Skip to content

LISTING DISPLAY AND PRIVACY policy HELP PAGE

In these guidelines:

  • I am building an application that displays eBay listings for buyers to bid on or buy. How can I help make sure that these listings include the minimum information that must be communicated to buyers before a sale?
  • How can I help make sure that my application is consistent with eBay’s privacy policy and the privacy obligations in the eBay Developers Program & API License Agreement?

I am building an application that displays eBay listings for buyers to bid on or buy. How can I help make sure that these listings include the minimum information that must be communicated to buyers before a sale?

Before users can bid on or buy an item, they must have easy access to sufficient information about the item, the price and the seller. All information must be quickly and easily accessible to the user. If links are used, the links must be labeled clearly so that the user knows where he can find certain information. For example, your application must:

  1. Accurately describe the item.
    • Show the title of the listing, an accurate item description and a picture, if the original listing includes any pictures.
  2. Give accurate pricing information.
    • Price. Identify whether the listing is fixed-price or auction-style. Disclose the fixed price or the highest bid and the time left to bid or buy.
    • Shipping. Display the shipping cost, if available through the API. When users haven’t logged in, the application should convey that the shipping cost varies on postal code.
    • Payments. List all payment methods accepted by the seller.
  3. Identify the seller and provide business sellers’ contact information where legally required.
    • Make it clear to the user that the seller is responsible for the item, not eBay.
    • Provide at least the seller’s user ID. In certain countries, it may be legally required to provide the business sellers’ contact information, return policy and applicable terms and conditions, if available through the API.
  4. Include any steps necessary to make the purchase valid and binding under applicable laws.
    • Some countries require a “review and confirm” step before a bid or transaction becomes binding. Make sure you comply with laws applicable in countries where you distribute your application.

How can I help make sure that my application is consistent with eBay’s privacy policy and the privacy obligations of the eBay Developers Program & API License Agreement?

The following steps, included in your privacy policy and followed in your privacy practices, can help keep your application consistent with the privacy requirements of the eBay Developers Program & API License Agreement.

  1. Make your Privacy Policy recognizable, understandable and readily accessible.
    Tips:
    • Provide your Privacy Policy in a format that is printable, searchable and save-able.
    • Use plain, straightforward language. Avoid technical or legal jargon.
    • Give your Privacy Policy a descriptive title containing the word “privacy.” Include this title in every link to the Privacy Policy, in legible type designed to draw attention to its significance.
    • Post your Privacy Policy on your website and make it available within your application. At a minimum, a link to the Privacy Policy must be available from the installation flow, on the home page or screen, and on every page or screen where you collect personal information.
  2. Describe the kinds of personal information you collect and how you collect them.
    • Be reasonably specific in describing the kinds of personal information you collect, with at least the categories of information you collect and examples within these categories.
    • Disclose whether you collect personal information from sources other than your customers (for example, information that you get from eBay).
    • Disclose whether you collect personal information through web technologies such as cookies or web beacons.
  3. Explain how you use and share personal information.
    • Explain uses of personal information, including to fulfill the user’s request and any uses beyond what is necessary to fulfill the request.
      • Get explicit user consent if you plan to use information for any purpose other than to fulfill the user’s request.
    • List the other entities (or categories of entities) you share information with, including affiliates, vendors, the public or any other third parties.
      • Make sure to disclose that you share information with eBay.
      • Get explicit user consent if you plan to share information for any purpose other than to fulfill the user’s request.
  4. Explain how you will communicate with or market to users, and what their choices are about such uses.
    • Explain all reasons and methods by which you may communicate with users, including marketing communications and non-marketing reasons for contacting customers, such as product safety or customer service.
    • If you plan to send marketing communications to users, get explicit user consent to do so and give users a simple, effective way to opt out later if they choose.
    • Respect your customers’ preferences by keeping records of preferences and ensuring that they are always honored.
  5. Offer users the opportunity to review and correct their personal information.
    • Explain how users can review, correct or delete the personal information you hold about them.
    • Make sure to give users the opportunity to opt out of your collection and processing of personal information about them.
    • Before providing customers access to their personal information, be sure to properly verify their identity.
  6. Explain how you protect your customers’ personal information from unauthorized or illegal access.
    • Give a general description of the security measures you use to safeguard personal information, but not in such detail as to compromise your security
  7. Tell your customers whom they can contact with questions or concerns about your Privacy Policy or privacy practices.
    • Give at least a title and e-mail or postal address of a company official who will respond to privacy questions or concerns.
    • Train staff to recognize an inquiry about privacy.
  8. Give the effective date of your Privacy Policy and tell users how you will update it.
    • Explain how you will notify customers about material changes to your Privacy Policy.

You can find more information about privacy programs or assistance in creating a Privacy Policy from some of the following organizations: