Privacy Policy
Overview
This Privacy Policy describes how Local Guide ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, stores, and discloses information from users ("you") of our mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service").
Local Guide is a marketplace platform that connects travelers with independent local guides. We are committed to handling your personal data responsibly and transparently, collecting only what is necessary to operate the platform.
By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.
Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
- Account Information: Name, email address, profile photo, and the role you select (Traveler or Guide) upon registration.
- Profile Content: For Guides — biography, experience listings, photos, pricing, and availability that you voluntarily add to your public profile.
- Verification Documents: For Guides who apply for identity verification — a government-issued photo ID and a short verification video. These are submitted voluntarily and used solely for identity verification purposes. Verification documents are stored securely and are not shared publicly or with other users.
- Communications: Messages exchanged with other users through in-app messaging.
- Reviews & Ratings: Content you submit as reviews of experiences or guides.
- Support Requests: Any information you provide when contacting our support team.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device Information: Device type, operating system version, app version, and unique device identifiers.
- Usage Data: Features you access, screens you view, actions you take, and session duration — used only to improve the Service.
- Crash Reports: Automated error and crash reports to help us diagnose and fix technical issues.
- IP Address: Collected for security and fraud prevention purposes.
2.3 Location Information
We may request access to your device's location in order to show you guides and experiences near you. Location access is optional and controlled by your device permissions. We do not continuously track your location in the background.
2.4 Information We Do NOT Collect
- Payment card numbers, bank account details, or any financial credentials — we do not process payments.
- Health data or medical records.
- Background check or criminal record data.
- Any personal data not directly needed to operate the platform.
How We Use Your Data
We use the data we collect solely to:
- Operate the Service: Create and maintain your account, enable connections between Travelers and Guides, and display profiles and listings.
- Improve the Service: Understand usage patterns, diagnose technical issues, and develop new features.
- Safety & Security: Detect fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Service; enforce our Community Standards.
- Communications: Send transactional notifications (e.g., account verification, password reset, in-app message alerts). We do not send unsolicited marketing emails without your explicit consent.
- Legal Compliance: Meet our obligations under applicable law and respond to lawful requests from authorities.
We Do Not Sell Your Data
We will never sell, rent, trade, or monetize your personal information to third parties for advertising, marketing, or any commercial purpose.
Data Sharing & Disclosure
4.1 With Other Users
Information you include in your public profile (for Guides: name, bio, listings, ratings; for Travelers: display name and reviews you have written) is visible to other users of the Service. Exercise caution about what personal information you choose to make public.
4.2 With Service Providers
We share data with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating the Service:
- Firebase / Google Cloud: Backend infrastructure, authentication, and data storage.
- Analytics Providers: Anonymized, aggregated usage statistics only.
- Crash Reporting Tools: Technical error data to diagnose issues.
All service providers are contractually required to protect your data and to use it only for the specific purpose of providing services to us.
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required to do so by law, or in good faith belief that disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with a legal obligation, court order, or valid governmental request.
- Protect our legal rights and property.
- Prevent fraud, abuse, or imminent harm to any person.
- Protect the safety of our users or the public.
4.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified via email or prominent in-app notice before your data is subject to a materially different privacy policy.
Public Profile Information
Information you voluntarily include in a public profile — such as a Guide's name, photograph, bio, experience listings, and ratings — is intentionally made available to all users and visitors of the Service. This information may be indexed by search engines.
Think Before You Share
Be thoughtful about personal information you share in your public profile or in reviews. Once information is publicly visible, we cannot guarantee it has not been cached or copied by third parties even if you later remove it from the platform.
Third-Party Services
6.1 Authentication
- Sign in with Apple: Governed by Apple's Privacy Policy.
- Sign in with Google: Governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
6.2 Maps & Location
We may use mapping services (such as Google Maps or Apple Maps) to display experience locations. These services operate under their own privacy policies and may receive location data in order to render maps.
6.3 No Advertising Networks
We do not integrate advertising SDKs, retargeting pixels, or cross-app tracking technologies. We do not share data with advertising networks.
Analytics & Tracking
We use minimal, privacy-conscious analytics to understand how the Service is used and to improve it. This may include:
- Aggregated, anonymized feature usage statistics.
- App performance and stability metrics.
- Session and navigation flow data.
We do not track users across third-party apps or websites. We do not build advertising profiles.
Data Security
We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:
- Encrypted data transmission using HTTPS/TLS.
- Secure cloud storage with role-based access controls.
- Regular security reviews and updates.
No Absolute Security Guarantee
No method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we use commercially reasonable measures to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You use the Service at your own risk and should take reasonable steps to protect your own account credentials.
Data Retention
- Active Accounts: We retain your data for as long as your account is active and as necessary to provide the Service.
- Deleted Accounts: Upon account deletion, your personal data will be permanently deleted within 30 days, except where retention is required to comply with a legal obligation or to resolve disputes.
- Anonymized Analytics: Aggregate, anonymized usage statistics may be retained indefinitely as they cannot identify you.
- Legal Hold: Data subject to a legal hold or investigation may be retained longer as required by law.
Your Privacy Rights
10.1 Universal Rights
Regardless of your location, you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request permanent deletion of your account and associated personal data.
- Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format.
- Opt-Out: Opt out of any marketing communications at any time.
10.2 GDPR (European Users)
If you are in the European Economic Area, you additionally have the right to object to or restrict certain processing, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
10.3 CCPA (California Users)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information is collected, to request deletion, and to non-discrimination for exercising your rights. We do not sell personal information.
10.4 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights:
- Use the in-app account settings to update or delete your profile.
- Email us at privacy@locali.guide with your request.
We will respond to all verifiable requests within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).
Children's Privacy
The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information immediately.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@locali.guide.
Users between the ages of 13 and 17 may only use the Service with verifiable parental or guardian consent.
International Data Transfers
Local Guide operates globally. Your data may be stored and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including countries that may have different data protection laws. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.
Where required by applicable law, we implement appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) for cross-border data transfers.
Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. We will notify you of material changes by:
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
- Sending an in-app notification for significant changes.
- Sending an email notification where required by applicable law.
Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy.
Contact Us
For privacy-related questions, requests, or concerns:
- Privacy Requests: privacy@locali.guide
- General Support: support@locali.guide
- Support Center: localguide.app/support
Our Commitment to You
Local Guide is committed to your privacy. We collect only what we need, never sell your data, and give you full control over your personal information. If you have any questions or concerns about this Policy, please reach out — we're happy to help.