Privacy Policy

At Sit & Stay, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform and services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password, profile picture
• Profile Information: Bio, location, experience, qualifications (for sitters)
• Pet Information: Pet name, breed, age, medical conditions, behavioral traits
• Payment Information: Payment card details, billing address (processed by third-party payment providers)
• Communications: Messages, reviews, ratings, and feedback
• Verification Information: Government ID, background check authorization (for sitters)

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our platform, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type, IP address
• Usage Information: Pages viewed, features used, time spent, search queries
• Location Information: Precise location (with your permission) or approximate location based on IP address
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to track activity and store information

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Create and manage your account
• Facilitate connections between pet owners and sitters
• Process payments and transactions
• Verify identity and conduct background checks
• Send you notifications, updates, and promotional communications
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems
• Analyze usage patterns and improve user experience
• Comply with legal obligations

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 With Other Users

When you book a service or accept a booking, we share relevant information with the other party, including:

• Name, profile picture, and contact information
• Pet information (for pet owners)
• Service details, ratings, and reviews

3.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Payment processors
• Background check providers
• Cloud hosting services
• Email and SMS services
• Analytics providers

3.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Legal process or government requests
• Enforcement of our Terms of Service
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Investigation of fraud or security issues

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

4. Live PetCam Access

If you opt for our Live PetCam service:

• Video footage is transmitted securely and encrypted
• Recordings are stored for 30 days and then automatically deleted
• Only authorized users (pet owners and assigned sitters) can access the footage
• You can request deletion of footage at any time

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Correction

You can access and update your account information at any time through your profile settings.

6.2 Data Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and personal data by contacting us at privacy@sitandstay.com. We will retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

6.3 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of promotional emails by clicking the unsubscribe link or adjusting your notification preferences.

6.4 Location Data

You can disable location services through your device settings, though this may limit certain features.

6.5 Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. See our Cookie Policy for more details.

7. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected information from a child, we will delete it promptly.

8. International Data Transfers

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

9. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Retention periods vary based on:

• Active accounts: retained for the duration of your account plus 90 days
• Transaction records: retained for 7 years for tax and accounting purposes
• Background checks: retained for 5 years
• Marketing data: retained until you opt out

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or through a prominent notice on our platform. Your continued use after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

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

Email: privacy@sitandstay.com
Data Protection Officer: dpo@sitandstay.com
Address: Sit & Stay Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India

12. Grievance Officer

In accordance with Indian data protection laws, we have appointed a Grievance Officer to address your concerns:

Name: [Grievance Officer Name]
Email: grievance@sitandstay.com
Response Time: We aim to respond to grievances within 30 days