Privacy Policy - Deposit Guardian

Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and how we use it. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

1. Who We Are

Deposit Guardian ("we", "us", "our") operates the website at depositguardian.com and the Deposit Guardian Chrome browser extension. We are based in Queensland, Australia and operate in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for our international users.

Our service helps users identify potential scams on vehicle and machinery listings and protect their deposits through our Digital Vault service.

2. What Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

  • Account Details: Username, password, and profile information.
  • Contact Details: Name, email address, and phone number when you create an account or submit a form.
  • Financial Information: Payment information when purchasing a scan or subscription (processed securely via third-party providers like Airwallex or Stripe — we do not store full card details).
  • Transaction Details: Inspection request details including equipment type, location, notes, and user-generated content such as transaction descriptions and attachments.
  • Communications: Any communications you send to us via email, contact forms, or chat.

Information Collected Automatically

As you use our services, we collect metadata including:

  • IP address and general location.
  • Browser type, version, and device information.
  • Pages visited on our website, time spent, and referring source.

3. Chrome Extension Data

The Deposit Guardian Chrome extension is designed to help you assess the risk of vehicle and machinery listings. When you click "Scan Listing," the extension reads the following information from the active browser tab:

  • The listing title and description text visible on the page.
  • The listed price of the item and the URL of the listing page.
  • Image URLs of photos shown in the listing.
  • Location information and seller name if publicly visible.

Privacy Guarantee: The extension only reads listing data when you actively click "Scan Listing." It does not run in the background, does not track your browsing history, and does not collect any information from pages you visit outside of supported listing sites.

Supported Listing Sites

The extension is active only on supported Australian and international marketplaces, including Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Gumtree, AgTrader, Machines4U, and other specialized machinery platforms.

4. How We Use Your Information

We process your data under lawful grounds including Consent, Contractual Necessity, Legal Obligation, and Legitimate Interests. We use this data to:

  • Provide and improve our scam detection and deposit protection services.
  • Generate scan reports and risk assessments for listings you scan.
  • Process payments and manage your account and subscription.
  • Coordinate mechanic inspection requests and match you with local inspectors.
  • Respond to inquiries, offer customer support, and resolve complaints.
  • Ensure security, fraud prevention, and comply with legal obligations.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Your data may be shared with:

  • Third-Party Service Providers: Trusted partners for cloud storage, payment processing, email delivery, and analytics. They are contractually required to keep your information secure.
  • Mechanic Network: If you request an inspection, we share necessary details with the assigned inspector to facilitate the service.
  • Legal Authorities: If required by law, court orders, or regulatory requests.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger or acquisition, your data may be transferred, subject to notification.

6. Data Storage and Security

Your information is stored on secure servers. We use industry-standard security measures, including encryption in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest, to protect your data. We retain personal information only as long as necessary for service delivery or legal compliance. If you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your data within 90 days, except where legal retention is required.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct, or request the deletion of your personal information. You may also opt-out of direct marketing or restrict processing under certain conditions. To exercise these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer.

8. Contact Us

For inquiries, complaints, or to exercise your privacy rights, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Deposit Guardian
Queensland, Australia
Email: privacy@depositguardian.com
Website: depositguardian.com

We strive to resolve all privacy inquiries within 5-10 business days.