BizGenie

Privacy Policy

Section 1: Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how BizGenie (“we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information when you access or use the platform. By using the platform, you consent to the terms of this policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the platform.

BizGenie is a digital platform developed by CRUX International to facilitate professional and skilled service engagements between clients and freelancers/service providers globally. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Section 2: Definitions

To avoid ambiguity, the terms used in this Privacy Policy carry the same meanings as those defined in Section 2 of our Terms & Conditions, unless stated otherwise. In addition, the following apply:

“Personal Information” means any information that can identify an individual, directly or indirectly, such as name, contact details, payment information, or device identifiers.
“Sensitive Information” includes data such as government-issued IDs, tax or banking details, and other information classified as sensitive under applicable laws.
“Data Controller” means the entity that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data (CRUX International for BizGenie).
“Data Processor” refers to any third-party entity authorized by BizGenie to process personal information on our behalf.

Section 3: Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

Name, email address, and contact details
Profile information (skills, portfolio, availability)
Payment-related details (bank account, tax ID)
Identity verification documents (if applicable)
Communications with clients or other users
Content submitted via contracts, bids, messages, or support

3.2 Automatically Collected Information

IP address, browser type, device ID, language
Usage data (e.g., pages visited, time spent)
Log data and cookies (session cookies, auth tokens)

3.3 Information from Third Parties

Identity verification providers
Payment processors
Analytics tools
Public databases or social media (where legally allowed)

We do not knowingly collect data from individuals under 18.

Section 4: How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information solely for the purpose of operating, improving, and protecting the BizGenie platform and ensuring a secure, trustworthy environment for all users. Specifically, your information may be used for the following:

4.1 Service Provision

To create and maintain your user account
To match Freelancers/Service Providers with Clients
To facilitate project posting, bidding, collaboration, and communication
To manage contracts, payments, and service fees

4.2 Verification and Compliance

To verify your identity or qualifications (if required)
To comply with Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and fraud prevention obligations (conducted via authorized third-party processors)
To prevent misuse, abuse, or illegal activity on the platform

4.3 Platform Improvement

To conduct analytics, performance monitoring, and service optimization
To personalize your experience based on location, interests, or activity
To test new features or update existing functionalities

4.4 Communication

To send administrative updates, invoices, and support communications
To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
To notify you of changes to policies, services, or security issues

4.5 Marketing (Optional/Consensual)

To inform you of new services, promotions, or updates, where you have opted in

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time via your account settings or the unsubscribe link provided in our emails.

4.6 Legal and Regulatory Obligations

To meet tax reporting, recordkeeping, and contractual requirements
To cooperate with lawful government requests, court orders, or law enforcement inquiries
To enforce our Terms & Conditions, including investigating violations

Section 5: Sharing and Disclosure of Information

BizGenie does not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information under the following strictly controlled circumstances:

5.1 With Other Users

Your public profile, including your name, skills, and ratings, is visible to other users.
When submitting bids, proposals, or messages, your contact and profile information may be shared with potential clients or collaborators.
In Collaboration projects, your assigned roles and income shares may be visible to your team members.

5.2 With Authorized Service Providers

We may disclose information to third-party processors that help us operate the platform. These include:

Payment processors (for handling transactions)
Identity verification partners (for KYC/AML compliance)
Cloud infrastructure providers (for hosting services)
Analytics providers (to understand platform usage and improve performance)
Communication tools (for emails, notifications, or customer support)

All third-party partners are contractually obligated to protect your information and are not permitted to use it for any other purpose.

5.3 With Legal Authorities or Regulators

We may disclose your information:

If required by applicable law or legal process
In response to a subpoena, court order, or law enforcement request
To protect the rights, property, or safety of BizGenie, its users, or the public
To respond to claims or disputes involving user conduct

5.4 In Case of Business Transfers

If BizGenie is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or corporate restructuring, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you if your personal data becomes subject to a different privacy policy as a result.

5.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with others when you give us explicit permission, such as during referrals, promotional campaigns, or third-party integrations.

Section 6: Data Retention and Storage

BizGenie retains your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by applicable laws and regulations.

6.1 Account-Related Information

Your account data (profile, project history, communications, and payment records) is retained for the duration of your account’s activity.

If you close your account, we may retain certain information for a limited period to:

Comply with legal, tax, or regulatory obligations
Resolve disputes
Prevent fraud or misuse
Enforce our Terms & Conditions

6.2 Legal Retention Requirements

We may retain records to meet specific legal requirements, including:

Tax laws (e.g., Canada Revenue Agency or similar authorities)
Financial regulations (involving cross-border payments)
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and risk mitigation

Retention periods will differ based on jurisdiction, record type, and applicable legal frameworks.

6.3 Data Deletion

You may request the deletion of your personal information at any time by contacting us at support@bizgenie.ca. Please note:

Some data may remain in backup archives temporarily
Certain data may be retained if required by law or for legitimate business interests
Anonymized or aggregated data may be retained indefinitely for research, analytics, and platform improvement

6.4 Storage Location

Your information may be processed and stored on secure servers located in Canada, or in other countries where BizGenie or its service providers operate. By using the platform, you consent to the transfer of your data outside your country of residence, where data protection standards may differ.

Section 7: Data Security

BizGenie implements industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, or destruction. We take your privacy and the security of your data seriously.

7.1 Security Measures

Encryption: All sensitive data (e.g., passwords, payment info) is transmitted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.
Access Controls: Internal access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Monitoring: Systems are regularly monitored for suspicious activity or potential vulnerabilities.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): May be enabled on user accounts for additional protection.
Data Segmentation: Where feasible, we separate identifying information from transactional or behavioral data to enhance privacy.

