Handshake Finance

Menu
Menu
Login
Menu
Login
Menu

DATA PROTECTION & PRIVACY POLICY (“POLICY”)

This document sets out the data protection and privacy policy (“Policy”) for Handshake Finance (“HF”), a product developed by Handshake Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Singapore UEN No. 202424769C) (“Handshake Technologies Pte Ltd”). Unless the context otherwise requires, references to Handshake Finance shall be construed as references to HF and vice versa. Please be assured that any personal data deposited into HF is not accessible by Handshake Finance or any of its affiliates, officers, or employees, and Handshake Finance does not collect, use or disclose personal data within the meaning of the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (“PDPA”). For other instances where your personal data is collected e.g. during account opening and registration, Handshake Finance is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable data protection legislation including the PDPA and EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). In such instances, this Policy sets out how such personal data is collected, used or disclosed in connection with and/or for the purposes of Handshake Finance’s business operations.

This Policy supplements but does not supersede or replace any previous consent which an Individual may have provided to Handshake Finance, nor does it affect any rights that Handshake Finance may have at law or otherwise in connection with the collection, use and/or disclosure of any personal data. The provisions relating to data protection and the PDPA found in our terms & conditions are hereby incorporated by reference in this clause. A copy of HF’s prevailing terms & conditions is available at www.handshake.finance .

Handshake Finance may from time to time update this Policy to ensure it is consistent with its business purposes or to accommodate future changes to applicable legal or regulatory requirements. All updates to this Policy will be published at www.handshake.finance (“HF Website“) and appropriate notifications of any material revisions will be published on the HF Website. Notifications may also be issued separately to relevant persons as may be determined by Handshake Finance. Subject to an Individual’s rights at law or otherwise, the prevailing terms of this Policy from time to time shall apply. By continuing their relationship with Handshake Finance after any changes have been introduced and published on the HF Website, Individuals shall be deemed to have accepted the updated Policy.

1. Definitions:

For purposes of this Policy:

 

“Individual” means a natural person, whether living or deceased and “Individuals” shall be
construed accordingly;

 

“Personal Data” means data that is capable of identifying an Individual, whether on its own or in
conjunction with other data accessible to Handshake Finance;

 

“Personnel” means any Individual engaged under a contract of service with Handshake Finance,
permanent or temporary employees as well as trainees and interns engaged by Handshake
Finance from time to time; and

 

“Sensitive Personal Data” includes data relating to race or ethnic origin, political opinions,
religions or similar, trade union membership, physical or mental health, sexual life or criminal
record.

 

2. Personal Data collected, used or disclosed by Handshake Finance

Handshake Finance will only collect, use or disclose Personal Data about an Individual which it reasonably considers necessary for the relevant purposes underlying such collection, use or disclosure, where such purposes are as notified in this Policy. If Handshake Finance requires to collect Personal Data for purposes other than as notified herein, such purposes will be notified to the Individual in question ahead of any collection, use or disclosure of the Personal Data. It is not our policy to seek Sensitive Personal Data, but if an Individual voluntarily provides us with Sensitive Personal Data for any reason, they shall be deemed to have consented to such collection, use or disclosure of such Sensitive Personal Data in accordance with the relevant provisions of the PDPA. Depending on the specific nature of an Individual’s interaction with Handshake Finance, Personal Data which Handshake Finance collects, uses or discloses concerning an Individual may variously include but is not limited to the following:

a. the Individual’s name, gender and contact particulars, including telephone number(s), residential/mailing address(es) and email address;

b. details of the Individual’s identification documents (such as, NRIC or passport numbers), and applicable visa or permits (such as employment pass, work permit, permanent residency status);

c. details of the Individual’s employment history and academic qualifications;

d. the name and contact particulars of the Individual’s next-of-kin;

e. the Individual’s network usage data and other information gathered automatically by our computer systems, including the Individual’s computer IP address, links visited and other activities conducted online or using our computer systems;

f. photographs and video or CCTV recordings of the Individual; and

g. other information which the Individual may provide to Handshake Finance, from time to time, in the course of such Individual’s interaction with Handshake Finance

3. How Handshake Finance collects, uses or discloses Personal Data

Handshake Finance is a Singapore-registered company providing offline and online escrow agency solutions. We collect Personal Data for the purpose of providing such services to our clients worldwide where we have a legitimate interest or other legal interest for collecting, using or disclosing such information.

