Authorities
We may disclose information if:
Required by court order or legal process
Necessary to prevent unlawful activity, protect rights, or ensure safety
d. Corporate Restructuring
If FreelancerDB is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to a successor entity. You will be notified beforehand.
6. International Data Transfers
As a global platform, some of our third-party service providers operate outside the European Economic Area (EEA). In such cases, we ensure adequate safeguards under GDPR such as:
EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
Binding Corporate Rules
Transfers to countries with an EU adequacy decision
You may request a copy of the applicable safeguards by emailing privacy@freelancerdb.com.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.
Active users: Data is retained while your account is open.
Inactive accounts: Data may be archived after 12 months of inactivity.
Legal retention: Financial and transaction data is stored for 6–10 years in compliance with German tax law (§147 AO).
You can delete your account at any time, and we will remove your data unless legally obligated to retain it.
8. Your Rights Under GDPR
As a data subject, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation:
Right of Access – Know what data we hold about you
Right to Rectification – Request corrections or updates
Right to Erasure – Ask us to delete your data (“right to be forgotten”)
Right to Restrict Processing – Temporarily limit how we use your data
Right to Data Portability – Request your data in a structured format
Right to Object – Opt out of processing based on legitimate interests
Right to Withdraw Consent – For any data use based on consent
To exercise these rights, email us at privacy@freelancerdb.com. We respond within one month as required by GDPR. You may also lodge a complaint with the Bavarian Data Protection Authority (BayLDA) or your local supervisory authority.
9. Cookies and Tracking
FreelancerDB uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your user experience. These include:
a. Essential Cookies – Required for login, security, and session handling
b. Analytical Cookies – For user behavior analysis (e.g., Google Analytics)
c. Marketing Cookies – For personalized offers and retargeting ads
You can manage your cookie preferences via our Cookie Banner or in your browser settings. Rejecting certain cookies may affect functionality.
10. Data Security
We take data protection seriously. Measures include:
SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
Hashing of passwords and access credentials
Firewalls and secure cloud hosting
Role-based access controls for internal systems
Regular security audits and penetration tests
However, no system is completely immune. Users are responsible for safeguarding their login credentials.
11. Children’s Privacy
FreelancerDB is intended for users aged 18 years or older. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we learn that data from a minor has been collected, we will promptly delete it.
12. Email Communication and Preferences
By creating an account, you may receive transactional emails related to your use of the Platform. You can also opt in to marketing communications.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in the footer or updating your profile preferences.
13. Third-Party Links
Our Platform may include links to third-party websites (e.g., payment processors, external job boards). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. Please review their privacy policies before sharing personal information.
14. Automated Decision-Making
We may use limited automated decision-making for:
Recommending freelancers or projects
Job matching based on skills and past performance
Fraud prevention and account flagging
These decisions do not have legal or significant impact and are subject to human review.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
In case of significant changes, we will notify you via email or platform notification. Continued use of the Platform after changes means you accept the revised policy.
16. Contact Information
If you have questions, requests, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
FreelancerDB GmbH
[Insert Office Address]
Munich, Germany
Email: privacy@freelancerdb.com
Data Protection Officer (DPO): [Insert Name if applicable]
Supervisory Authority: Bayerisches Landesamt für Datenschutzaufsicht (BayLDA)
Website: https://www.lda.bayern.de