1. About KitapBuurt

KitapBuurt is a listings platform connecting buyers and sellers so families in the Netherlands can share children’s books for free or at an affordable price. For privacy questions, contact us at contact@kitapbuurt.com .

2. Information we collect

• Account information: When you sign in with Google: your name, email address, profile photo and unique Google user ID.
• Profile information: The name and neighbourhood or region you choose to share, plus your optional WhatsApp number and contact preference.
• Listing information: Book photos, title, author, language, description, price and listing status.
• Transaction information: Reservations, cancellations, confirmations and their dates; reservation messages and contact details you explicitly choose to share.
• Shipping details: When you choose PostNL shipping: the recipient’s name, delivery address, accepted shipping fee, payment and confirmation steps, and tracking code.
• Technical information: Limited connection and system logs needed for security, error detection and service performance.
• Email preferences: When you explicitly subscribe to community and update emails: your consent status, consent date, notice version and unsubscribe date.

3. How do we use Google account data?

We use basic Google account data only to provide secure sign-in, create your account and make your profile recognisable. We do not see or store your Google password. Signing in with Google does not automatically subscribe you to community emails. We only send KitapBuurt updates to your registered address if you separately consent in your profile. We do not sell Google account data or share it to create independent marketing profiles.

4. Why do we use information?

• Create your account and keep your session secure.
• Publish, search and display book listings.
• Support reservations and buyer-seller communication.
• Processing your chosen PostNL shipment and tracking procedure.
• Prevent misuse and protect the service.
• Fix problems and improve KitapBuurt.
• If you have explicitly consented, to send emails about community news, new books and product updates.

5. AI-assisted book recognition

Uploaded book photos may be sent to our AI provider to verify the front cover of one book and suggest book details. Descriptions are not generated automatically; you can add one yourself. You review all suggestions before publishing. Do not add personal information to photos or descriptions.

6. Service providers

The age groups, book languages and interests you choose for book suggestions without an account are stored in your browser. They are sent to the server for sorting and appear in the catalogue link; if you share the link, your preferences are shared too. Your child’s name is not stored. When you register or sign in, the preferences are transferred to a child profile in your account; if a profile with the same preferences already exists, no new one is created. You can clear the preferences from the discovery screen.

When you open the map, the map background is loaded via OpenFreeMap. Your browser sends network requests to this provider; your IP address and standard connection data may be transmitted. Your full postcode, home address and child-profile details are not sent to the map provider.

KitapBuurt uses trusted providers for hosting, authentication, storage and AI, potentially including Vercel, Supabase, Google and OpenAI. They process information under their agreements and applicable data-protection obligations. Resend may process the recipient’s email address and limited necessary content for transactional emails. In-site message content is not included in notification emails.

Selecting the WhatsApp button takes you to WhatsApp. Communication from that point is subject to WhatsApp’s privacy terms.

7. Visibility of information

We use the first four digits of your postcode to show your books in an approximate area. This area code and the map point representing it may be visible in public listings. Your full postcode and home address are not shown on the public map.

Published book details, photos, the seller’s display name and region may be public. Your email address is not public. Your phone number is shared only with relevant buyers in contact and reservation flows when you permit it. You can withdraw permission in your profile at any time.

Reservation messages are visible only to the relevant buyer and seller. If you type a phone number or email address, we ask for extra confirmation before sharing it; these details are never added automatically from your account.

Your PostNL delivery address is used only in the shipping process between the relevant buyer and seller; it is not shown on your public profile or listing. The seller uses it to create a label and send the package.

8. Retention and security

We keep information while your account is active and as needed to provide the service. Some records may be kept longer for legal obligations, security or dispute resolution. We use access controls and provider security features, though no online system can guarantee absolute security.

9. Your rights

Under applicable data-protection law, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict processing or object. To request deletion of your account and related data, write from your registered email address to contact@kitapbuurt.com .

10. Email preferences

Community and update emails are optional. You can turn this preference on or off in your profile and use the unsubscribe link in every community email. Unsubscribing does not stop necessary emails about account verification, security, reservations, orders or message notifications.

11. Children’s privacy

Although KitapBuurt focuses on children’s books, accounts must be used by adults. We do not knowingly collect personal data directly from children. Contact us if you believe a child’s information has been shared.

12. Changes

We may update this policy as the service or legal requirements change. We publish the current version and its update date on this page.