Privacy Policy

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information Unbound Artist Awards collects, how we use it, and what rights you have over your data. We collect only what we need to run the competition and communicate with you.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information. When you register, we collect your email address, display name, country, website URL (optional), Instagram handle (optional), and bio (optional).

2.2 Submission Data. When you enter a competition, we collect your uploaded artwork image (one per submission), submission metadata (competition entered, date, category), and payment records (transaction reference and amount; full card details are handled by our payment processor and not stored by us).

2.3 Usage Data. We may collect basic technical information such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited. This is used for platform security and performance only.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account
• Process competition entries and entry fees
• Run AI-detection screening on submitted images
• Communicate competition results, finalist announcements, and winner notifications
• Send email updates about upcoming open calls (you may opt out at any time)
• Display finalist and winner work in our public exhibition archive
• Improve the platform and diagnose technical issues

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not use your data for advertising targeting.

4. Image Storage

Submitted artwork images are stored on DigitalOcean Spaces, a cloud object storage and CDN service. Finalist and winner images may be stored and displayed indefinitely as part of the public exhibition archive. Non-winning submissions are retained for a period sufficient to support any disputes, after which they may be deleted.

5. Third-Party Services

5.1 AI-Detection Screening. All submitted images are screened using Hive AI, a third-party AI-content detection service. Images are transmitted to Hive AI solely for screening purposes.

5.2 Payment Processing. Entry fees are processed through a third-party payment provider. We receive a transaction reference and confirmation of payment but do not store your full card credentials.

5.3 Email Communications. We use a third-party email service to send transactional and notification emails. Your email address is shared with this provider only for delivering messages from us.

6. Public Display

If your submission is selected as a finalist or winner, your artwork and the following profile information will be displayed publicly: display name, country, website URL (if provided), Instagram handle (if provided), and bio (if provided). By entering a competition, you acknowledge this.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you request deletion, we will remove your personal data within 30 days, subject to the following exceptions:

• Finalist and winner artwork and profile information may be retained in the exhibition archive indefinitely. Contact us if you wish to request removal.
• Records required for legal or accounting purposes may be retained for up to seven (7) years.
• Non-winning submission images are retained only as long as needed for competition administration and dispute resolution, and are periodically removed thereafter as part of routine housekeeping.

8. Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal data:

• Access — Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
• Correction — Update inaccurate information in your account settings or by contacting us.
• Deletion — Request that we delete your account and associated data, subject to retention exceptions in Section 7.
• Opt-out of non-essential emails — Open-call announcements and results emails include a one-click unsubscribe link. This uses the same preference as the toggle in your dashboard, and does not affect essential account emails like password resets. You may also contact us directly.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at info@unboundartistawards.com.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data. However, no internet transmission or storage system is completely secure. You use the platform at your own risk, and we encourage you to use a strong, unique password for your account.

10. Children's Privacy

Unbound Artist Awards is not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has registered an account, please contact us and we will remove it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If changes are material, we will notify registered users by email.

12. Contact

For questions, requests, or concerns about your privacy:
Unbound Artist Awards
info@unboundartistawards.com