LaunchForge

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us when you create an account, use our services, or communicate with us. This includes:

• Account Information: Name, email address, and profile information provided through our authentication provider.
• Business Content: Business ideas, blueprints, project data, recipes, stories, and comments you create on the Platform.
• Payment Information: Billing details processed securely through Stripe. We do not store credit card numbers, CVVs, or full card details on our servers.
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, timestamps, and interaction patterns to improve the Platform experience.
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Email addresses submitted through our newsletter signup form.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Platform and its features
• Process transactions and manage your subscription
• Generate AI-powered business content tailored to your inputs
• Send you platform updates, newsletters, and service-related communications
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience and develop new features

3. AI Processing

When you use AI-powered features (The Forge, The Build, AI Advisor), your input text is sent to our AI service providers to generate responses. We do not use your business ideas or generated content to train AI models. Your business data remains yours and is not shared with other users unless you explicitly choose to publish it (e.g., as a public recipe or story).

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Service Providers: Third-party services that help us operate the Platform, including Stripe (payments), AI providers (content generation), and analytics services.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of LaunchForge, our users, or the public.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), secure authentication, and access controls. Payment processing is handled entirely by Stripe, which is PCI DSS Level 1 certified. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and authentication state. We use privacy-respecting analytics (Umami) to understand how the Platform is used. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or cross-site tracking. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account information and content for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as fraud prevention). Publicly shared content (recipes, stories) may persist in anonymized form after account deletion.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request a portable copy of your data
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through the Platform.

9. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not intended for children 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 under 18, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

10. International Users

The Platform is operated from the United States. If you access the Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via the Platform or email. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us through the Platform or at the contact information provided on our About page.