Generally, Handshake Finance may collect Personal Data from an Individual in one or more of the following ways or circumstances:

a. when the Individual interacts with Handshake Finance’s Personnel via telephone calls, emails, or other correspondence and/or face-to-face interactions;

b. when the Individual visits Handshake Finance’s premises;

c. when the Individual specifically requests that Handshake Finance contact him or her or requests to be included in an email or any mailing list maintained by
Handshake Finance;

d. when the Individual responds to any request by Handshake Finance for the provision of Personal Data;

e. when Handshake Finance receives references or referrals from its business partners or other third parties;

f. when the Individual attends or participates in any event organised by Handshake Finance;

g. when the Individual voluntarily provides his or her Personal Data to Handshake Finance as a potential candidate for engagement;

h. when the Individual subscribes to Handshake Finance’ publication(s); and/or

i. when the Individual voluntarily provides his or her Personal Data to Handshake Finance for any other reason arising from or in connection with the ordinary course of business.

Handshake Finance may also compile data from searches of an Individual’s professional information publicly available via social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, company websites, the press or other publications as part of our research and assessment.

4. Purposes of collection, use and disclosure of Personal Data

Generally, Handshake Finance collects, uses and/or discloses Personal Data from Individuals for one or more of the following purposes:

A. Provision of services

a. administering and managing the Individual’s commercial relationship with Handshake Finance;

b. providing the Individual with information about services provided by Handshake Finance and/or the services provided by any external vendor that is providing services or products in partnership or collaboration with Handshake Finance;

c. responding to the Individual’s complaints, queries and/or requests;

d. facilitating and/or organising face-to-face or non-face-to-face interactions such as meetings, interviews or events; and

e. informing the Individual of changes and/or updates to Handshake Finance’ policies, terms and conditions and/or other administrative information.

B. Security measures

a. verifying the Individual’s identity, including without limitation via CCTV observation and/or recording; and

b. preventing, detecting and investigating fraud, misconduct, any unlawful action, omission or dispute, and whether or not there is any suspicion of the aforementioned.

C. General business operations of Handshake Finance

a. providing escrow agency services both offline and online;

b. operation and maintenance of web applications for escrow agency services, including without limitation documents, contacts and bank account information;

c. research and consulting;

d. administering and managing Handshake Finance’s commercial relationships with potential clients and partners; and;

e. satisfying or complying with any applicable rules, laws, regulations, codes of practice or guidelines which are binding on Handshake Finance (including but not limited to responding to regulatory complaints, disclosure to regulatory bodies and conducting audit checks, due diligence and investigations).

D. Managing Personnel

a. administering, managing and/or terminating Handshake Finance’s commercial relationships with Personnel;

b. evaluating the performance of Personnel;

c. undertaking staff training and quality assurance activities; and

d. providing Personnel with services, facilities and/or other benefits being offered or made available by Handshake Finance to such Personnel as well as information about such services, facilities and benefits.

E. Marketing

a. circulation of Handshake Finance’s publications or marketing information to an Individual;

b. dissemination of relevant marketing information to an Individual relating to services offered by Handshake Finance (whether through Handshake Finance or its business partners) which Handshake Finance thinks is or may be of benefit or interest to him/her via any means of contact previously provided to Handshake Finance.

F. Others

a. for transfer to third party data intermediaries to facilitate any of the aforesaid purposes;

b. for any purposes reasonably related to any of the above purposes; and

c. for any other purposes in relation to which Handshake Finance has specifically obtained the Individual’s consent.

5. Consent

Other than as provided for under applicable law or this Policy, Handshake Finance will not collect, use or disclose an Individual’s Personal Data without his or her express consent.

Handshake Finance will take reasonable steps to highlight the purposes relevant to an Individual, by appropriate means, before or during collection of the Personal Data from such Individual, including:

a. a via express provisions in contracts, application forms and/or registration forms to be signed with or provided to Handshake Finance;

b. via notifications on Handshake Finance’s websites (including without limitation, the HF Website); and

c. in the course of verbal communications

Where feasible, Handshake Finance will inform the Individual of purposes that are intrinsic to the relationship between Handshake Finance and the Individual, or to the provision of services to such Individual, as well as purposes that are optional.
In so far as any purpose(s) are intrinsic to the relationship or provision of services, Handshake Finance reserves the right to decline to engage in the relevant relationship or to provide the relevant services to the Individual if he or she does not consent to Handshake Finance’s collection, use or disclosure of his or her Personal Data for such purpose.
Individuals who:

a. voluntarily provide their Personal Data to Handshake Finance for the specified purposes;

b. use or access Handshake Finance’s website(s) or computer network;

c. enter Handshake Finance’s premises or use any of the facilities thereon; and/or

d. attend or participate in meetings, events or programmes organised by Handshake Finance will be deemed to agree and consent to Handshake Finance collecting, using and/or disclosing their Personal Data in the manner and for the purposes set forth in this Policy.

An Individual who provides Handshake Finance with Personal Data relating to a third party for any particular purpose, represents to Handshake Finance that he/she has obtained the consent of the relevant third party to Handshake Finance collecting, using or disclosing such Personal Data for the relevant purpose.
In so far as Handshake Finance collects Personal Data of an Individual from any third party(ies), Handshake Finance will take reasonable steps to inform the relevant third party(ies) of Handshake Finance’s purposes for collecting the Personal Data and to verify that consent to such disclosure from the Individual has been obtained by the relevant third party(ies) for the intended purpose.

