The Legal Stuff
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Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 12/21/2023
Last Updated: 03/23/20261. Introduction
Align Ecommerce (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal and business information of our clients, partners, and website visitors.
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in compliance with applicable laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable.
2. Information We Collect
A. Information You Provide Directly
Full name
Business name and details
Email address
Phone number
Billing and banking information
Government-issued identification (for underwriting/compliance)
Merchant processing history and financial data
B. Automatically Collected Information
IP address
Browser type and device information
Pages visited and time spent
Referral URLs
Cookies and tracking data
C. Information from Third Parties
Banking partners and acquiring institutions
Credit bureaus and underwriting platforms
Fraud prevention and compliance tools (KYC, AML, OFAC screening providers)
3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data under the following legal bases:
Contractual Necessity: To provide payment processing and related services
Legal Obligations: Compliance with financial regulations, AML, KYC, and fraud prevention
Legitimate Interests: Business operations, risk mitigation, service improvement
Consent: For marketing communications (you may withdraw at any time)
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Provide merchant accounts and payment processing services
Conduct underwriting, risk assessment, and compliance checks
Prevent fraud, chargebacks, and unauthorized activity
Communicate with you regarding services and support
Improve website functionality and performance
Send marketing communications (with opt-out rights)
5. Sharing and Disclosure of Information
We do not sell personal information.
We may share information with:
A. Financial & Processing Partners
Sponsor banks and acquiring institutions
Payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
Payment gateways and processors
B. Service Providers
Cloud hosting and infrastructure providers
CRM and communication platforms
Analytics providers
Identity verification and compliance vendors
C. Legal & Regulatory Authorities
Government agencies, regulators, or law enforcement when required
To comply with subpoenas, legal processes, or regulatory obligations
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
Analyze website traffic and performance
Enhance user experience
Support marketing and remarketing efforts
You may manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
7. Your Privacy Rights (California – CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the following rights:
A. Right to Know
You may request disclosure of:
Categories of personal information collected
Sources of that information
Purpose for collecting or sharing
Categories of third parties receiving the data
B. Right to Access
You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
C. Right to Delete
You may request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements (e.g., financial compliance obligations).
D. Right to Correct
You may request correction of inaccurate personal information.
E. Right to Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing
We do not sell personal information.
If applicable in the future, you will have the right to opt out of such activity.F. Right to Non-Discrimination
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
How to Exercise Your Rights
To submit a request, contact:
[Insert Email]
[Insert Phone or Web Form URL]We may verify your identity before fulfilling requests.
8. Your Privacy Rights (GDPR – EEA Users)
If you are located in the EEA, you have the right to:
Access your personal data
Rectify inaccurate data
Erase your data (“Right to be Forgotten”)
Restrict Processing
Data Portability
Object to Processing
Withdraw Consent at any time
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
To exercise your rights, contact:
[Insert Email Address]9. Data Retention
We retain personal information:
As long as necessary to provide services
To comply with financial, legal, and regulatory obligations (including AML/KYC requirements)
To resolve disputes and enforce agreements
10. Data Security
We implement industry-standard safeguards, including:
Encryption of sensitive data
Secure servers and infrastructure
Access controls and authentication protocols
Continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities
Despite these measures, no system is completely secure.
11. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions where our partners operate.
Where required, we implement safeguards such as:
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
Data processing agreements with vendors
12. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
13. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
14. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Updates will be posted with a revised “Last Updated” date.
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Terms of Service
Effective Date: 12/21/2023
Last Updated: 03/23/20261. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the Align Ecommerce website (“Site”) or services (“Services”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree, you may not access or use our Services.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you (“User,” “Merchant,” or “you”) and Align Ecommerce (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).
2. Description of Services
Align Ecommerce provides payment processing solutions, merchant account placement, consulting, and related financial technology services.
We act as:
A facilitator between merchants and acquiring banks
A service provider for payment infrastructure and support
A compliance and risk advisory partner
We are not a bank, payment network, or card issuer.
3. Eligibility
To use our Services, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Operate a legally registered business
Provide accurate and complete information
Not be listed on any prohibited or sanctions lists (including OFAC)
We reserve the right to deny or terminate service at our discretion.
4. Merchant Responsibilities
By using our Services, you agree to:
Provide truthful, accurate, and complete application information
Maintain compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Adhere to card network rules (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
Maintain transparent billing and refund practices
Monitor and manage chargeback ratios
You are solely responsible for your business operations, customer interactions, and fulfillment of goods/services.
5. Underwriting & Approval
All merchant accounts are subject to:
Underwriting review
Approval by acquiring banks and financial institutions
Ongoing monitoring and risk assessment
Approval is not guaranteed, and terms (rates, reserves, processing limits) may vary based on risk profile.
6. Fees & Payment Terms
Fees may include, but are not limited to:
Transaction processing fees
Monthly service fees
Chargeback and dispute fees
Gateway or platform fees
All fees will be disclosed in your merchant agreement or pricing schedule.
