Privacy Policy

17311800 Canada Inc., operating as Global Wholesale Sources ("GWS," "we," "us," or "our"), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at gwsconnect24.com and use our B2B wholesale marketplace platform. Please read this policy carefully. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you register for an account, apply for platform access, or contact us, we may collect personal information including but not limited to:

• Full name and job title
• Email address and phone number
• Mailing address and shipping addresses
• Payment and billing information
• Government-issued identification (for verification purposes)

Business Information

As a B2B platform, we collect business-related information to verify and onboard members, including:

• Business name, type, and registration number
• Tax identification numbers (e.g., GST/HST, EIN)
• Business licenses, permits, and certifications
• Trade references and supplier/buyer history
• Annual revenue and purchasing volume estimates
• Product categories and inventory types

Usage Data

We automatically collect certain information when you access our platform, including:

• IP address, browser type, and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Search queries and product views within the platform
• Device identifiers and session information
• Referring URLs and exit pages

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To create, verify, and manage your account on our platform
• To facilitate transactions between buyers and suppliers, including payment processing and escrow services
• To provide managed logistics and shipping coordination services
• To communicate with you about orders, account updates, and platform changes
• To improve our platform, services, and user experience through analytics
• To detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized access, and other security threats
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of service
• To send promotional communications about new features, deals, and services (with your consent)
• To provide customer support and respond to inquiries

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With Trading Partners: Certain business information is shared with buyers or suppliers to facilitate transactions on the platform. This includes business name, contact details, and order-related information.
• With Service Providers: We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our platform, including payment processors, shipping carriers, cloud hosting providers, and analytics services.
• For Legal Compliance: We may disclose information when required by law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of GWS, our users, or others.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
• With Your Consent: We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers
• Encrypted storage of sensitive data, including payment information
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication protocols to limit data access to authorized personnel
• Secure escrow payment systems for transaction protection

While we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection.

5. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our platform. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences, understand how you use our platform, and improve our services. For detailed information about our use of cookies, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. We respect and uphold the following rights under applicable privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right of Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to Erasure: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You may request that we limit how we use your information.
• Right to Data Portability: You may request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your privacy rights (CCPA).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal and business information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. After account termination, we may retain certain information for a reasonable period to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and support legitimate business operations. Specifically:

• Transaction records are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years for tax and regulatory compliance.
• Account information is retained for up to two (2) years after account closure.
• Usage data and analytics are retained in anonymized form and may be kept indefinitely for platform improvement.

8. Children's Privacy

Our platform is designed for business-to-business transactions and is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date. We may also notify you via email or through a notice on our platform. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: