Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Issued On: August 1, 2024 | Last Updated On: April 26, 2025

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how Global Fashion Directory LLC (“GFD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use our services and platform. By accessing or using GFD’s services, you (“you,” “your,” or “user”) consent to the practices described in this Policy.

This Privacy Policy is part of GFD’s Terms of Service and is incorporated by reference into those Terms. By accessing or using any part of the Platform, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Service and this Privacy Policy.

GFD is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly in compliance with applicable global data protection standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents.

1. Data Collection and Protection

We collect and process the following types of information when you interact with our platform:

  • Personal Information: This includes your name, business email, phone number, job title, and other contact details you provide during registration or profile setup. This data is used to manage your account and deliver directory services. Processing is based on contractual necessity.
  • Company Contact Information Submission: As part of our onboarding process, GFD collects limited professional contact details — such as names, business emails, and phone numbers — for key personnel within your organization. These are submitted by a company-designated onboarding representative, who confirms they are authorized to share this information and that all listed individuals have been informed of their inclusion. GFD requires at least one verified contact per listing for internal purposes, including account support, matchmaking, and warm introductions. Additional contacts may be submitted optionally. When explicitly authorized during onboarding, their details will appear in the company’s public business profile for B2B discovery by other GFD members. Contacts not marked for public display remain private and used solely by GFD for platform operations. All submissions are governed by our Terms of Service. Updates or removals can be requested anytime via info@globalfashiondirectory.com.
  • Email and Onboarding Notifications: GFD retains onboarding-related communications and metadata as needed for audits, support, or compliance. Unless required by law, such records are retained for no longer than 24 months after membership ends or user activity ceases. Deletion requests can be submitted at any time.
  • Business Information: Includes company name, address, industry category, product or service descriptions, and any other business-related data relevant to directory listing. Processing is based on GFD’s legitimate interest in maintaining a functional and credible B2B sourcing platform. Curated listings based on public sources are processed under the same basis. Companies may object or request removal, which will be honored within 10 business days.
  • Usage Data: This includes platform interaction data (e.g., page views, searches, IP address, browser type), collected via third-party tools like Google Analytics. GFD does not directly store or associate this with identifiable individuals.
  • Financial Information (for paid credit-based features): Payment details are processed securely via third-party providers like Stripe. GFD does not store or access your card information, only confirmation of successful transactions.

Data collected is used solely for onboarding, directory verification, member support, and compliance with platform standards. GFD does not sell or disclose personal data to unauthorized third parties and only shares information as necessary for service delivery or legal compliance.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected data for the following purposes:

  • Account Creation and Directory Listing: To create, verify, and manage your account and directory profile.
  • Platform Functionality: To provide access to our services, facilitate networking, and ensure your information is visible in relevant search results.
  • Communication: To send onboarding instructions, platform updates, renewal reminders, and promotional offers. You can opt-out of promotional communications at any time.
  • Improving Services: To analyze user behavior and platform performance to improve our offerings and develop new features.
  • Compliance and Security: To enforce our terms, prevent fraud, and ensure the security of our platform.

3. Data Access, Correction, and Retention

Data Access and Correction: Users may request access to their data, correct inaccurate information, or request deletion by contacting info@globalfashiondirectory.com. GFD will process verified requests within applicable legal timelines.

Retention Policy Overview: GFD retains personal and business information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including onboarding, verification, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. Upon account termination or inactivity, profile and account data will be securely deleted or anonymized after 24 months, unless required by law to be retained longer (e.g., tax records, legal disputes, or fraud prevention logs).

Category-Specific Retention Periods:

  • Account Data: Retained for the duration of the active membership and up to 24 months post-termination for audit, compliance, or legal reasons.
  • Financial Data: Retained for a minimum of 6 years to comply with tax, accounting, and regulatory obligations.
  • Usage Data: Aggregated and anonymized usage data may be retained indefinitely for performance analysis, security audits, and platform improvement, provided it is no longer linked to an identifiable individual. Aggregated usage data will be anonymized in compliance with applicable laws.

Users may request deletion or anonymization of their data at any time, unless GFD is required to retain it for contractual, legal, or operational purposes. All requests should be directed to info@globalfashiondirectory.com and will be handled in accordance with applicable laws.

4. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

GFD does not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information under the following conditions:

  • With Other Members: Your business profile, including contact details, may be accessible to other members for networking and business opportunities.
  • With Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party service providers to perform functions on our behalf, such as payment processing and data analytics. These providers have access to information only as needed to perform their services and are required to protect it in accordance with applicable laws.
  • Third-Party Subprocessors and Data Protection Agreements: GFD engages trusted third-party service providers (“subprocessors”) to support platform functionality, including but not limited to payment processing, analytics, customer support, and infrastructure hosting. All subprocessors are subject to written Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) that reflect the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable privacy laws. These agreements require our providers to implement appropriate safeguards, maintain confidentiality, and process personal data solely for their intended service function. A list of subprocessors is available upon request.
  • For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of GFD, our users, or the public.

5. Research Participation (Optional)

From time to time, GFD may engage in publicly funded research initiatives, pilot programs, or academic collaborations, including those funded by U.S. government agencies. Members may be invited to participate in related activities, such as surveys, feedback sessions, or pilot testing. Participation is entirely voluntary and opt-in only. Any data collected will be used exclusively for the stated research purpose and processed in accordance with this Policy, applicable ethics guidelines, and data anonymization standards where appropriate.

6. Data Security

GFD takes the security of your data seriously and implements industry-standard measures to protect it, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. While we strive to secure your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Your Rights Under GDPR (for EU Users): If you are located in the European Union, you have specific rights regarding your personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

  • Right to Access: You can request a copy of the data we hold about you.
  • Right to Correction: You can ask us to correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to any legal retention requirements.
  • Right to Restriction: You can request that we limit the processing of your data in certain circumstances.
  • Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Right to Object: You may object to our processing of your data under certain conditions.

Your Rights Under CCPA (for California Residents): If you are a resident of California, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

  • Right to Know: You can request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal data we collect and how we use it.
  • Right to Delete: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
  • Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information. Although GFD does not sell personal data, this right allows you to further limit sharing.
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: GFD will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise any rights, please contact us at info@globalfashiondirectory.com.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our platform:

  • Necessary Cookies: Essential for platform functionality, such as logging in and accessing secure areas.
  • Analytical Cookies: Help us understand user behavior to improve our services.
  • Advertising Cookies: May be used to deliver targeted advertising based on your browsing activity.

You can control the use of cookies and similar technologies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies entirely or on a site-by-site basis. Additionally, if GFD implements a Cookie Consent Banner or Preference Center in the future, you will have the option to manage your cookie preferences directly through the Platform. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality or availability of some features on the Platform.

9. Policy Updates

GFD may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our data practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on our website with the “Last Updated” date at the top. Your continued use of the platform after any changes signifies your acceptance of the revised policy.