7.2 Limitations

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials and should report any suspected breach to us immediately at support@bizgenie.ca.

7.3 Third-Party Risks

Although we require third-party service providers to adhere to strict security standards, we cannot guarantee their systems are immune to breaches. By using BizGenie, you acknowledge that data shared with third-party providers is subject to their respective security protocols and practices.

Section 8: User Rights and Choices

At BizGenie, we believe in transparency and control. Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have specific rights regarding your personal information.

8.1 Access and Correction

You may access, review, and update your personal information by logging into your account settings. If any data is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request corrections.

8.2 Data Portability

Upon written request, and where applicable by law, we will provide a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

8.3 Deletion and Deactivation

Request account deactivation or deletion at any time.
Request erasure of your personal data, subject to retention requirements outlined in Section 6.

8.4 Consent Withdrawal

If you have given consent for a specific purpose (e.g., marketing), you may withdraw it at any time via:

Account settings
Unsubscribe links in our emails
Contacting support at support@bizgenie.ca

Please note that withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on prior consent.

8.5 Objecting to Processing

You may object to the processing of your personal data where we rely on legitimate interests as our legal basis. We will assess your request and either comply or provide a lawful reason for not doing so.

8.6 Marketing Preferences

You can choose whether or not to receive marketing communications. All non-essential marketing emails include an easy opt-out link.

8.7 Filing Complaints

If you believe your data rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC).

Section 9: Cookies and Tracking Technologies

BizGenie uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our platform, analyze usage patterns, and deliver relevant content and advertisements.

9.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to recognize your device and remember your preferences or activity.

9.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for core functionality such as authentication, security, and session management.
Functional Cookies: Enable personalized features like saved preferences and localization.
Performance Cookies: Collect anonymous usage data to help improve site performance and user experience.
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the platform so we can improve functionality and usability.
Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to your interests and to measure the effectiveness of our campaigns.

9.3 Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services we use, such as:

Web analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)
Advertising platforms
Social media integrations

These third parties may collect data about your online activities over time and across different websites.

9.4 Managing Your Preferences

You can control or disable cookies through:

Your browser settings
Cookie preference tools we may provide on the platform
Opt-out mechanisms offered by third-party tools (e.g., Google Ads Settings)

Please note that disabling some cookies may impact the functionality of the platform.

Section 10: International Data Transfers

BizGenie is a global platform. In order to provide you with services, your personal data may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in countries outside of your own, including jurisdictions that may not offer the same level of data protection as your home country.

10.1 Transfer Locations

Your information may be transferred to and processed in:

Canada, where BizGenie is headquartered
Other countries where our service providers, partners, or hosting facilities are located

These transfers are necessary for:

Operating the platform globally
Providing cross-border services
Processing payments and facilitating collaborations

10.2 Safeguards in Place

To protect your information during international transfers, we implement appropriate legal, technical, and organizational measures, which may include:

Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by data protection authorities
Binding contractual obligations with service providers
Secure data transmission and storage protocols

10.3 Your Consent

By using BizGenie and submitting your personal information, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your data outside of your country of residence, including in jurisdictions that may have different data protection rules.

Section 11: Third-Party Services and Integrations

To deliver a seamless user experience, BizGenie integrates with a number of third-party services that may process your personal information as part of their operations. These services are used to support core functions such as payments, analytics, communication, and content delivery.

11.1 Types of Third-Party Services We Use

Payment Processing Services: To facilitate secure payments, currency conversion, and global transactions.
Cloud Hosting Providers: For storing data and running platform infrastructure.
Analytics Providers: To understand usage patterns and improve platform functionality.
Marketing and Communication Tools: For delivering newsletters, system notifications, and service updates.
Authentication Services: For user identity verification and login management.

11.2 Data Shared with Third Parties

We share only the minimum necessary information required for the third party to perform their function. All third-party services are required to:

Comply with applicable data protection laws
Adhere to strict contractual confidentiality and security obligations

11.3 External Privacy Policies

Your interaction with a third-party service is subject to that third party’s own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing those policies to understand how your data may be used.

11.4 No Responsibility for Third-Party Practices

While we carefully select our partners, BizGenie is not responsible for the data practices of third-party services that are not under our direct control.

12. Children’s Privacy

BizGenie is not directed toward individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect, store, or solicit personal information from minors. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from someone under 18 without verified parental consent, we will promptly delete such data.

If you believe that a minor has provided personal information to BizGenie, please contact us at support@bizgenie.ca so we can take appropriate action.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

BizGenie reserves the right to update, modify, or replace this Privacy Policy at any time, in its sole discretion, to reflect changes in legal requirements, business operations, or platform functionality. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” We may also notify you by email, in-platform notification, or other reasonable means before the changes take effect, when required by applicable law. Your continued use of the Platform after the updated policy takes effect constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the revised Privacy Policy, you must stop using the Platform and close your account.

14. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or BizGenie’s data practices, you may contact us at:

Email: privacy@bizgenie.com

Please clearly mark your correspondence as “Privacy Inquiry” to ensure prompt attention.

15. Jurisdiction and Applicable Law (Privacy-Specific)

This Privacy Policy, and any disputes or claims arising out of or related to it, are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any such disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Ontario, Canada, unless otherwise required by applicable privacy laws.

16. Effective Date

This Privacy Policy is effective as of August 10, 2025, and remains in effect until updated or replaced by a new version.