Freelance Me Privacy Policy

I. General Terms

Freelance Me (“Freelance Me”), operator of the website www.freelances.me, is located at Harju maakond, Tallinn, Lasnamäe linnaosa, Sepapaja tn 6, 15551, and is identified by the Tax ID/registrikood 17184990. Freelance Me is the data controller with respect to personal data of Users who are natural persons, within the meaning of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2016/679 of April 27, 2016 (“GDPR”) and other applicable national legislations, including but not limited to the Federal Trade Commission Act (USA) and any relevant international data privacy regulations (hereinafter collectively referred to as: “Data Protection Regulations”).

As the data controller, Freelance Me determines the purposes and means of processing Users’ Personal Data and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the applicable Data Protection Regulations. “Personal Data” means any information that can directly or indirectly identify a User, such as name, phone number, email address, place of residence, IP address, or tax-related numbers. “Processing” of Personal Data covers any operation or set of operations performed on such data, including collection, usage, storage, disclosure, deletion, and more.

The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to inform site visitors and Users about Freelance Me’s measures to protect Personal Data during processing — including any data collected through Freelance Me services, related tools, or interactions (e.g., registration, posting/viewing jobs, exchanging messages, and other actions associated with regular use of the Freelance Me website and marketplace).

By using the Freelance Me platform available at www.freelances.me, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted this Privacy Policy.

Any capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning as set out in the Freelance Me Terms and Conditions.

II. Categories of Processing of Personal Data

In connection with the use of the Freelance Me Service, we may collect or otherwise process the following types of Personal Data:

• Account and Profile Data: Creating a User Account may require providing identifiable information such as name, address, Tax ID (e.g., EIN or local equivalent), phone number, bank account number, or status as an individual contractor (e.g., self-employed, employee under contract, etc.). Some of this information may be shared publicly on a profile page if the User chooses to make it visible.
• Transactional Data: Freelance Me may process information connected to posting job offers, accepting orders, sending messages, and making payments. The exact scope depends on how extensively the User utilizes Freelance Me’s services.
• Customer Service Data: When Users contact customer support, Freelance Me may process Personal Data (e.g., name, email address, Tax ID numbers). This processing is necessary to handle inquiries, complaints, and follow-up actions.
• Data Processed via Website and Mobile Devices: When needed to provide our service or protect legitimate interests (e.g., IT security), Freelance Me may collect data sent by Users’ browsers or devices. Such data can include email addresses, IP addresses, hardware/software parameters, pages viewed, mobile device IDs, cookie IDs, and usage patterns.
• Third-Party Account Login Data: Freelance Me allows Users to register and log in using external platforms (e.g., Google). In such cases, Freelance Me may receive basic profile data (e.g., profile picture, name, Google account ID, and email address). Users can revoke this access at any time.
• Survey Data: Subject to User consent, Freelance Me may collect data through surveys (e.g., name, email, age, preferences). This data is used to analyze User expectations and improve services.
• Comments: Users can post comments or opinions publicly on the Freelance Me platform (e.g., on forums or feedback sections). By posting a comment, the User agrees to the processing and public disclosure of any Personal Data contained therein.
• Identity Verification Data: As part of standard “Know Your Customer” (KYC) procedures, Freelance Me may require information (e.g., name, date of birth) to prevent fraud, money laundering, or terrorist financing risks. This data can be shared with trusted third-party verification partners.

III. Purposes and Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

Freelance Me processes Users’ Personal Data on the following bases:

1. Legitimate Interests

• Optimizing traffic and monitoring user behavior on the platform (e.g., most searched keywords, job categories).
• Direct marketing and advertising (including limited profiling to match content/offers to User preferences).
• Allowing Users to register/log in using external accounts (e.g., Google).
• Displaying relevant job posts or ads based on past browsing history.
• Creating “lookalike” campaigns or targeted ad lists via pseudonymization/anonymization.
• Performing analytics to improve our service quality and assess User needs.
• Managing Freelance Me’s profiles on social or professional platforms, including responding to comments, etc.
• Processing and responding to inquiries from non-registered individuals.
• Ensuring IT security of the Freelance Me platform and protecting other Users.
• Communicating with Users for support, archival, or dispute-resolution purposes.
• Detecting and preventing unauthorized or automated/bot activities (e.g., via reCAPTCHA).
• Handling court, arbitration, or mediation proceedings as necessary.

