This ID Verification Policy ("Policy") explains how ad18.ca ("AD18," "the Platform," "we," "us," or "our") may collect, use, disclose, store, protect, and delete identity verification information.

This Policy supplements the AD18 Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and any other policies referenced on the Platform.

Identity verification is used to support age confirmation, trust, fraud prevention, safety, moderation, compliance, and Platform integrity.

By using the Platform or submitting identity verification information, you agree to this Policy.

AD18 is intended only for users who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, or the age of majority in their province or territory, whichever is greater.

All users must confirm they are 18+ before using the Platform.

Identity verification is optional at launch unless otherwise required by AD18 for a specific user, category, risk review, support request, compliance check, suspected abuse, or future Platform feature.

Users who successfully complete identity verification may receive a Verified badge or other trust indicator.

Verification does not guarantee that an ad will be approved, published, ranked higher, or remain live. All ads remain subject to automated scanning, manual review, moderation, payment processor requirements, and Platform policies.

AD18 may require identity verification in certain circumstances, including:

• Suspected fraud, abuse, impersonation, or account evasion
• Suspected policy violations
• High-risk posting activity
• Repeated reports or enforcement history
• Category-specific compliance requirements
• Payment, refund, chargeback, or account-security review
• Legal, regulatory, safety, or payment processor requirements
• Future Platform features where verification is required

Failure to complete required verification may result in restricted posting, removal of Verified status, account limitation, ad removal, payment review, or account suspension.

Where verification is offered or required, users may be asked to submit:

• A valid government-issued photo ID
• A selfie or liveness check
• Age confirmation
• Identity metadata
• Consent confirmation
• Additional information reasonably required to complete the verification review

Verification may be completed using automated tools, third-party verification providers, manual review, or a combination of these methods.

Verification may confirm whether the submitted identity information appears valid, whether the user appears to meet the age requirement, and whether the submitted selfie or liveness check matches the submitted ID.

Review times may vary. AD18 does not guarantee verification within a specific time period.

AD18 may use verification information for the following purposes:

• Confirming age eligibility
• Confirming identity
• Issuing or removing Verified status
• Preventing fraud, impersonation, duplicate accounts, and ban evasion
• Supporting moderation, safety, and compliance reviews
• Investigating suspected policy violations
• Responding to legal, regulatory, payment processor, or law enforcement requirements
• Protecting users, the Platform, and third parties from abuse or harm

Verification information is not used for marketing or unrelated advertising purposes.

Government-issued ID, selfie, liveness, and biometric-related verification data may be considered sensitive personal information.

Where required, users must provide express consent before submitting identity verification information.

By submitting verification information, you confirm that the information is accurate, belongs to you, and is provided voluntarily unless verification is required as a condition of continued Platform access or use.

You may withdraw consent where legally permitted. Withdrawing consent may result in removal of Verified status, loss of verification-related features, restricted posting ability, or additional review.

Withdrawal of consent does not require AD18 to delete records that must be retained for legal, tax, fraud prevention, safety, payment, moderation, dispute, or compliance purposes.

AD18 may use third-party identity verification providers to process verification information.

These providers may collect, process, store, or review identity information on AD18's behalf or according to their own legal and compliance obligations.

AD18 takes reasonable steps to work with providers that use appropriate privacy and security safeguards.

Users should review any provider notices or consent language presented during the verification process.

AD18 uses safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of identity verification information, which may include:

• Encryption in transit
• Encryption at rest where supported
• Restricted access
• Role-based access controls
• Least-privilege permissions
• Audit logging
• Secure storage controls
• Access limited to authorized personnel or approved verification providers
• Monitoring for unauthorized access or misuse

No system is completely secure. AD18 cannot guarantee absolute security, but we use measures designed to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or misuse.

AD18 retains identity verification information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer period is required or permitted by law.

Where technically and legally possible:

• ID images and selfies are deleted promptly after verification is complete
• Verification decision records, metadata, consent records, audit logs, and compliance records may be retained while the account is active and for a reasonable period after account closure
• Certain records may be retained longer where needed for fraud prevention, account security, moderation, payment disputes, legal compliance, law enforcement requests, or safety investigations

Users may request deletion of verification information by contacting privacy@ad18.ca.

Deletion requests are subject to lawful retention requirements and may result in removal of Verified status or loss of verification-related features.

Users must ensure that all identity verification information submitted to AD18 or its verification providers is accurate, current, complete, and belongs to them.

The following are prohibited:

• Submitting false, altered, stolen, or fraudulent identity documents
• Submitting another person's ID
• Using fake, manipulated, AI-generated, or misleading selfies
• Attempting to bypass liveness or verification checks
• Impersonating another person
• Creating accounts to evade verification, bans, or enforcement

Misuse of the verification process may result in denial of verification, removal of Verified status, ad removal, account suspension, permanent ban, preservation of records, or referral to law enforcement.

Users who believe verification was wrongly denied may contact AD18 support.

Appeals may require additional information or a new verification submission.

AD18 may approve, deny, or request further review at its discretion.

Verified status is not guaranteed.

Where Quebec privacy law applies, AD18 treats identity verification information as sensitive personal information.

AD18 takes steps intended to support compliance with Quebec Law 25, including:

• Obtaining express consent where required
• Maintaining consent and access records where appropriate
• Limiting access to authorized personnel or providers
• Applying safeguards appropriate to sensitive information
• Conducting privacy assessments where required for high-risk verification activities
• Providing Privacy Officer oversight

Privacy questions may be directed to privacy@ad18.ca.

AD18 may disclose verification information where required or permitted by law, including in response to valid subpoenas, court orders, law enforcement requests, regulatory requests, payment processor investigations, or legal obligations.

AD18 may also preserve or disclose information where necessary to address suspected minors, exploitation, trafficking, fraud, imminent harm, credible threats, account abuse, or serious safety risks.

AD18 may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, verification providers, Platform operations, categories, features, or compliance requirements.

The "Last Updated" date indicates the current version.

Continued use of the Platform after an updated Policy is posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

For privacy questions, verification data requests, deletion requests, or complaints, contact:

Privacy Officer - AD18 privacy@ad18.ca

For general support, contact:

AD18 Support support@ad18.ca