Privacy Policy

Introduction

FairTradeWorker is operated by Strata Software Group ("we," "us," or "our"), based in Oxford, Mississippi. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you use the FairTradeWorker platform, including our website, mobile applications, and related services. By using FairTradeWorker, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly, information generated through your use of the platform, and information from third-party services integrated with your account.

Account Information

• Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when you create an account
• Contractor-specific data: business name, license numbers, insurance certificates, trade specialties, and service area
• Homeowner-specific data: property address, property type, and project history

Job and Transaction Data

• Job descriptions, photos, bids, estimates, messages between users, and project timelines
• Payment information processed through QuickBooks, including invoice amounts, payment status, and escrow milestones. FairTradeWorker does not store your credit card numbers or bank account details directly — that data is held by Intuit (QuickBooks).

Usage and Analytics Data

• Pages viewed, features used, search queries, and interaction patterns collected through PostHog analytics
• Device type, browser type, operating system, IP address, and general geographic location
• Referring URLs and session duration

Verification Data

• Identity verification results from third-party providers used during contractor onboarding
• License validation results checked against state licensing boards

How We Use Your Information

• Match homeowners with qualified, verified contractors based on trade, location, availability, and track record
• Facilitate communication between homeowners and contractors through in-platform messaging
• Process payments and manage escrow milestones through QuickBooks integration
• Generate AI-powered cost estimates using ConstructionAI, our custom estimation model trained on real construction data
• Improve the accuracy of our estimation models by analyzing anonymized, aggregated project data — individual project details are never used to train AI without explicit consent
• Send transactional notifications (bid updates, payment confirmations, job status changes) and, with your consent, marketing communications
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access to the platform
• Analyze platform usage to improve features, fix issues, and guide product development

Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only in the following circumstances:

• Between users: When a homeowner posts a job and a contractor submits a bid, relevant profile and project information is shared between both parties to facilitate the transaction.
• QuickBooks (Intuit): Payment processing, invoicing, and escrow management are handled through QuickBooks. Your payment data is governed by Intuit's privacy policy.
• Verification providers: Identity verification and background check services receive contractor information necessary to complete verification during onboarding.
• Analytics (PostHog): Anonymized usage data is processed by PostHog to help us understand how the platform is used. PostHog does not receive personally identifiable information unless you are logged in and we associate your session with your user ID for product improvement purposes.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or court order, or if necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of FairTradeWorker, our users, or the public.

Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Data is encrypted in transit using TLS and at rest in our PostgreSQL database. Authentication is handled through JSON Web Tokens (JWT) with httpOnly cookies, and passwords are hashed using bcrypt. Access to production systems is restricted to authorized personnel. While no system is completely immune to security threats, we continuously monitor and update our security practices.

Your Rights

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

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
• Data export: Request a machine-readable export of your data
• Opt out: Opt out of marketing communications at any time by unsubscribing or updating your notification preferences

These rights apply to residents of California (under the CCPA), the European Economic Area (under the GDPR), and other jurisdictions with applicable data protection laws. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@fairtradeworker.com. We will respond within 30 days.

Cookies and Tracking

FairTradeWorker uses cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

• Essential cookies: Required for authentication (JWT session token stored as an httpOnly cookie) and core platform functionality. These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies: PostHog analytics tracks page views, feature usage, and session data to help us improve the platform. PostHog is configured to respect Do Not Track browser settings.

You can opt out of analytics tracking by enabling Do Not Track in your browser settings, using a browser extension that blocks tracking scripts, or contacting us to request opt-out at the account level.

Children's Privacy

FairTradeWorker is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that we have collected information from a user under 18, we will delete that information immediately. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us at hello@fairtradeworker.com.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email or through a prominent notice on the platform at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of FairTradeWorker after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, contact us at: