Security & Compliance

Your data security and privacy are our top priorities

Security Measures

🔒 Data Encryption

All data transmitted to and from Circles is encrypted using industry-standard TLS 1.3 encryption. Data at rest is encrypted using AES-256 encryption. Your financial information is protected with bank-level security standards.

🛡️ Secure Infrastructure

Circles is built on Google Cloud Platform (Firebase), which provides enterprise-grade security, redundancy, and compliance certifications including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS. Our infrastructure is monitored 24/7 for security threats.

👤 Authentication & Access Control

We use Firebase Authentication with multi-factor authentication (MFA) support. All user actions are logged in audit trails. Circle admins control member access and permissions. We never share your data with third parties without your explicit consent.

💳 Payment Security

All payments are processed through Stripe, a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. We never store your full credit card numbers or bank account details. Stripe handles all payment data securely and is licensed and regulated.

🔍 KYC Verification

All Circle members must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification before participating in financial activities. This helps prevent fraud and ensures compliance with regulations.

Compliance

Regulatory Compliance

Circles operates as a financial platform, not a bank or licensed financial services provider. We use licensed partners (Stripe, Plaid) for payment processing and bank account linking. We comply with applicable financial regulations and work with legal counsel to ensure ongoing compliance.

Form 8300 Reporting

For transactions over $10,000, we assist Circles in understanding Form 8300 reporting requirements. Circle admins are responsible for compliance with IRS reporting requirements. We provide tools to track large transactions and generate reports.

Tax Documentation

We provide tools to generate tax documents (1099, K-1 forms) for Circle activities. However, each Circle is responsible for its own tax compliance. We recommend consulting with a tax professional for complex situations.

Privacy

Data Ownership

You own your data. You can export all your Circle data at any time. We never sell your personal information to third parties. Your Circle data is only accessible to members of your Circle and our support team (when you request help).

GDPR Compliance

We comply with GDPR and other data protection regulations. You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. Contact us at [email protected] for data requests.

Third-Party Services

We use trusted third-party services (Stripe, Plaid, Firebase) that are licensed and regulated. These services have their own privacy policies and security measures. We only share data necessary for service operation.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Circles is NOT FDIC insured. We are not a bank, and your funds are not insured by the FDIC. Your Circle's funds are managed by your Circle members.
We are NOT a bank or money transmitter. We use licensed partners (Stripe) for payment processing. We provide platform tools; you make your own financial decisions.
We do NOT provide investment advice. All investment decisions are made by your Circle members. Consult with licensed financial professionals for advice.
Each Circle is responsible for its own compliance. While we provide tools and guidance, you are responsible for ensuring compliance with securities laws, tax regulations, and other applicable laws.

Questions About Security?

We're here to help. Contact our security team at [email protected]