Privacy Policy

Free Item Finder ("we," "our," or "us") operates the website freeitemfinder.com and related services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our service.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following information when you sign up and use our service:

• Account information: Email address and password (hashed) you provide during registration.
• Location data: City, state, and radius you configure to receive item alerts. We may store geocoordinates derived from your city/state to calculate distances.
• Subscription information: Your selected plan (Price Per List, Basic, or Pro) and payment status.
• SMS information: Your phone number and SMS consent status when you choose to receive Free Item Finder alerts.
• Referral data: How you heard about us (partner referral code, self-reported source) if provided.
• Usage data: Item searches, digest opens, and clicks — used to improve our service and personalize recommendations.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Deliver daily email digests and real-time alerts based on your configured location and plan.
• Deliver opted-in SMS alerts about high-value nearby free items and any selected digest or service notifications you request. SMS consent is voluntary and is not a condition of purchasing a membership.
• Process and manage your subscription and billing through our payment processor (Stripe).
• Send transactional emails: account confirmations, digest emails, and account notifications.
• Improve our service, including item discovery algorithms and email personalization.
• Respond to your support requests.

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in these cases:

• Payment processing: Your billing information is handled by Stripe. We do not store your raw payment card details.
• Legal compliance: If required by law, regulation, or court order.
• Service providers: Trusted vendors who help us operate, including email delivery, SMS delivery through providers such as Twilio, and cloud hosting — bound by confidentiality.

SMS alerts

If you opt in, Free Item Finder uses your submitted phone number to deliver the SMS alerts described above. Message frequency varies; up to one high-value alert per day may be sent, plus any daily digest or service messages you request. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to stop messages or HELP for help. You may request deletion of your phone number and other personal information by emailing support@freeitemfinder.com.

4. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active and for up to 2 years after you cancel. You may request deletion of your data at any time by emailing support@freeitemfinder.com.

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard encryption (TLS/HTTPS) for all data in transit. Passwords are hashed using bcrypt. Our production infrastructure is hosted on Render.com with managed PostgreSQL via Neon.

6. Cookies

We use minimal cookies: a session cookie for authentication and (optionally) a one-time "remember me" token if you request it at login. We do not use advertising cookies or third-party tracking.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to: access your data, correct inaccurate data, delete your data, restrict processing, or data portability. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@freeitemfinder.com.

8. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to anyone under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any material changes will be communicated by posting the updated policy on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.

10. Contact

For privacy concerns, contact us at support@freeitemfinder.com.