PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: June 2025

1. About This Policy

Payone ("we", "us", "our") is a Canadian payment solutions provider specialising in Interac e-Transfer processing for businesses including cryptocurrency OTC desks, e-commerce merchants, and other online platforms. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal and business information in the course of providing our payment services. We are committed to complying with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide payment processing services and meet our legal and regulatory obligations. This includes:

  • Business information: Company name, business registration number, address, beneficial ownership details, and industry type
  • Personal identification: Name, date of birth, government-issued ID (for KYC/KYB compliance), email address, and phone number
  • Financial data: Bank account details, transaction history, settlement records, and Interac e-Transfer references
  • Technical data: IP address, device type, browser information, and access logs
  • Communications: Support requests, correspondence, and feedback you provide to us

3. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect and use your information for the following purposes:

  • Processing Interac e-Transfer transactions and settling funds to merchant accounts
  • Conducting KYC (Know Your Customer) and KYB (Know Your Business) identity verification
  • Meeting AML (Anti-Money Laundering) obligations and FINTRAC reporting requirements under Canadian law
  • Detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud or suspicious transaction activity
  • Managing your merchant account and providing customer support
  • Sending transactional communications (settlement reports, receipts, alerts)
  • Complying with legal obligations, regulatory requests, or court orders

4. Interac Transactions and Financial Data

As an Interac payment processor, we handle sensitive financial transaction data on behalf of our merchants. Transaction details — including sender information, transfer amounts, and Interac reference numbers — are processed and stored in accordance with applicable Canadian financial regulations. This data is used solely for settlement, reconciliation, dispute resolution, and regulatory reporting. Payone does not sell, rent, or share transaction data with third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Cryptocurrency and OTC Market Merchants

Merchants operating in the cryptocurrency and digital asset space (including OTC desks) are subject to enhanced due diligence as required under PCMLTFA and FINTRAC guidance. Information collected during onboarding and ongoing monitoring — including transaction volumes, customer identification records, and source of funds documentation — may be retained and reported to regulators where required by law. Payone does not store or manage cryptocurrency wallets or digital assets; our role is limited to facilitating the CAD Interac payment leg of transactions.

6. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal or business information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

  • Service providers: Trusted third-party vendors (hosting, fraud detection, identity verification) under strict data processing agreements
  • Financial institutions: Banks and payment networks as required to process and settle Interac transactions
  • Regulators and law enforcement: FINTRAC, CRA, law enforcement, or other authorities where required or permitted by Canadian law
  • Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, subject to equivalent privacy protections

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organisational security measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit and at rest, role-based access controls, and regular security assessments. While we take every reasonable precaution, no system is completely immune to security risks. In the event of a data breach affecting your information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal and business information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfil our legal obligations. Specifically:

  • Transaction and financial records are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years in accordance with Canadian tax and AML regulations
  • KYC/KYB identity verification records are retained for a minimum of five (5) years after the end of the business relationship, as required by FINTRAC
  • Account data is retained for the duration of the merchant relationship and for a defined period thereafter

9. Cookies and Website Data

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to maintain session state, analyse traffic, and improve your browsing experience. We do not use cookies to track you across third-party websites for advertising purposes. You may adjust cookie preferences through your browser settings; however, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

10. Your Rights

Under PIPEDA and applicable Canadian privacy law, you have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Withdraw consent for non-essential uses (subject to legal and contractual limitations)
  • Make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

Please note that certain information may be exempt from access or deletion requests where retention is required by law (e.g. AML/FINTRAC records). To exercise your rights, contact us via our Contact page.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations, or industry best practices. Material changes will be communicated via email or a notice on our website. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was most recently revised.

13. Contact Us

For privacy-related inquiries, requests, or complaints, please contact our Privacy Officer via our Contact page or email support@payone.ca.