ELITE Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to ELITE. Your privacy matters to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how Badge Worldwide, Inc. ("ELITE," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use the ELITE platform, including our website (https://elite.community), mobile applications, browser extensions, and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Service.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in three primary ways: information you provide directly, information we collect automatically, and information we collect from third-party integrations.

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Information:

• Name, email address, phone number (optional)
• Username and password
• Profile information (photo, bio, location, LinkedIn profile, website)
• Professional information (job title, company, skills, work history)
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors—we do not store full credit card numbers)

Content You Create:

• Posts, comments, messages, and other content you share on the Service
• User-created Groups, discussions, and community contributions
• Files, documents, or work samples you upload
• Reviews, ratings, and feedback about other users or services

Communications:

• Messages you send through the Service or directly to us (customer support emails, feedback, inquiries)
• Your participation in surveys, contests, or promotions

Marketplace and Transaction Information:

• Details about services you offer or purchase through the marketplace
• Transaction history, invoices, and receipts
• Dispute resolution communications

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you use the Service, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage:

Usage Information:

• Pages or features you access and how you interact with them
• Time spent on pages, links clicked, and navigation paths
• Search queries within the Service
• Features you use and actions you take

Device and Technical Information:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system and device type
• Unique device identifiers
• Mobile network information
• Referral source (how you found ELITE)

Cookies and Similar Technologies:

We use cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activity. See Section 8 for details about cookies and your choices.

1.3 Information from ENGINE and Third-Party Integrations

ENGINE Activity Tracking:

If you choose to connect ELITE's ENGINE to third-party tools and applications, we collect behavioral data about your activity within those tools, including:

• HubSpot: Workflows created, automations built, contact management activity, campaign performance
• Salesforce: Objects configured, reports built, Einstein AI usage, data management patterns
• GitHub: Commits, pull requests, code review activity, repository contributions
• ChatGPT/Claude: Prompt complexity, conversation depth, problem-solving patterns
• Cursor AI: Code generation, AI assistance usage, development workflows
• Other integrated tools: Activity patterns specific to each connected tool

What We Track:

• Time spent actively working in each tool
• Complexity and sophistication of tasks performed
• Frequency and consistency of activity
• Tool proficiency indicators (e.g., advanced feature usage)
• Collaboration and communication patterns

What We Don't Track:

• Private or confidential data within the tools (customer data, proprietary business information)
• Passwords, API keys, or authentication credentials
• Content of private messages or communications
• Specific customer or client information you manage in the tools

Third-Party Data:

• Profile information you choose to import from LinkedIn or other social networks
• Information from third-party authentication services (if you sign in with Google, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Publicly available information about you that we may use to enhance your profile or verification

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 To Provide and Improve the Service

• Create and manage your account
• Verify your professional skills and generate verified credentials
• Personalize your experience and recommend relevant content, connections, and opportunities
• Enable communication between users (messaging, Groups, 1:1 sessions)
• Process transactions and payments
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Monitor and improve Service performance, functionality, and user experience
• Develop new features and services

2.2 To Ensure Trust and Safety

• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, or illegal activity
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies
• Verify user identity and prevent fake accounts
• Protect the security and integrity of the Service
• Resolve disputes between users

2.3 To Communicate With You

• Send transactional emails (account confirmations, password resets, receipts, notifications)
• Send product updates, new feature announcements, and Service-related information
• Respond to your requests, questions, or feedback
• Send marketing communications (if you've opted in—see Section 6 for opt-out options)

2.4 For Analytics and Research

• Analyze usage patterns and trends to improve the Service
• Conduct research on workforce skills, professional development, and labor market trends (using aggregated, anonymized data)
• Generate insights and reports for business planning

2.5 For Legal and Compliance Purposes

• Comply with legal obligations, regulations, and lawful requests from authorities
• Protect our legal rights and interests
• Enforce agreements and policies

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

3.1 Public Profile Information

When you create an ELITE profile, certain information is publicly visible by default, including:

• Your name, username, profile photo, and bio
• Your verified skills and capability scores
• Your work history and professional information you choose to display
• Public posts, comments, and Group participation

You can control the visibility of many profile elements through your privacy settings.

3.2 With Other Users

• When you participate in Groups, forums, or public discussions, your contributions are visible to other members
• When you book or offer 1:1 sessions, relevant contact and scheduling information is shared with the other party
• When you engage in marketplace transactions, necessary information is shared to facilitate the transaction

3.3 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate the Service, including:

• Cloud hosting and infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)
• Payment processing (e.g., Stripe)
• Email and communication services (e.g., SendGrid, Twilio)
• Analytics and monitoring (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel)
• Customer support tools (e.g., Intercom, Zendesk)
• Security and fraud prevention services

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

3.4 With Third-Party Integrations

When you connect third-party tools to ENGINE, we may share limited information with those platforms to enable the integration (e.g., authentication tokens, user IDs). We do not share your verified skills data or ENGINE insights with third parties without your explicit consent.

3.5 For Business Transfers

If ELITE is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, bankruptcy, or similar transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on the Service before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

3.6 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders, warrants)
• Requests from law enforcement or government authorities
• Situations involving potential threats to safety, fraud, or illegal activity
• Protection of ELITE's rights, property, or safety

3.7 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you explicitly authorize us to do so (e.g., sharing your verified credentials with a potential employer).

4. Data Retention

How Long We Keep Your Data:

• Active Accounts: We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Service
• Deactivated Accounts: If you deactivate your account, we retain certain information for a limited period to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements
• Verified Skills Data: Historical verification data is retained to maintain the integrity of your verified credentials, even if you disconnect tool integrations
• Anonymized Data: We may retain and use anonymized, aggregated data indefinitely for research and analytics

Data Deletion:

You can request deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting hi@justbadge.com. We will delete your data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention, legal compliance).

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

5.1 Access and Portability

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Portability: Export your verified skills data, profile information, and activity logs in a machine-readable format
• How to exercise: Go to Account Settings → Privacy → Download My Data, or email hi@justbadge.com

5.2 Correction and Update

• Update your profile information, account details, and preferences at any time through your account settings
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

5.3 Deletion

• Delete your account and request removal of your personal data
• Note: Some information may be retained as described in Section 4
• How to exercise: Account Settings → Delete Account, or email hi@justbadge.com

5.4 Opt-Out of Marketing Communications

• Unsubscribe from promotional emails by clicking "Unsubscribe" in any marketing email
• Adjust email preferences in Account Settings → Notifications
• Note: You cannot opt out of transactional or Service-related emails (e.g., account confirmations, security alerts)

5.5 Control Over ENGINE Integrations

• Connect or disconnect third-party tool integrations at any time
• View what data ENGINE is collecting from each integration
• Pause or resume data collection without disconnecting
• How to exercise: Account Settings → Integrations

5.6 Manage Cookie Preferences

See Section 8 for details about managing cookies and tracking technologies.

5.7 Additional Rights (Based on Location)

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights:

For EEA/UK Users (GDPR):

• Right to object to processing
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

For California Users (CCPA/CPRA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
• Right to opt out of "sales" (though we don't sell data)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

For Other Jurisdictions:

We comply with applicable local data protection laws. Contact us at hi@justbadge.com to learn about rights specific to your location.

6. Security

We take data security seriously and implement industry-standard measures to protect your information, including:

Technical Safeguards:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
• Secure authentication and password hashing
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems

Organizational Safeguards:

• Access controls limiting employee access to personal data
• Employee training on data protection and security practices
• Incident response procedures

Third-Party Security:

We carefully vet service providers and require them to maintain appropriate security measures through contractual agreements.

Your Responsibility:

• Use a strong, unique password
• Enable two-factor authentication (when available)
• Do not share your login credentials
• Report suspected security issues immediately to hi@justbadge.com

7. International Data Transfers

ELITE is based in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the U.S. and other countries.

For EEA/UK Users:

We comply with applicable data transfer mechanisms (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) to ensure your data receives adequate protection when transferred outside the EEA/UK.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and provide personalized content.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites remember information about your visit.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies (Required)

• Enable core functionality (login, account access, security)
• Cannot be disabled without breaking the Service

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

• Track usage patterns and performance
• Help us understand how users interact with the Service
• Examples: Google Analytics, Mixpanel

Functional Cookies (Optional)

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Personalize your experience

Advertising Cookies (Optional)

• Track your activity across websites for targeted advertising
• Currently not used by ELITE but may be used in the future

Your Cookie Choices:

Browser Controls:

Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

Opt-Out Tools:

• Google Analytics Opt-Out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Digital Advertising Alliance: https://optout.aboutads.info/

Do Not Track:

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Currently, there is no industry standard for handling DNT signals, so we do not respond to DNT signals at this time.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us at hi@justbadge.com. We will promptly delete such information from our systems.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not operated by ELITE. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services.

We are not responsible for:

• The privacy practices of third parties
• Content on third-party websites
• How third parties collect, use, or share your information

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

How We Notify You:

• For material changes: Email notice at least 30 days before the effective date
• For non-material changes: Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• We may also post a notice on the Service or within the app

Your Continued Use:

Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of the revised Privacy Policy constitutes acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree with the revised policy, please stop using the Service and delete your account.

12. Contact Us

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

For Data Protection Inquiries:

Email: hi@justbadge.com

Subject Line: "Privacy Inquiry"

Response Time:

We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days. For urgent security matters, please mark your email as "URGENT."

13. Additional Information for Specific Jurisdictions

13.1 European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom

Legal Basis for Processing:

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contract: To perform our contract with you (providing the Service)
• Legitimate Interests: To improve the Service, ensure security, and conduct analytics
• Consent: For ENGINE integrations, marketing communications, and optional features
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws

Your GDPR Rights:

• Right to access, rectification, erasure, and data portability
• Right to restrict or object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent
• Right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority

Data Protection Officer:

For GDPR-related inquiries, contact: hi@justbadge.com

13.2 California (CCPA/CPRA)

Your California Privacy Rights:

• Right to Know: Request details about personal information we collect, use, and share
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not "sell" personal information as defined by CCPA
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

Categories of Personal Information Collected:

See Section 1 for detailed categories.

Shine the Light:

California residents may request information about disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

How to Exercise Your Rights:

Email: hi@justbadge.com

Subject Line: "California Privacy Rights Request"

13.3 Nevada

Nevada residents may opt out of the "sale" of certain covered information. We do not sell covered information as defined under Nevada law. If you have questions, contact hi@justbadge.com.