1. Who We Are
BizLinx AI, Inc. ("BizLinx," "we," "our," or "us") operates the website at https://bizlinxai.com and related services (collectively, the "Platform"). BizLinx is an AI-powered business ownership marketplace that connects buyers, sellers, franchisors, and professional partners for M&A transactions and franchise opportunities.
We are a United States-based company. Our registered office is in the United States. If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us at privacy@bizlinxai.com.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information you provide directly to us, information collected automatically when you use the Platform, and information from third-party sources.
Information you provide directly:
- Account information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, password hash, and role (buyer, seller, franchisor, or partner).
- Profile information: Depending on your role, we may collect business name, asking price, annual revenue, industry, location, description, and other details about your business or investment criteria.
- Payment information: If you purchase a product or subscription, we collect payment details (processed and stored by Stripe). BizLinx does not store raw payment card numbers.
- Communications: When you contact us or communicate with other users through the Platform, we collect the content of those communications.
- FDD information: Franchisors may submit Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) data as part of their listing. This may include financial performance representations and other FDD Item 19 data.
Information collected automatically:
- Usage data: We collect information about how you interact with the Platform, including pages visited, features used, time spent, and referring URLs.
- Device information: We collect device type, browser, OS version, IP address, and unique device identifiers.
- Cookies and tracking: See Section 5 (Cookies) for details.
3. How We Use It
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Provide our services: To operate the Platform, process transactions, match buyers and sellers, generate AI scores and reports, and facilitate communications between users.
- Account management: To create and maintain your account, verify your identity, and communicate with you about your account.
- AI scoring and analysis: To generate FranScore™ and Partner Score™ reports using artificial intelligence. These scores are educational estimates only — see Section 10 (AI Disclosure).
- Improvements: To understand how users interact with the Platform and improve our features, services, and user experience.
- Communications: To send you transactional messages (account notifications, match alerts, deal room updates) and, with your consent, marketing communications.
- Legal compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal process, and to detect, investigate, and prevent fraud and abuse.
5. Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate the Platform and collect usage data.
What we use:
- Essential cookies: Required for authentication (JWT session cookies), security, and core platform functionality. These cannot be disabled.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users navigate the Platform so we can improve it. You can manage cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner.
- Marketing cookies: Used to deliver relevant ads on the Platform and across the web. You can opt out of marketing cookies via our consent banner or by contacting us.
You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie consent banner displayed on your first visit, or by contacting us at privacy@bizlinxai.com. Note that disabling essential cookies will prevent you from using the Platform.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and for legitimate business purposes, including:
- Account information is retained for the duration of your account plus 3 years after account closure.
- Transaction records (including payment receipts) are retained for 7 years as required by financial regulations.
- AI score reports (FranScore™, Partner Score™) are retained for 5 years for educational and audit purposes.
- Communications and messages within the Platform are retained for 3 years after the related deal is closed or the account is deactivated.
After these periods, we will delete or anonymize your information, except where retention is required by law.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., for legal compliance, transaction records).
- Portability: You can request a machine-readable copy of your data.
- Objection: You can object to certain processing activities, including direct marketing.
- Restriction: You can request that we restrict processing in certain circumstances.
- Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@bizlinxai.com. We will respond within 30 days. If you are located in the European Economic Area, UK, or California, you have additional rights under applicable law.
8. COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)
The Platform is not directed to children under 13 years of age. BizLinx does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@bizlinxai.com and we will take prompt steps to delete that information.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us using the information below.
9. Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit using TLS/SSL
- Password hashing using bcrypt (cost factor 12)
- JWT-based session management with HttpOnly cookies
- Access controls limiting employee access to necessary data
- Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning
No method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have concerns about the security of your account, contact us at security@bizlinxai.com.
10. AI Disclosure
BizLinx uses artificial intelligence to generate scores and reports, including FranScore™ and Partner Score™ ("AI Scores").
Important: AI Scores are generated using information you provide and publicly available data. They are educational estimates only — not investment advice, financial advice, legal advice, or a professional valuation. AI Scores do not constitute a guarantee of any franchise's performance, business's value, or investment outcome.
AI-generated content, including score explanations, dimension summaries, and improvement recommendations, may be inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. Always verify information independently and consult licensed professionals — including financial advisors, business brokers, attorneys, and CPAs — before making any investment, acquisition, or business decision.
BizLinx does not verify the accuracy of publicly available data used in AI Score generation. AI Scores reflect data available at the time of scoring and may change as new information becomes available.
For more information about how we use AI, contact ai@bizlinxai.com.
11. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or our data practices, please contact us:
- Email: privacy@bizlinxai.com
- Mail: BizLinx AI, Inc. — Privacy inquiries — [registered address]
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the relevant data protection authority in your jurisdiction.