Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Effective Date: June 8, 2025

1. Introduction

$ARQOS ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform and services.

By using $ARQOS, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including:

Full name and contact information (email, phone number, address)
Date of birth and government-issued identification
Financial information (bank account details, payment methods)
Social Security number or tax identification number
Employment and income information
Profile photos and verification documents

Platform Usage Data

We automatically collect information about your use of our platform:

Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
Usage patterns and navigation behavior
Transaction history and circle participation
Communication within circles and with support
Login times and session duration
Features accessed and settings preferences

Financial Data

For savings circles and payment processing, we collect:

Banking and payment card information
Transaction amounts and frequencies
Credit history and financial standing (where permitted)
Circle participation and payment history

Third-Party Information

We may receive information about you from:

Identity verification services
Credit reporting agencies
Banking partners and payment processors
Other users who refer you to the platform
Social media platforms (if you choose to connect them)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

Platform Operations

Creating and maintaining your account
Processing payments and managing savings circles
Calculating and updating Trust Scores
Facilitating communication between circle members
Providing customer support and assistance

Security and Verification

Verifying your identity and preventing fraud
Monitoring for suspicious activities
Ensuring compliance with financial regulations
Protecting against unauthorized access

Service Improvement

Analyzing usage patterns to improve features
Personalizing your experience and recommendations
Developing new products and services
Conducting research and analytics

Communication

Sending important account and service notifications
Providing educational content and financial tips
Marketing communications (with your consent)
Responding to your inquiries and requests

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Within Savings Circles

Limited information is shared with your circle members, including:

Name and profile photo
Trust Score and reliability indicators
Payment status for current circle obligations
Basic contact information for circle coordination

Service Providers

We work with trusted third parties to provide our services:

Payment processors and banking partners
Identity verification and fraud prevention services
Cloud hosting and data storage providers
Customer support and communication tools
Analytics and marketing platforms

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

Comply with legal processes and government requests
Enforce our Terms of Service
Protect our rights, property, or safety
Prevent fraud or illegal activities
Protect other users and the public

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

5. Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

Technical Safeguards

256-bit SSL encryption for all data transmission
AES-256 encryption for data at rest
Multi-factor authentication for account access
Regular security audits and penetration testing
Blockchain technology for transaction integrity

Operational Security

Limited employee access on a need-to-know basis
Regular security training for all staff
Secure data centers with physical security controls
Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures
24/7 monitoring and incident response

While we implement industry-standard security measures, no system is completely secure. We encourage users to protect their accounts by using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have several rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Control

Access: View the personal information we have about you
Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data (subject to legal requirements)
Portability: Download your data in a structured format
Restriction: Limit how we process your information

Communication Preferences

Opt out of marketing communications
Choose notification delivery methods
Set communication frequency preferences
Control social sharing settings

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@sarqos.com or through your account settings. We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

Provide our services and maintain your account
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Prevent fraud and maintain security

Specific retention periods:

Account Information: Retained while account is active plus 7 years
Transaction Records: 7 years from completion
Communication Logs: 3 years
Marketing Data: Until you opt out

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure adequate protection through:

Standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities
Adequacy decisions for countries with equivalent protection
Certification schemes and codes of conduct
Additional safeguards for sensitive data

9. Children's Privacy

$ARQOS is not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child, we will delete it immediately.

If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us at privacy@sarqos.com.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Remember your preferences and settings
Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
Provide personalized content and advertisements
Improve security and prevent fraud

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may limit platform functionality.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with external services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. Material changes will be communicated through:

Email notification to registered users
Prominent notice on our platform
In-app notifications

Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Privacy Officer

Email: privacy@sarqos.com

Address: $ARQOS Privacy Department
[Your Company Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Phone: [Your Phone Number]

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days. For urgent privacy concerns, please mark your communication as "Urgent Privacy Matter."

Last updated: June 8, 2025