Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 12, 2025

1) Scope

This Policy applies to our website, apps, and related services (collectively, the "Services"). It does not cover third-party services you access through links or integrations (e.g., payment processors).

2) Information we collect

A. You provide directly

• Account & Profile: name, school email, password, phone number, profile photo, gender, major (optional), pickup verification code, campus affiliation (e.g., "@email.sc.edu").
• Communications & Support: messages to support, feedback, reports/ratings.
• Driver Onboarding (drivers only): insurance information and related documents you upload for verification.

B. Collected when you use the Services

• Ride & Transaction Data: pick-up/drop-off locations and timestamps, trip routes, fares/prices (including per-person pricing), discounts, and transaction metadata.
• Location Data: precise or approximate location when the app is open or in active use, to enable matching, routing, and safety features.
• Device & Usage: device model, OS, app version, language, IP address, crash logs, diagnostics, and interaction events.
• Push Tokens: identifiers used to send notifications to your device.

C. From third parties

• Payments: limited transaction details from payment processors (we do not store full card numbers).
• Verification & Safety: student status or email domain checks; signals to detect spam, fraud, or policy abuse; if required, information from campus partners or service providers.

3) How we use information

• Provide the Services: account creation, identity and student verification, matching riders/drivers, routing and ETAs, trip management, ratings, and in-app communications.
• Safety & Integrity: verify driver documents, prevent fraud, enforce Terms, investigate incidents, and promote platform safety.
• Customer Support: respond to requests, troubleshoot issues, and improve reliability.
• Analytics & Improvement: measure performance and quality; develop new features.
• Compliance & Legal: meet legal/recordkeeping obligations; address disputes; enforce agreements.
• Communications: essential service messages; optional marketing (you can opt out of marketing).

4) When we share information

• Between riders and drivers: names, profile photos, ratings, and trip-necessary details (pickup/drop-off, route timing).
• Service providers: hosting, storage, analytics, payment processing, communications, and verification partners—bound to use data only for our instructions.
• Legal & Safety: with law enforcement, regulators, or campus authorities if we reasonably believe disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect rights, property, safety, or the integrity of the Services.
• Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale (your data remains protected by this Policy or a successor with materially similar protections).
• With your direction or consent.

We do not sell personal information. We also do not share personal information for targeted advertising except possibly limited website analytics; where required, we'll offer opt-out mechanisms.

5) Cookies and similar technologies (site)

We use cookies and similar technologies for core functionality, remembering preferences, and aggregate analytics. You can manage cookies in your browser; blocking some cookies may impact site features.

6) Your choices and rights

• Access, Correct, Delete, Portability: email us at saferideshelp@gmail.com to request access to, correction of, deletion of, or a copy of your data.
• Marketing Opt-Out: use the unsubscribe link in emails or contact us.
• Location Controls: manage OS-level permissions; note that rides and some safety features require location during active use.
• Push Notifications: you can disable at the device level; critical service messages may still appear in-app.
• Appeals: if we decline a request, you may reply asking for an appeal; we'll explain our decision unless prohibited by law.

State-specific rights (U.S.)

Residents of states with privacy laws (e.g., CA, CO, CT, UT, VA and others as they come into effect) may have additional rights to:

• opt out of targeted advertising or certain profiling,
• limit use of sensitive data (we only use what's necessary to provide the Services),
• use an authorized agent for requests, and
• not be discriminated against for exercising rights.

Submit requests to saferideshelp@gmail.com and include your state of residence.

California "Notice at Collection" (summary)

We collect the following categories under CA law: identifiers; protected classification info (e.g., gender, if provided); commercial info (trips/transactions); geolocation; internet/technical data; audio/visual data (profile photos); inferences (basic safety/quality signals). We do not sell personal information. We retain data as described below.

7) Legal bases for processing (EEA/UK visitors)

For users in the EEA/UK, we process personal data based on:

• Contract (to provide the Services),
• Legitimate interests (safety, fraud prevention, improvement),
• Legal obligation, and
• Consent (for certain optional uses, which you can withdraw at any time).

We may transfer data to the U.S.; where required, we use appropriate safeguards (e.g., standard contractual clauses).

8) Data retention

We keep data only as long as necessary for the purposes described or as required by law, then delete or de-identify it. Illustrative periods:

9) Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including: encryption in transit, hardened cloud infrastructure, role-based access, least-privilege controls, credential hashing, logging/monitoring, and routine backups. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; please use unique, strong passwords and keep your device updated.

10) Children

Our Services are for college students and not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided data to us, contact saferideshelp@gmail.com and we will delete it.

11) Automated decision-making

We use limited automation (e.g., matching, safety/fraud signals). You may contact us to request a review of decisions that significantly affect you, where required by law.

12) Third-party links and services

Our Services may link to third parties (e.g., payment, maps, or campus partners). Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.

13) Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes to our practices or legal requirements. If we make material changes, we'll post the updated version and adjust the "Last updated" date. If required by law, we will notify you and, where applicable, obtain your consent.

14) How to contact us