Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Sotheby’s Auction (“Sotheby’s,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our users, including artists, consignors, buyers, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you use our platform, services, and auctions.
By accessing or using our services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
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2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information
We may collect the following personal data:
• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Billing and shipping address
• Government-issued identification (for verification)
• Payment information
• Bank or payout details
2.2 Account Information
When you create an account, we may collect:
• Username and password
• Profile information
• Auction participation history
• Consignment details
2.3 Technical Information
We may automatically collect:
• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device type
• Location data (approximate)
• Cookies and usage data
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3. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information to:
• Create and manage user accounts
• Process payments and payouts
• Facilitate auctions and transactions
• Provide customer support
• Verify identity and prevent fraud
• Send transaction notifications
• Improve our platform and services
• Comply with legal obligations
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4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal data based on:
• User consent
• Contractual necessity
• Legal obligations
• Legitimate business interests
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5. Sharing of Information
We may share your data with:
• Payment processors
• Shipping and logistics partners
• Identity verification providers
• Legal authorities when required by law
• Professional advisors (lawyers, auditors)
We do not sell personal data to advertisers or third parties.
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6. Data Storage and Security
We implement reasonable security measures, including:
• Encrypted payment processing
• Secure servers
• Access control and authentication
• Regular security monitoring
However, no system is completely secure, and users share data at their own risk.
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7. Data Retention
We retain personal information:
• As long as your account is active
• As required by financial or legal regulations
• For dispute resolution and enforcement
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8. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
• Access your data
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion
• Restrict processing
• Object to certain uses
• Request data portability
Requests may be submitted through our support channels.
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9. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies to:
• Maintain login sessions
• Improve user experience
• Analyze website performance
Users may disable cookies in their browser settings.
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10. Third-Party Links
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
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11. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors.
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12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.
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13. Contact Information
For privacy-related inquiries:
Email: privacy@sothebys-auction.com
Address: Sotheby’s Auction Compliance Office