Failure to pay fees may result in suspension or termination of Services.
7. Chargebacks & Disputes
You acknowledge that:
Chargebacks are governed by card network rules
Excessive chargebacks may result in penalties, monitoring programs, or account termination
You are financially responsible for all chargebacks, fees, and associated losses
Align Ecommerce may assist with chargeback management, but we do not guarantee outcomes.
8. Prohibited Activities
You agree not to use our Services for:
Illegal products or services
Fraudulent or deceptive business practices
Unauthorized transactions or card testing
Activities that violate card network rules
Businesses on restricted or prohibited lists
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts engaging in prohibited activities.
9. Reserves, Holds, and Risk Mitigation
To manage financial risk, we or our banking partners may:
Establish rolling or fixed reserves
Delay or hold funds
Suspend processing activity
Terminate accounts
These actions may occur without prior notice if risk thresholds are exceeded.
10. Third-Party Relationships
Our Services rely on third parties, including:
Acquiring banks
Payment processors and gateways
Card networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
We are not responsible for:
Decisions made by these third parties
Downtime, interruptions, or service limitations caused by them
11. Intellectual Property
All content on this Site, including:
Logos
Branding
Text and graphics
are the property of Align Ecommerce and may not be used without written permission.
12. Confidentiality
You agree to maintain confidentiality of:
Pricing structures
Banking relationships
Proprietary processes
We also take reasonable measures to protect your information as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
13. Disclaimers
Services are provided “as is” and “as available.”
We make no guarantees regarding:
Approval for merchant accounts
Processing volume or revenue outcomes
Chargeback success rates
Continuous, uninterrupted service
14. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Align Ecommerce shall not be liable for:
Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
Loss of revenue, profits, or business opportunities
Data loss or system interruptions
Our total liability shall not exceed the fees paid to us in the preceding 3 months.
15. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Align Ecommerce from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from:
Your business operations
Violation of these Terms
Non-compliance with laws or regulations
Customer disputes or chargebacks
16. Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access to Services at any time, with or without notice, for:
Violation of these Terms
Excessive risk or chargebacks
Regulatory or compliance concerns
Upon termination:
Outstanding balances remain due
Funds may be held to cover potential liabilities
17. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to conflict of law principles.
18. Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved through:
Good faith negotiation first
Binding arbitration in Nevada, if unresolved
You waive the right to participate in class action lawsuits.
19. Changes to Terms
We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of Services constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
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Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Effective Date: 12/21/2023
Last Updated: 03/23/20261. Overview
This Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) outlines prohibited and restricted activities for merchants using Align Ecommerce’s services.
By using our Services, you agree to comply with this AUP, applicable laws, and all card network rules (including Visa and Mastercard).
2. Prohibited Activities
The following business types and activities are strictly prohibited and may not use Align Ecommerce’s services under any circumstances:
Illegal or Fraudulent Activities
Sale of illegal goods or services
Fraud, deception, or misrepresentation
Unauthorized use of payment credentials
Money laundering or financial crimes
High-Risk or Restricted Financial Schemes
Pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing programs lack legitimate products
Get-rich-quick schemes or deceptive income claims
Unauthorized lending or unlicensed financial services
Intellectual Property Violations
Sale of counterfeit or infringing goods
Unauthorized use of trademarks or copyrighted material
Adult Content (Restricted Cases)
Illegal adult content
Non-consensual or exploitative material
3. Restricted Businesses (Case-by-Case Approval)
The following industries may be supported only with enhanced underwriting and compliance review:
Firearms, ammunition, and tactical equipment
CBD, hemp-derived products, and supplements
Nutraceuticals, peptides, and wellness products
Subscription-based businesses
Digital goods and online memberships
Ticketing, events, and nightlife businesses
Telehealth and online medical services
Approval is not guaranteed and may require additional documentation, reserves, or monitoring.
4. Card Network Compliance
Merchants must comply with all applicable rules set forth by:
Visa
Mastercard
Card brand operating regulations
This includes:
Clear billing descriptors
Transparent refund and cancellation policies
Proper disclosure of recurring billing terms
Accurate marketing and product representation
5. Chargeback Thresholds
Merchants must maintain acceptable chargeback ratios.
Excessive chargebacks may result in:
Monitoring program placement (e.g., Visa monitoring programs)
Increased fees or reserves
Suspension or termination of processing
6. Monitoring and Enforcement
Align Ecommerce and its partners reserve the right to:
Monitor transactions and merchant activity
Request additional documentation
Suspend or terminate accounts for violations
Report suspicious activity to financial institutions or regulators
7. Updates to This Policy
We may update this AUP at any time. Continued use of our Services constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
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Merchant account approvals are subject to underwriting by our banking partners. While Align Ecommerce specializes in placing both standard and high-risk businesses, approval is not guaranteed and terms may vary based on risk profile, processing history, and industry.