Privacy
Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how World Culture Marketplace ("WCM", "we", "us", "our") collects, stores, processes, and protects your personal data when you visit or use worldculturemarketplace.com (the "Platform").
We comply with:
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- The French Data Protection Act (Loi Informatique et Libertés) if operating in France
- Applicable global privacy laws
By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Data We Collect
We collect several types of personal and non-personal data.
1.1 — Data You Provide Directly
When you use WCM, you may provide:
- Name
- Email address
- Username
- Password (securely hashed)
- Cultural contributions and descriptions
- Creator profile details
- Communications sent to WCM
- Advertising inquiries or submissions
- Uploaded files (images, text, media)
1.2 — Data Collected Automatically
Through analytics tools, cookies, and log files, we collect:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Time spent on each page
- Click behavior and interactions
- Referring URLs
- Approximate geolocation (non-precise)
This data is pseudonymized when possible.
1.3 — Data from Third Parties
We may receive additional data from:
- Google Analytics
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Pixel
- Advertising networks
- Social login tools (if enabled)
This may include anonymized user behavior and ad performance data.
Why We Process Your Data (GDPR Legal Basis)
Under GDPR, we process your data on the following legal bases:
2.1 — Consent
Given when you:
- accept cookies
- subscribe to a newsletter
- submit content
- request communication
2.2 — Contract Performance
We process data necessary to:
- register and manage your account
- allow you to submit content
- enable creators to publish profiles
- provide advertising services
2.3 — Legitimate Interests
We process certain data to:
- secure and maintain the Platform
- improve performance
- analyze usage
- detect fraud or abuse
- protect cultural integrity
2.4 — Legal Obligations
We may process data for:
- record-keeping
- compliance with laws
- responding to lawful requests
How We Use Your Data
- Operate the Platform
- Authenticate users
- Publish and display cultural content
- Provide creator tools and visibility
- Improve user experience
- Protect the Platform from misuse
- Comply with GDPR and other laws
- Communicate updates, alerts, or support messages
- Analyze site traffic and trends
- Support advertising and visibility features
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies for
- Essential site functionality
- Login sessions
- User preferences
- Analytics and performance
- Advertising measurement
You may
- Accept or reject non-essential cookies
- Customize cookie preferences
- Revoke consent at any time
See the Cookie Policy for full details.
How We Share Your Data
5.1 — Service Providers
Such as: hosting providers, analytics tools, advertising partners, backup systems, email service providers. All service providers operate under strict confidentiality agreements.
5.2 — Legal Authorities
If required by court order, law enforcement, or regulatory obligations.
5.3 — Other Users
If you are a creator: your name, profile, and cultural content may be publicly visible.
5.4 — Business Transfers
If WCM undergoes a merger, data may transfer under equal protection conditions.
Data Security
- SSL encryption
- Password hashing
- Limited access controls
- Firewall protection
- Regular backups
No system is 100% secure, but we use industry standards.
Data Retention
- User accounts → until deleted
- Creator content → until removal requested
- Analytics → per Google settings
International Transfers
- Data transferred outside the EU uses SCCs and GDPR-compliant processors.
Your Rights Under GDPR
Right of Access
Request copies of your personal data.
Right to Rectification
Correct inaccurate data.
Right to Erasure
Request deletion ("right to be forgotten").
Right to Restriction
Limit how we process your data.
Right to Object
Object to certain processing activities.
Right to Portability
Receive your data in a portable format.
Right to Withdraw Consent
Revoke consent at any time.
Right to Complain
Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.