Privacy Policy

Effective Date: Jul 20, 2024

MetaProject R&D, LLC (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “UpGenius”) is dedicated to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website www.upgenius.work (the “Site”) and use our services.

By using the Site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Site.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Data

We collect personally identifiable information that you voluntarily provide when registering for or using our services. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Your UpGenius account credentials (e.g., username, email address, and password).
  • Credentials for third-party platforms, including but not limited to your Upwork account (e.g., Upwork username, email, password, and any other security information such as answers to security questions).
  • Any other data you voluntarily provide to enable the integration of your Upwork account with the UpGenius platform.

We collect and store this data solely to facilitate the secure connection and integration between UpGenius and your Upwork account. We do not share or disclose this information to third parties under any circumstances, except as required by law or to provide the service as described.

Usage Data

In addition to personal data, we collect information about how you access and use the UpGenius platform. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Your IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device identifiers
  • Pages viewed and time spent on each page
  • Date and time of access
  • Other diagnostic data

Tracking Technologies and Cookies

To improve user experience and understand how our platform is used, we may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and similar technologies. These may include third-party tools such as Meta Pixel, Microsoft Clarity, and Google Analytics to:

  • Analyze site traffic and user behavior
  • Measure the effectiveness of our marketing efforts
  • Provide targeted advertisements based on your preferences and browsing activities

You can control the use of cookies and similar technologies through your browser settings, but please note that disabling certain cookies may impact the functionality of our platform.

2. Data Protection and Security

2.1 Commitment to Data Security

At UpGenius, the security of your personal information and account credentials is a top priority. We implement industry-standard security measures and best practices to protect your data from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, or loss. Our efforts include, but are not limited to:

  • Encryption: We use encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS to safeguard data transmission between your browser and our servers.
  • Data at Rest: Personal information and credentials, including Upwork account credentials, are encrypted and stored in secure data centers that comply with relevant data protection regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and other international standards.
  • Access Controls: We maintain strict internal access control policies, ensuring that only authorized personnel with a legitimate business purpose have access to your data.
  • Regular Security Audits: Our platform undergoes regular security assessments, vulnerability testing, and system audits to identify and mitigate potential risks.
  • Data Anonymization: Where appropriate, we anonymize personal information to enhance privacy and minimize the risk of sensitive data exposure.

2.2 User Responsibility

While we take extensive measures to ensure the security of your data, security is also a shared responsibility. We encourage users to follow security best practices, including:

  • Creating Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for your UpGenius and Upwork accounts, and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.
  • Keeping Login Credentials Private: Do not share your login credentials, including your password or security question answers, with anyone. UpGenius will never ask you for your password via email or phone.

2.3 Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach that compromises your personal data, we are committed to complying with all applicable legal requirements. If a breach occurs, we will:

  • Notify Users Promptly: We will notify affected users via email as soon as possible and within the time frames required by relevant laws (such as 72 hours under GDPR).
  • Work with Authorities: We will cooperate with the appropriate data protection authorities to ensure that any security breach is properly contained and mitigated.
  • Mitigation and Remediation: We will take immediate steps to address the cause of the breach and provide guidance to affected users on how to protect their information going forward.

2.4 Data Retention and Storage

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with services. Once your account is deleted, we will remove all associated personal data within a reasonable time frame, except where:

  • We are required to retain it by law.
  • It is necessary to resolve disputes or enforce our agreements.
  • It is anonymized and cannot be linked back to you.

2.5 Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We do not share your personal information with third parties, except when necessary to provide the services offered by UpGenius, such as integration with Upwork, or as required by law. Where third-party service providers (e.g., cloud hosting providers) are used, we ensure that they are bound by contractual agreements to meet the same high standards of data protection and security.

2.6 International Data Transfers

As part of our global operations, we may transfer your data to servers located outside your country of residence. We ensure that such transfers are conducted in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the use of appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or binding corporate rules.

We employ appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

3. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

3.1 Confidential Information

For the purposes of this section, “Confidential Information” refers to any data or information provided by you, the user, to UpGenius in connection with your use of our platform, including but not limited to:

  • Account credentials (such as username, email address, passwords, security question answers)
  • Any business information or leads generated through the use of our platform
  • Personal or professional information related to your use of Upwork
  • Any communications, reports, or feedback submitted through the UpGenius platform

3.2 Protection of Confidential Information

We recognize the sensitive nature of your Confidential Information. We agree to:

  • Keep your Confidential Information private and secure.
  • Use your Confidential Information solely for the purpose of providing, improving, and maintaining our services.
  • Not disclose, share, sell, rent, or distribute your Confidential Information to any third parties without your explicit consent, unless required by law or as necessary to comply with legal obligations.
  • Ensure that employees, agents, contractors, or partners who may have access to your Confidential Information are bound by confidentiality agreements and are obligated to maintain its confidentiality

3.3 Exceptions to Confidentiality

This NDA does not apply to information that:

  • Becomes publicly available through no breach of this agreement by UpGenius or any affiliated party.
  • Is rightfully received from a third party not bound by confidentiality obligations.
  • Is independently developed by UpGenius without reference to the Confidential Information.

3.4 Data Security

UpGenius uses commercially reasonable efforts and industry-standard security protocols to protect your Confidential Information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. However, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of any data transmitted over the internet or stored in our systems.

3.5 Duration of Confidentiality

UpGenius’ confidentiality obligations remain in effect as long as you maintain an account with our platform. Upon request for account termination, your Confidential Information will be securely deleted within a reasonable time frame, except for information that we may be legally required to retain.

3.6 Termination of NDA

Upon termination of your use of the UpGenius platform, any remaining Confidential Information in our possession will continue to be treated as confidential and protected according to the terms of this agreement.

4. User Data Access and Deletion Rights

4.1 Right to Access

You, the user, have the right to request and obtain a copy of all personal and account-related information that UpGenius stores about you. To request this information, you must contact us at [email protected]. We will provide the requested information within a reasonable time frame, as required by applicable data protection laws, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other similar regulations in applicable jurisdictions.

4.2 Right to Deletion

You also have the right to request the deletion of your personal data and account information stored by UpGenius. To request the deletion of your data, please contact us at [email protected] with your request. Upon receiving your request, we will delete your data within a reasonable time, except for data that we are legally required or permitted to retain.

4.3 Exceptions to Deletion

We may retain certain information even after a deletion request has been made if:

  • We are required to retain the information by law or to comply with legal obligations.
  • Retention is necessary for the resolution of disputes or the enforcement of our agreements.
  • The information is anonymized and no longer associated with your personal identity.

4.4 Confirmation of Deletion

Once the deletion process is completed, we will notify you by email to confirm that your data has been permanently removed from our systems, except for any legal exceptions mentioned above.

This clause ensures users are aware of their rights to access and delete their data in compliance with global data protection laws. It provides transparency and reassures users about their control over their personal information.

5. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.