Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, date of birth
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, location, areas of expertise (for Experts)
• Booking Information: Consultation details, messages, scheduling preferences
• Payment Information: Payment method details (processed securely by our payment provider)
• Communications: Messages sent through the Platform, support inquiries

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on the Platform
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Log Data: IP address, access times, referring URLs
• Cookies: Session cookies for authentication and preferences

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and maintain the Platform
• Process bookings and facilitate consultations
• Send booking confirmations and reminders
• Enable communication between Travelers and Experts
• Process payments and prevent fraud
• Improve our services and develop new features
• Send important updates about your account or the Platform
• Respond to support requests and inquiries
• Enforce our Terms of Service and protect users

3. Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

3.1 Other Users

When you book a consultation, certain information (name, profile photo, booking details) is shared with the Expert. Expert profiles are publicly visible to Travelers.

3.2 Service Providers

We work with trusted third parties who help us operate the Platform:

• Payment processors (for secure payment handling)
• Cloud hosting providers (for data storage)
• Email service providers (for notifications)
• Analytics providers (for understanding usage patterns)

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of MyLocalScout, our users, or others.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information:

• Passwords are hashed using bcrypt encryption
• Data is transmitted over HTTPS
• Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel
• Regular security audits and updates

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Update: Correct inaccurate information in your profile
• Delete: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Export: Request a portable copy of your data
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@mylocalscout.com or use the settings in your account.

6. Cookies

We use cookies to:

• Keep you logged in during your session
• Remember your preferences
• Understand how you use the Platform

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may affect Platform functionality.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. After account deletion, we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention, dispute resolution).

8. Children's Privacy

MyLocalScout is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via email or through the Platform. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: privacy@mylocalscout.com

Support: support@mylocalscout.com