UConn Marketplace

1. Introduction

HuskyLoop ("we", "our", or "the Service") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our marketplace platform.

By using HuskyLoop, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information from UConn CAS

When you authenticate through UConn's Central Authentication Service, we receive:

Your UConn NetID

Additional profile information (such as name or email) may be optionally provided by you through profile settings.

2.2 Information You Provide

When you use HuskyLoop, you may provide various types of information including:

Content you create (such as listings, descriptions, and photos)
Communications with other users
Transaction-related information (such as offers and negotiations)
Feedback and ratings for other users
Optional profile information

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

We may automatically collect certain information when you use the platform, including:

Usage and activity data
Device and browser information
Session data and preferences
Log data and diagnostic information

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:

Provide the Service: Enable listing creation, messaging, offers, and marketplace functionality
Authenticate Users: Verify you are a member of the UConn community
Facilitate Transactions: Connect buyers and sellers, enable communication
Display Ratings: Show user reputations and transaction feedback
Improve the Platform: Analyze usage patterns, fix bugs, add features
Enforce Policies: Prevent fraud, abuse, and policy violations
Send Notifications: Alert you to messages, offers, and platform updates
Comply with Legal Obligations: Respond to legal requests when required

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 What Is Public

Certain information may be visible to other authenticated users of the platform, including:

Profile information you choose to share
Content you post (such as listings and descriptions)
Ratings and reviews you provide or receive
Your reputation score

4.2 What Is Private

The following information is NOT publicly visible:

Your NetID
Your contact information (unless you choose to share it)
Private communications between users
Detailed transaction information visible only to involved parties

4.3 Third-Party Sharing

We do NOT sell your personal information. We may share data with:

UConn CAS: For authentication purposes only
Service Providers: Hosting and infrastructure services that help operate the platform
Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
University Administration: If required for policy enforcement or safety concerns

5. Data Storage and Security

5.1 Where We Store Data

Your data is stored on secure cloud infrastructure. We use industry-standard security measures including:

Encrypted connections (HTTPS)
Secure database access controls
Regular security updates

5.2 Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

Your account remains active
Necessary to provide services
Required for legal or safety purposes

You can request account deletion at any time (see Section 8).

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

Authentication: Maintaining your logged-in session
Preferences: Remembering settings for user experience
Security: Protecting against CSRF attacks
Analytics: Understanding how the platform is used

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may limit platform functionality.

7. Third-Party Services

HuskyLoop may integrate with third-party services for authentication, hosting, storage, and other operational purposes. These services have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their data practices.

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Correction: Update or correct your information through your profile
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format
Object: Opt-out of certain data processing activities

Note: Some data may need to be retained for legal reasons or to prevent fraud. Deleting your account will remove your listings and profile, but may not remove messages or ratings already shared with other users.

To exercise these rights, contact us through your UConn email.

9. Children's Privacy

HuskyLoop is intended for members of the UConn community. Users must be at least 18 years old or have appropriate parental consent. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

10. FERPA Compliance

As a platform used by university students, we are mindful of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). HuskyLoop does not access or share any educational records. All data collected is limited to marketplace functionality and is not connected to academic information.

11. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that may compromise your personal information, we will:

Notify affected users via email within a reasonable timeframe
Describe the nature of the breach
Explain what data was affected
Outline steps we are taking to address the issue
Provide recommendations for protecting your information

12. International Users

HuskyLoop is operated in the United States and intended for the UConn community. If you access the platform from outside the US, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

For significant changes, we may provide additional notice through the platform or via email.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us through your UConn email address.

For general UConn privacy policies and data protection, visit the University's privacy resources.