Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 6, 2026

Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how AES PTA Auction Website collects, uses, and protects your personal information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, as well as data generated automatically during your use of the platform:

  • Account Information: First name, last name, email address, phone number (optional), and password.
  • Third-Party Authentication Data: If you log in using Google or Facebook, we collect your basic profile information (Name, Email) provided by those services. We do not have access to your external passwords.
  • Bidding & Transaction Data: A history of your bids, maximum proxy limits, favorited/saved items, and won auctions.
  • Payment Information: We collect transaction IDs and payment statuses. We do not store full credit card numbers. All online payment processing is handled securely by our third-party processors (Stripe).
  • Technical & Log Data: Your IP address, browser type, and interaction timestamps. We maintain system logs to track email delivery success and application errors to ensure platform stability.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to provide and improve the auction experience:

  • To process bids, calculate proxy bidding logic, and determine auction winners.
  • To generate and deliver PDF invoices for won items or donations.
  • To send transactional emails (e.g., outbid alerts, winning notifications, password resets).
  • To secure our platform and prevent fraudulent activity (including the use of Google reCAPTCHA).

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We only share information in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers: We share necessary data with trusted third parties who provide services on our behalf (e.g., Stripe, Google).
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal processes.
  • Donors/Item Sponsors: For tax or fulfillment purposes, we may share the winning bidder's contact information with the original donor or entity fulfilling the physical item delivery.

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies to manage user sessions (keeping you logged in), remember your preferences, and secure the application against cross-site request forgery (CSRF). You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings, but disabling cookies will prevent you from logging in and bidding.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures, including HTTPS encryption, secure password hashing, and strict database access controls. While we strive to protect your data, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.