Privacy Policy

1. Overview

GovAuctions (“we”, “us”, “our”), available at govauctions.app and operated by GovernmentAuctions LLC, the data controller, is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that data.

2. Information We Collect

Account Information

If you create an account or subscribe to email alerts, we collect your email address and, if applicable, payment information (processed securely by our payment provider; we do not store card details).

Usage Data

We collect analytics data about how the Service is used (pages viewed, listings viewed, clicks, session duration, referring site). For signed-out visitors this is tied only to a random device identifier. If you are signed in, we associate this usage with your account so we can operate and improve the Service, provide support, and understand how features are used by our members. We do not sell this data or use it to build cross-site advertising profiles.

Device, IP, and Approximate Location

Like most websites, our servers and service providers automatically receive your IP address, browser type, and device information. We use your IP address to provide security, prevent abuse, and infer an approximate (city- or region-level) location so we can show auctions relevant to your area. We do not collect precise GPS location.

AI Feature Inputs

When you use AI-powered features (such as natural-language search or the AI alert builder), the text you enter is sent to a third-party AI provider to generate a response. We do not include your account identity in these requests, and we ask that you not enter sensitive personal information into these features.

3. How We Use Your Information

• To send email alerts and notifications you have opted into
• To improve the Service based on aggregated usage patterns
• To process subscription payments
• To respond to support inquiries

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with the following categories of service providers:

• Database and hosting providers — to operate the Service
• Analytics providers — aggregated usage data
• Payment processor — for subscription billing
• Email service provider — for transactional and alert emails
• AI providers — to power natural-language search and the alert builder
• Advertising partners — when advertising is active on the Service (see Section 6)

These providers may process data in the United States and other countries. For users in the EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, see Section 10 for how international transfers are handled.

We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of GovAuctions, our users, or others.

5. Cookies and Consent

We use minimal first-party cookies necessary for authentication and session management, and first-party analytics to understand and improve how the Service is used (associated with your account when you are signed in, as described under Usage Data). We may also use third-party analytics.

When advertising is active on the Service, our advertising partners may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to deliver and measure ads. When you first visit the Service, a consent banner will request your permission to use advertising cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by reopening the consent banner, or by following the opt-out instructions in Section 6.

6. Advertising and Third-Party Vendors

When advertising is enabled, the Service is part of an advertising network operated by Mediavine, Inc. and its advertising partners. Mediavine and its partners may collect information about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements, including by using cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and similar technologies.

For details on how Mediavine collects and uses information, see the Mediavine Privacy Policy. You can opt out of personalized advertising at:

• Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA)
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI)
• Your Online Choices (EU)

Some web browsers (including Safari, Firefox, and Brave) automatically block third-party advertising cookies. Mobile devices offer a “Limit Ad Tracking” (iOS) or “Opt out of Ads Personalization” (Android) setting that achieves a similar result.

7. Data Retention

We retain account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Unsubscribe from email alerts at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us via the contact form.

9. California Residents (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act) gives you the following rights regarding your personal information:

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and share
• The right to delete personal information we have collected
• The right to correct inaccurate personal information
• The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information
• The right to limit the use of sensitive personal information
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising any of these rights

We do not sell personal information for money.However, the use of advertising cookies and similar technologies described in Section 6 may be considered “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising under California law. To opt out of this sharing, follow the opt-out links in Section 6 (and, when advertising is active, the on-site consent banner).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us via the contact form. We will respond within 45 days as required by law.

10. European Users (GDPR / UK GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the General Data Protection Regulation (and its UK equivalent) gives you the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of access — obtain a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to rectification — correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”) — request deletion of your data
• Right to restriction of processing — limit how we use your data
• Right to data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests, including direct marketing
• Right to withdraw consent — for any processing based on consent (e.g., advertising cookies)
• Right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

Our legal bases for processing personal data are: (a) consent for advertising cookies and marketing emails; (b) contract performance for paid subscriptions and account features; (c) legitimate interests for security, fraud prevention, and first-party product analytics to operate and improve the Service.

International transfers.We are based in the United States, and our service providers process data in the United States and elsewhere. Where we transfer personal data out of the EEA, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (and the UK Addendum) to protect your data.

To exercise any of these rights, or to withdraw consent, contact us via the contact form. When advertising is active, you can also adjust your advertising-cookie consent using the on-site consent banner.

11. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.

12. Changes to This Policy

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

13. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy? Reach us via the contact form on our About page.