Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 16, 2026

1. Overview

LaunchForge IQ ("we," "us," or "our") provides AI-assisted Etsy niche and product research tools. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using LaunchForge IQ, you agree to this policy.

2. Information we collect

Account information

When you create an account, our authentication provider (Clerk) may collect your name, email address, profile image, and sign-in method. We store your account identifiers and plan-related metadata needed to operate the service.

Billing information

Payments and subscriptions are processed by Stripe. We do not store full payment card numbers. Stripe may share limited billing identifiers, subscription status, trial end dates, and invoice metadata with us so we can provision your plan.

Usage and product data

We may collect research queries, niche-run inputs, saved searches, feature usage counts, device/browser information, IP address, and diagnostic logs needed to operate, secure, and improve the product.

Marketplace and third-party data

LaunchForge IQ may retrieve publicly available listing and shop signals from Etsy's official APIs (or fixture/demo data in development). That marketplace data is processed to generate research results for you and is not sold as a standalone consumer database.

3. How we use information

  • Provide, maintain, and improve LaunchForge IQ features
  • Authenticate users and enforce plan limits, trials, and subscriptions
  • Process payments, prevent fraud, and handle billing support
  • Generate AI-assisted research summaries and opportunity scores
  • Communicate about product updates, security alerts, and service notices
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms and Conditions

4. AI processing

Some features send prompts and structured marketplace signals to AI model providers (for example Anthropic) to synthesize niche recommendations and explanations. Do not submit sensitive personal data you do not want processed by those providers. Model providers process content under their own terms and privacy policies.

5. Sharing of information

We share information only as needed to run the service, including with:

  • Clerk (authentication)
  • Stripe (payments and subscriptions)
  • Hosting and infrastructure providers (for example Vercel)
  • AI and data providers required for research features
  • Professional advisors or authorities when legally required

We do not sell your personal information.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

We and our providers use cookies and local storage for authentication sessions, security, preference storage, and basic product analytics. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling them may break sign-in or core features.

7. Data retention

We retain account, billing, and usage data for as long as your account is active and as needed for legitimate business, legal, tax, and security purposes. You may request account deletion by contacting us; residual backup copies may persist for a limited period.

8. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards such as encrypted transport (HTTPS), access controls, and reputable third-party processors. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your rights and choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export personal information, or to object to certain processing. To exercise these rights, email us at the contact below. You may also manage profile details through your account settings and authentication provider.

10. Children

LaunchForge IQ is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

11. International transfers

We may process information in the United States and other countries where our providers operate. By using the service, you understand your information may be transferred to jurisdictions with different data-protection laws.

12. Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact

Questions about privacy: privacy@launchforgeiq.com