Privacy Policy | Howl

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information:

Full name and email address (required for account creation)
Phone number (for communication between owners and caregivers)
Profile photos (for owner and caregiver profiles)
Pet information (name, breed, size, health details, photos)
ZIP code and service area information
Payment information (processed securely via Stripe; we do not store card numbers)

Usage Data:

Pages viewed and features used
Search queries and booking history
Device information and browser type

2. How We Use Your Information

To create and manage your account
To match you with appropriate caregivers or dog owners
To process bookings and payments
To enable communication between owners and caregivers
To improve our platform and services
To send service-related notifications (booking confirmations, messages, etc.)
To ensure safety and prevent fraud

3. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. Your data is shared only in the following circumstances:

Between booking parties: When a booking is confirmed, relevant contact information is shared between the owner and caregiver
Payment processing: Payment data is handled by Stripe in accordance with their privacy policy
Legal requirements: When required by law or to protect the safety of our users

Phone numbers and email addresses are not visible to other users until a booking is confirmed.

4. Data Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), secure authentication via Supabase, and PCI-compliant payment processing via Stripe. While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no system is completely secure.

5. Your Rights

Access: You can view your personal data through your account settings
Update: You can update your profile information at any time
Delete: You can delete your account and all associated data through your account settings
Data export: Contact us to request an export of your data

6. Cookies and Analytics

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and preferences. We may use privacy-compliant analytics to understand how our platform is used and to improve the experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

7. Children's Privacy

Howl is not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

8. 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. Continued use of Howl after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Contact

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your data rights, contact us at HowlRelations@gmail.com.