Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 2026

At LocalBitcoins, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data.

Table of Contents

1

Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our P2P Bitcoin trading services.

Personal Information

  • Email address for account registration
  • Full name and date of birth for identity verification
  • Government-issued ID documents for KYC compliance
  • Proof of address documents
  • Verification selfies

Transaction Information

  • Bitcoin wallet addresses and transaction history
  • Trade details including amounts, prices, and payment methods
  • Communication with trading partners through our platform
  • Dispute records and resolution information

Technical Information

  • Operating system and application version
  • Basic device configuration
  • Connection and network status
  • Diagnostic information when needed for troubleshooting
2

How We Use Your Information

Your information is used exclusively for the purposes outlined below.

Account Management

Creating and maintaining your account, verifying your identity, and providing customer support.

Security and Fraud Prevention

Detecting and preventing fraudulent activities, ensuring platform security, and protecting user funds.

Transaction Processing

Facilitating Bitcoin trades and managing escrow between users.

Legal Compliance

Meeting regulatory requirements, anti-money laundering obligations, and responding to legal requests.

3

Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We only share data in the following limited circumstances:

With Trading Partners

Your username, feedback score, and trading history are visible to other users to facilitate trust in the P2P marketplace.

Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform, such as cloud hosting, cloud hosting, identity verification, analytics, and infrastructure services.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, such as responding to court orders, government requests, or to comply with legal obligations.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity.

4

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information and Bitcoin holdings.

AES-256 encryption for all sensitive data at rest
TLS/SSL encryption for data transmission
Multi-signature Bitcoin wallets for escrow protection
Two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts
Secure account monitoring
Encrypted communications
5

Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access

Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you.

Correction

Update or correct inaccurate personal information in your account.

Deletion

Request deletion of your account and associated data, subject to legal requirements.

Portability

Export your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.

Objection

Object to certain processing activities of your personal information.

Restriction

Request restriction of processing under certain circumstances.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer at privacy@localbitcoins.com

6

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience and analyze platform usage.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required

Necessary for the platform to function properly, including authentication and security features.

Functional Cookies

Optional

Remember your preferences and settings to provide a personalized experience.

Analytics Cookies

Optional

Help us understand how users interact with our platform to improve functionality and user experience.

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

7

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy.

  • Active Accounts: Data is retained while your account remains active and for a reasonable period afterward.
  • Transaction Records: Trade information is retained for 7 years to comply with financial regulations and anti-money laundering laws.
  • Identity Verification: KYC documents are retained for 7 years after account closure as required by law.
  • Communication Logs: Support tickets and trade messages are retained for 3 years for dispute resolution purposes.
  • Marketing Data: If you opt out of marketing communications, your contact information is removed from marketing lists within 30 days.

After the retention period expires, we securely delete or anonymize your data.

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes via email or through a prominent notice on our platform. Your continued use of LocalBitcoins after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.