Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 13, 2026
PetPals BnB ("PetPals", "we", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy describes what information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it when you use our mobile app and web platform.
1. Information We Collect
Account Information
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Profile photo (optional)
- Password (stored encrypted)
Pet Information
- Pet name, species, breed, age, weight, and gender
- Health notes, allergies, and special conditions
- Pet photo (optional)
Location Information
- During walks only Real-time GPS location of the caregiver for walk tracking
- Service reference address (manually entered by the partner)
Payment Information
- Yappy phone number for payment processing
- We do not store credit card or bank account data
Technical Information
- Device token for push notifications (Firebase)
- Platform activity logs (bookings, messages, reviews)
2. How We Use Your Information
- Create and manage your account on the platform
- Facilitate connections between pet owners and caregivers
- Process bookings and payments through Yappy
- Send push notifications about your booking status
- Display GPS location during active walks
- Improve service quality through reviews and ratings
- Send transactional emails (confirmations, reminders)
3. Information Sharing
PetPals does not sell your personal information to third parties. We share data only in the following cases:
- Between users: Caregiver name, profile photo, and rating are visible to clients, and vice versa, to facilitate bookings.
- Firebase (Google): Used for push notifications and authentication.
- Yappy: Payment processor. We only share the phone number needed to initiate the transaction.
- Legal obligation: If required by a competent authority via court order.
4. App Permissions
- Location: Only activated during active walks to show the route in real time to the client.
- Camera and gallery: To upload profile and pet photos.
- Notifications: To receive booking alerts, messages, and service updates.
5. Data Security
- All communications use HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Passwords are stored with bcrypt hashing (never in plain text)
- Sensitive device data is stored in the operating system Keychain
- Data access is restricted by roles (client, partner, administrator)
6. Data Retention
We retain your information while your account is active. If you request account deletion, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except for data we must retain due to legal obligations.
7. Your Rights
- Access: You can request a copy of your personal data.
- Correction: You can update your information from the profile section.
- Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and data.
- Portability: You can request your data in an exportable format.
8. Minors
PetPals is not directed at persons under 18 years of age. We do not intentionally collect information from minors. If you are a parent/guardian and believe your child has provided personal data, please contact us to have it removed.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy occasionally. We will notify you by email or via an in-app notice for significant changes. The "Last updated" date reflects the current version.