2. Contract Performance

• Operating User Accounts and handling user transactions.
• Maintaining security of electronic services (e.g., enforcing Terms & Conditions).
• Establishing and managing User profiles.
• Executing agreements (job contracts) between Employers and Freelancers via the platform.
• Collecting and resolving User complaints, inquiries, or requests.
• Processing payments, invoices, and debt collection when necessary.
• Facilitating communication between Users and relevant third parties for service fulfillment.
• Providing ongoing customer support and technical assistance.

3. Legal Obligations

• Complying with applicable laws and regulations, including tax and anti-fraud legislation.
• Preventing money laundering and terrorism financing (KYC verifications).
• Responding to whistleblower or compliance reports, per relevant laws.
• Fulfilling accountability and transparency obligations under Data Protection Regulations (GDPR, etc.).

4. User Consent

• Collecting data automatically via cookies or similar technologies (User has the option to accept or reject via cookie settings).
• Sharing data with third-party partners (e.g., advertisers or banking partners) when the User explicitly shows interest.
• Conducting optional surveys to gather feedback or preferences, used for personalization and statistical analysis.

Personal Data will not be processed in an automated manner that produces legal effects concerning the User or similarly significantly affects him/her without proper consent or an applicable legal basis.

IV. Disclosure of Personal Data

Freelance Me may share certain Personal Data (e.g., name, email, address) with:

• Other Users or third parties directly involved in a specific job contract, to the extent necessary to facilitate the work arrangement or payment.
• External entities processing data on behalf of Freelance Me, such as hosting/ICT services, mailing/marketing solutions, accounting, identity verification for KYC, or debt collection agencies. These entities process data only under our instructions and must ensure confidentiality and security.
• Partners outside the EEA, for example in the USA or the UK, solely for the specific processing purpose and under data protection safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses).
• Authorities and government bodies if required by law (e.g., to meet tax or legal obligations, or in case of investigations).

Users who receive Personal Data of another User in the context of a job contract must use it solely for the specific service or transaction and adhere to all relevant Data Protection Regulations, including fulfilling data subject rights.

V. Data Storage and Security

Freelance Me stores collected Personal Data only for the purposes outlined in this Policy. Any additional processing requires a separate legal basis (e.g., further consent or a legal obligation). Users’ data is kept for:

• The entire duration of an active User account on Freelance Me, and/or
• A period of five (5) years following the settlement of the last job contract through the platform, even if the account becomes inactive before the end of that period, to comply with legal or fiscal requirements.

All data is secured on protected servers, with appropriate technical and organizational measures to prevent unauthorized access or misuse. Freelance Me’s affiliates and third-party processors are contractually bound to uphold the same security standards.

VI. Users’ Rights as Data Subjects

Under Data Protection Regulations, Users have the following rights (subject to any relevant exemptions under local law):

• Right of Access: Request information about the Personal Data Freelance Me holds about you, and obtain a copy.
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete Personal Data, and request an official statement of rectification.
• Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request deletion of your Personal Data under certain circumstances (e.g., data no longer necessary, or consent withdrawn and no other legal basis).
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit the processing of your data, for example, if you contest the data’s accuracy or object to its unlawful processing.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests, including direct marketing or profiling. You should state the reasons for objection (unless for marketing).
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format, and transfer it to another controller where processing is based on consent or contract performance.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: At any time, withdraw consent for data processing based on your consent. This does not affect the lawfulness of past processing.
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: If you believe your data is processed unlawfully, file a complaint with your local data protection authority (e.g., the supervisory authority in your country of residence).

VII. Contact Details

To exercise any of your rights or to address any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

• Email: info@freelances.me
• Phone: +12013800893
• Mail: Harju maakond, Tallinn, Lasnamäe linnaosa, Sepapaja tn 6, 15551

If you reside in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) and believe that your data is being processed unlawfully, you can also contact your local Data Protection Authority. Users located outside the EU/EEA should contact their respective local authorities or regulatory bodies.

Last Updated: 01/01/2025