6. Disclosure of Personal Data

In carrying out one or more of the above Purposes, Handshake Finance may be required to disclose Individuals’ Personal Data to the following third parties for one or more of the above Purposes:

a. Handshake Finance’s clients. We will only disclose what is necessary for providing our services and will obtain consent from an Individual before disclosing any Personal Data;

b. third party service providers or agents or external vendors that are providing services or products in partnership or collaboration with Handshake Finance;

c. Handshake Finance’s auditors and professional advisors;

d. any person to whom disclosure is permitted or required by law;

e. any permitted assigns;

f. any local or foreign regulatory body, government agency, statutory board, ministry, department or other government body and/or its officials; and/or

g. other parties with the Individual’s consent or at their direction.

7. Withdrawal of Consent

Any Individual who wishes to withdraw his or her consent to any collection, use or disclosure of their Personal Data by Handshake Finance as set out in this Policy may do so by contacting Handshake Finance’s Data Protection Officer at contact@handshake.finance
Depending on the extent to which an Individual withdraws consent to the collection, use or disclosure of his or her Personal Data by Handshake Finance, such withdrawal of consent may result in Handshake Finance’s inability to continue providing its services to the Individual and may be considered as a termination by the Individual of any agreement between Handshake Finance and the Individual. In such an event, Handshake Finance expressly reserves all its legal rights and remedies.
In so far as an Individual’s data is being collected through the use of cookies, the Individual may disable the use of cookies on his or her internet browser when accessing Handshake Finance’s website. However, this may result in the loss of functionality, restrict the Individual’s use of the website and/or delay or affect the way in which the website operates.

8. Verification of Personal Data & Notification of Changes

Where feasible, Handshake Finance will take reasonable steps to verify the accuracy of Personal Data received at the point of collection but Individuals remain primarily responsible for ensuring that all Personal Data provided by them to Handshake Finance is complete and accurate. Information voluntarily provided by an Individual to Handshake Finance shall prima facie be deemed to be complete and accurate.
Handshake Finance will also take reasonable steps to periodically verify Personal Data in its possession, taking into account the exigencies of its operations, but Individuals are nonetheless responsible for notifying Handshake Finance, from time to time, of any applicable changes to such Personal Data. For the avoidance of doubt, an Individual may request for a correction of its Personal Data at any time by reaching out to the relevant Personnel or through Handshake Finance’s Data Protection Officer.
Handshake Finance shall not be held liable for any inability on its part to provide services to an Individual who fails to ensure that his or her Personal Data submitted to Handshake Finance is complete and accurate or who fails to notify Handshake Finance of any relevant changes to such Personal Data.

9. Protection of Personal Data

Handshake Finance makes reasonable physical and technical security arrangements to prevent unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal or similar risks to Personal Data in its possession and ensures its Personnel are equipped with the necessary skills and training to support this.
If Handshake Finance transfers Personal Data outside Singapore, Handshake Finance takes reasonable steps to ensure that such Personal Data transferred receives a standard of protection comparable to the protection required under PDPA and GDPR and such transfer shall be subject to this Policy. Handshake Finance strives to ensure that third parties who receive Personal Data from Handshake Finance protect such Personal Data in a manner consistent with this Policy and not use such Personal Data for any purposes other than those specified by Handshake Finance, by subjecting these third parties to comparable data protection and security obligations. Handshake Finance is not responsible in any way for the security and/or management of Personal Data shared by Individuals with third party websites which may be accessible via links on Handshake Finance’s website.

10. Contacting Handshake Finance-Access and Correction of Personal Data

Any Individual who:

a. has questions or feedback relating to this Policy; and/or

b. would like to obtain access to his or her Personal Data held by Handshake Finance; and/or

c. would like to obtain information about the ways in which his or her Personal Data held by Handshake Finance has been or may have been used or disclosed by Handshake Finance in the year preceding the request; and/or

d. would like to update or make corrections to his or her Personal Data held by Handshake Finance; and/or

e. would like to exercise other rights he or she has under applicable legislation, such as the right to restrict/block, object, erase, move, copy or transfer his or her Personal Data held by Handshake Finance; and/or

f. would like to revoke consent to any applicable aspect of this Policy,

should contact Handshake Finance’s Data Protection Officer at contact@handshake.finance

Individuals should note that Handshake Finance is not required, under the PDPA, to provide access and correction to Personal Data in certain exempted situations as set out in the PDPA.
The PDPA allows and Handshake Finance reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for the handling and/or processing of access requests by an Individual pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) above.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Policy including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by the Courts of Singapore.
Scroll to Top