Privacy Policy

At MinAuctions, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our customers, sellers, bidders and site visitors. We believe you should feel both informed and empowered when it comes to our handling and use of your information. This notice therefore explains:

• What information we collect when you use the MinAuctions website or communicate with us;
• Why we collect that information;
• How we may then use that information;
• How we share that information;
• How long we keep your information, and how we protect it while we have it;
• What we will not do with your information; and
• What choices and options you have to control your information.

This notice covers all MinAuctions websites, apps and services related to the auction of minerals, fossils and meteorites.

This notice is issued in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Italian data-protection law.

1. Collection & Use of Personal Data

1.1 When you visit MinAuctions

Whenever you visit our website, our servers temporarily store access data in server logs. The following data is logged automatically:

• The originating IP address of the visitor;
• Date and time of access;
• Entry URL (landing page);
• Referring website or search engine;
• Pages visited;
• Device operating system and browser used;
• Country and Internet Service Provider.

This data is collected anonymously and analysed for statistical purposes, including:

• Running site services and counting page views;
• Communication with users through page content;
• Network and server optimisation;
• Marketing and business evaluation;
• Detection and prevention of improper use, such as denial-of-service attacks.

1.2 User account registration

When you register, a customer account is created. You are required to provide the following information in your own name:

• Email address;
• Password;
• Name and address.

Additional information, such as company name, VAT number and phone number, may be provided on a voluntary basis but is stored in the same secure manner.

This data is necessary for:

• User verification;
• Fulfilling your contractual obligations;
• Creating and executing contractual relationships between MinAuctions, sellers and bidders;
• Communication with MinAuctions and other users.

1.3 Registration for chargeable services

In order to use payment services on MinAuctions, we may need the following:

• Phone number;
• Payment method details handled by our payment providers (we do not store card or bank details);
• VAT number, if applicable.

All other information is provided voluntarily.

2. Passing Data to Third Parties

We will not pass on your data unless we have requested and received your agreement, or where required by law or necessary for the assertion of our rights, contractual or otherwise. Trusted service providers, such as payment processors and hosting partners, only receive the data necessary to perform their services and are bound by confidentiality obligations.

3. Right to Access, Correct & Delete Personal Information

You can access and update most of your personal data at any time through your account settings. You may also request access, correction or deletion by contacting us in writing with acceptable authentication.

Deletion of your account would make it impossible to use MinAuctions. Under our Terms and Conditions, if you have provided content or completed transactions through MinAuctions, some data is excluded from deletion. This may include elements of your personal data, such as your username or invoice address related to a purchase or sale. Visibility of this information is restricted to the parties to the relevant contract.

4. Data Security

MinAuctions protects user and other data through technical and operational security measures. Our security measures are continuously monitored and updated by us and our service providers.

On registration, all user accounts are only accessible using a personal password. It is the responsibility of users to keep passwords secure at all times.

MinAuctions does not store passwords in plain text. We do not store debit, credit or executable bank payment information. Payments are processed through PCI-compliant payment providers.

5. Cookies

Cookies are used on MinAuctions to improve your experience. They contain data that your web browser automatically stores on your device when you visit our website, for example to remember your preferences or keep you signed in. They do not damage your device and do not transmit any personal data by themselves.

Before any non-essential cookies are placed on your device, you will be asked for consent. You can decline, although certain features of MinAuctions may not function as intended. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically by default, but can be configured to refuse cookies or warn you when a new cookie is received.

6. Keeping Your Information

We will retain your information for as long as you have your account, or as long as is needed to provide MinAuctions services to you, or (in the case of any contact you may have with us) for as long as is necessary to provide support-related reporting and trend analysis.

If reasonably necessary or required to meet legal or regulatory requirements, resolve disputes, prevent fraud and abuse, or enforce our terms and conditions, we may also retain some of your information as required, even after you have closed your account or it is no longer needed to provide the services to you.

7. Contact

Questions about data privacy on MinAuctions or our services, or information and deletion requests, should be addressed to team@minauctions.com.

8. GDPR & Your Rights

MinAuctions processes personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Italian data-protection law. As a user, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to access — obtain confirmation of whether we process your data and receive a copy of the information we hold;
• Right to rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data;
• Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”) — request deletion of your data in the cases provided by law;
• Right to restriction of processing — ask us to limit processing in certain circumstances;
• Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing;
• Right to data portability — receive your data in a structured, commonly used format and transmit it to another controller;
• Right to withdraw consent — withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal;
• Right to lodge a complaint — file a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali) or your local supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at team@minauctions.com with acceptable authentication. We will respond within the time limits set by applicable law.

9. Validity & Changes to our Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy is currently valid from 14 September 2026. We will update and notify users of any material changes to this policy through the MinAuctions website or by email.