Privacy Policy

1 Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you register on CleanerConnections, we collect:

• Full name and business name (if applicable)
• Email address and password (stored as a hashed value)
• Phone number
• City and service area within Kentucky
• Account role (cleaning professional or property owner)

1.2 Professional and Business Information (Cleaners)

Cleaning professionals who join the Platform may also provide:

• Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax reporting purposes, including 1099-NEC issuance
• Government-issued identification documents
• Kentucky business license and sales tax permit documentation
• Certificate of insurance and janitorial bond information
• Background check consent and results
• Identity verification selfie photographs
• Service offerings, rates, and availability
• Client references

1.3 Service and Transaction Information

When you use the Platform, we collect data related to:

• Job postings, bids, and service agreements
• Scheduling information and appointment records
• Invoices, payment history, and subscription details
• Messages between users on the Platform
• Job checklists and completion records

1.4 Automatically Collected Information

When you access the Platform, we automatically collect:

• IP address and approximate location (city/state level)
• Browser type and operating system
• Pages visited and features used
• Referring website and session duration
• Device identifiers

1.5 Communications

We retain records of communications you send through the Platform, including support tickets, messages to other users, and feedback submitted to us.

2 How We Use Your Information

2.1 Platform Operations

We use your information to operate and improve the CleanerConnections Platform, including to:

• Create and manage your account
• Connect cleaning professionals with property owners
• Process job bids, acceptances, and completions
• Facilitate scheduling, invoicing, and payments
• Provide customer support

2.2 Verification and Compliance

We use your identification and tax information to:

• Verify the identity of cleaning professionals
• Issue 1099-NEC tax forms to independent contractors earning $600 or more per calendar year (or $2,000 or more per year under the 2026 One Big Beautiful Bill Act)
• Conduct or facilitate background checks
• Comply with Kentucky and federal tax reporting requirements
• Determine tier eligibility (Basic or Pro) based on verification status

2.3 Communications

We use your contact information to:

• Send transactional emails (account confirmations, job updates, invoices, password resets)
• Send marketing and promotional communications (you may opt out at any time)
• Notify you of platform updates, policy changes, and service announcements

2.4 Analytics and Improvement

We use aggregated and anonymized data to analyze platform performance, understand user behavior, and improve our services. This data does not identify you personally.

2.5 Legal and Safety

We may use your information to detect fraud, prevent abuse, enforce our Terms of Service, and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

3 Information Storage and Security

3.1 Data Storage

Your data is stored on secure servers hosted within the United States. We use PostgreSQL databases with industry-standard security configurations. Uploaded documents (such as government IDs and insurance certificates) are stored in Cloudflare R2 object storage with access controls.

3.2 Encryption

We apply the following encryption practices:

• SSN/EIN: AES-256-GCM encryption at rest. Only masked values (last 4 digits) are displayed after submission.
• Passwords: Bcrypt hashing with salt — your actual password is never stored.
• Authentication tokens: JWT-based session tokens with 7-day expiration.
• Data in transit: All communications between your browser and our servers use HTTPS (TLS 1.2+).

3.3 Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Tax-related records (including 1099-NEC data) are retained for a minimum of 7 years as required by IRS regulations.

3.4 Security Practices

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. If you have reason to believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately.

4 Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Between Platform Users

To facilitate the marketplace, we share limited profile information between users:

• Cleaning professionals' business names, service offerings, tier status, and availability are visible to property owners browsing the Platform.
• Property owners' names and job details are shared with cleaning professionals who bid on their jobs.
• SSN/EIN, government ID documents, and other sensitive verification information are never shared with other users.

4.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Platform, including:

• Payment processors and subscription management services
• Background check providers (e.g., Checkr)
• Email delivery services
• Cloud hosting and storage providers
• Analytics providers (using aggregated, anonymized data)

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

4.3 Tax Authorities

We are required by law to report payments to independent contractors to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using Form 1099-NEC. This includes sharing your legal name, address, and SSN or EIN with the IRS when required thresholds are met.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws or regulations
• Protect our rights, property, or the safety of our users or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud or security issues

4.5 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified via email and/or a prominent notice on the Platform of any change in ownership or material change in how your information is used.

4.6 No Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

5.1 Cookies We Use

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on the Platform:

• Essential cookies: Required for authentication and basic Platform functionality (e.g., maintaining your logged-in session).
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings such as sidebar state and dashboard layout preferences.
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform so we can improve our services. We use anonymized, aggregated data only.

5.2 Local Storage

We use browser local storage to store your authentication token and user preferences. This data remains on your device and is not transmitted to third parties.

5.3 Opt-Out

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Platform. Essential session cookies are required for the Platform to function.

6 Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Correction

You may access and update most of your personal information directly through your account settings and profile on the Platform. For information you cannot update yourself, contact us at the address below.

6.2 Data Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and associated personal information by contacting us. Note that we may retain certain information as required by law (e.g., tax records) or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention), even after account deletion.

6.3 Marketing Communications

You may opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking "Unsubscribe" in any marketing email we send, or by contacting us directly. You will continue to receive transactional emails related to your account and services.

6.4 Data Portability

Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of your personal data in a commonly used, machine-readable format, where technically feasible.

6.5 Complaints

If you believe we have handled your personal information in a manner inconsistent with this Privacy Policy, you may contact us to resolve the matter. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may have the right to file a complaint with applicable data protection authorities.

7 Contact Information

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

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after any modification constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.