1. Information We Collect

Bookside may collect the following categories of personal data:

2. How We Collect Information

We collect information through:

• Account registration forms
• Seller onboarding and verification
• Purchases and marketplace transactions
• Customer support interactions
• Cookies and analytics technologies
• Communications within the platform
• Voluntary submissions by users

3. Purpose of Processing

Bookside processes personal data for legitimate and lawful purposes, including:

• Creating and managing user accounts
• Facilitating marketplace transactions
• Processing orders, payments, returns, and refunds
• Verifying sellers and preventing fraudulent activities
• Improving platform functionality and user experience
• Providing customer support
• Sending transaction-related notifications
• Ensuring platform security
• Complying with legal obligations
• Resolving disputes and enforcing platform policies

Bookside shall process personal data only for purposes that are declared, specified, and legitimate, consistent with the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality under Philippine privacy laws.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Bookside processes personal data based on one or more of the following lawful criteria:

• User consent
• Fulfillment of contractual obligations
• Compliance with legal obligations
• Protection of legitimate interests
• Fraud prevention and platform security
• Establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims

5. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

Bookside may share personal data only when necessary and permitted by law, including with:

• Payment service providers
• Logistics and delivery partners
• Verification providers
• Customer support tools
• Legal authorities and government agencies when required by law
• Service providers assisting in platform operations

Bookside does not sell users’ personal data to third parties. All third-party service providers are expected to maintain appropriate organizational, physical, and technical security measures consistent with Philippine data privacy regulations.

6. Marketplace Communications

Buyers and sellers may communicate through the Bookside platform. Users are responsible for ensuring that communications remain lawful, respectful, and compliant with platform rules.

Bookside reserves the right to monitor, review, or investigate communications when reasonably necessary for fraud detection, policy enforcement, user safety, dispute resolution, or legal compliance.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Bookside uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain user sessions
• Improve website performance
• Remember preferences
• Analyze traffic and usage patterns
• Enhance security

Users may disable cookies through browser settings; however, certain platform features may not function properly.

8. Data Retention

Bookside retains personal data only for as long as necessary to:

• Fulfill the purposes stated in this Privacy Policy
• Comply with legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, and reporting obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

When retention is no longer necessary, Bookside securely deletes, anonymizes, or disposes of personal data using appropriate security measures.

9. User Rights Under Philippine Data Privacy Laws

Under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, users may exercise the following rights, subject to applicable limitations under law:

• Right to be informed
• Right to access
• Right to object
• Right to correct inaccurate information
• Right to erasure or blocking
• Right to data portability
• Right to damages
• Right to file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission

Requests regarding personal data may be submitted through Bookside’s designated support or privacy contact channels.

10. Seller Responsibilities

Sellers using Bookside are responsible for:

• Processing customer information lawfully
• Protecting buyer information
• Avoiding unauthorized disclosure of customer data
• Complying with applicable Philippine laws and marketplace policies

Improper disclosure or misuse of personal data may result in account suspension, termination, and possible legal action.

11. Children’s Privacy

Bookside is not intended for children below the age required under applicable Philippine laws without proper parental or guardian consent. If Bookside becomes aware that personal data of minors has been collected without lawful authorization, reasonable steps shall be taken to delete or restrict such data.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

Bookside may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications. Bookside is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external platforms. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of third-party services separately.

13. Data Breach and Incident Response

In the event of a personal data breach that may pose a risk to users’ rights and freedoms, Bookside shall act in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including notification requirements imposed by the National Privacy Commission where necessary.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Bookside reserves the right to modify or update this Privacy Policy at any time. Material changes may be communicated through:

• Website announcements
• Email notifications
• In-app notices

Continued use of Bookside after updates constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Information

For privacy-related concerns, requests, or complaints, users may contact:

• Bookside Data Privacy Team
• Email: concerns@bookside.st
• Address: Batangas, Philippines

You may also contact the National Privacy Commission for concerns regarding your data privacy rights.