Ezship ("EZShip," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the EZShip platform, including our website at shipio.app, mobile applications (iOS and Android), desktop application, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By using the Platform, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you register for an account or use our Platform, we may collect the following information:

Account Information: Full name, email address, phone number, password, and profile photo
Business Information: Company name, business address, business type (Shipper or Carrier), EIN/Tax ID
Carrier-Specific Information: Motor Carrier (MC) number, DOT number, insurance certificates, operating authority documentation, vehicle information, and driver details
Shipment Information: Load details (type, weight, dimensions), pickup and delivery addresses, scheduling information, and special handling instructions
Financial Information: Billing address, payment method details, bank account information for payment processing, and transaction history
Communications: Messages exchanged through the Platform, support inquiries, feedback, and survey responses

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access the Platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:

Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, browser type and version, screen resolution
Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, actions taken, time and date of access, session duration, and interaction patterns
Location Data: With your consent, we collect GPS location data from mobile devices to enable real-time shipment tracking, route optimization, and location-based load matching. You can disable location services through your device settings.
Log Data: IP address, access times, referring URLs, and crash reports
Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies as described in our Cookie Policy

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:

Identity verification and background check services
FMCSA and DOT databases for Carrier verification
Insurance verification providers
Payment processors and financial institutions
Business data providers for company verification

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 Platform Operations

Create, maintain, and secure your user account
Facilitate load posting, bidding, counter-offer negotiation, and shipment matching
Enable real-time shipment tracking and status updates
Process payments and manage invoicing between Shippers and Carriers
Verify Carrier credentials, insurance, and operating authority
Generate and manage digital contracts and documentation

2.2 Communication

Send transactional notifications (bid updates, shipment status changes, payment confirmations)
Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
Send service announcements, maintenance notices, and security alerts
With your consent, send promotional communications about new features, offers, or services

2.3 Improvement and Analytics

Analyze usage patterns to improve the Platform's features and user experience
Conduct research and development for new features and services
Monitor Platform performance, diagnose technical issues, and prevent errors
Generate aggregated, de-identified analytics and market insights

2.4 Safety and Compliance

Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security threats
Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies
Comply with legal obligations, regulatory requirements, and law enforcement requests
Protect the rights, property, and safety of EZShip, our Users, and the public

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 Between Users

To facilitate transactions, we share relevant information between Shippers and Carriers, including company name, contact information, load details, bid amounts, and shipment status. This is necessary for the core functionality of the Platform.

3.2 Service Providers

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

Cloud hosting and data storage providers
Payment processing companies
Identity verification and background check services
Email and push notification delivery services
Analytics and monitoring tools
Customer support platforms

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

3.3 Legal and Regulatory

We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or government regulation, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice on the Platform of any such change.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. We also retain information as necessary to:

Comply with our legal obligations (e.g., tax records, transportation regulations)
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
Maintain business records as required by applicable law

Transaction records and shipment data are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years as required by federal transportation and tax regulations. When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest (AES-256)
Secure authentication with password hashing and optional two-factor authentication
Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Role-based access controls limiting employee access to personal data
Secure cloud infrastructure with redundancy and backup systems

While we take reasonable measures to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Account Information

You may access, update, or correct your account information at any time by logging into your account settings. If you need assistance, contact us at sales@myfreightconnect.com.

6.2 Communication Preferences

You can opt out of promotional emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any promotional email. Note that you cannot opt out of transactional communications related to your account and active shipments.

6.3 Location Data

You can enable or disable location services through your mobile device settings. Disabling location services may limit certain Platform features such as real-time tracking.

6.4 Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and associated personal data by contacting us at sales@myfreightconnect.com. We will process your request within thirty (30) days, subject to our retention obligations for legal and regulatory compliance.

6.5 State-Specific Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have additional rights under state privacy laws (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act). These may include:

The right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used
The right to request deletion of your personal information
The right to opt out of the sale of personal information (EZShip does not sell personal information)
The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at sales@myfreightconnect.com.

7. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. 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.

8. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through the Platform.

9. International Users

EZShip operates in the United States and our Platform is designed for use within the 50 US states. If you access the Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on the Platform and updating the "Last Updated" date. We may also send you an email notification for significant changes. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

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

Email: sales@myfreightconnect.com
Phone: +1 (872) 369-0704
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST