Privacy Policy

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Information We Collect
• 3. How We Use Your Information
• 4. How We Share Your Information
• 5. Data Storage and Security
• 6. Your Rights and Choices
• 7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
• 8. Children's Privacy
• 9. Third-Party Links and Services
• 10. International Data Transfers
• 11. Background Checks and Identity Verification
• 12. Data Retention
• 13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
• 14. State-Specific Privacy Notices
• 15. Contact Us

1. Introduction

1.1 Overview

Welcome to Tails ("we," "us," or "our"). Tails is a U.S.-based marketplace that connects dog owners ("Pet Owners") with independent dog care service providers ("Service Providers"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, mobile application, and services (collectively, the "Tails Platform").

1.2 Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Tails Platform, including dog owners ("Pet Owners") and dog care service providers ("Service Providers"). By accessing or using the Tails Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

1.3 Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on the Tails Platform with a new "Effective Date"
• Sending you an email or notification through the Tails Platform

Your continued use of the Tails Platform after the effective date of the updated Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

✓ INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE WHEN CREATING AN ACCOUNT

When you create a Tails account, we collect:

• Name, email address, phone number, and password
• Profile information (photo, biography, preferences)
• Address and location information
• For Service Providers: skills, experience, services offered, and rates

2.2 Dog Information

✓ INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DOGS

For Pet Owners, we collect:

• Dog name, breed, age, weight, and photos
• Temperament, behavior information, and special needs
• Vaccination records and medical history
• Veterinary contact information
• Care instructions and preferences

2.3 Payment Information

✓ PAYMENT DETAILS ARE SECURELY PROCESSED

We collect payment information including:

• Credit/debit card details (processed by our payment processors)
• Billing address
• For Service Providers: Tax information (e.g., Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN)) to comply with tax reporting obligations
• Transaction history

2.4 Biometric Data

✓ WE MAY COLLECT BIOMETRIC DATA FOR VERIFICATION

We may collect biometric data, such as facial recognition data, from images you provide for identity verification purposes:

• This data is derived from photos and identification documents you submit when verifying your identity on our platform
• Biometric data is used solely for identity verification to ensure the safety and security of our platform
• We implement stringent security measures to protect your biometric data, which is encrypted and stored separately from other personal information
• Biometric data is retained only for as long as necessary for identity verification purposes or as required by law. It is permanently deleted when it is no longer needed, when you close your account, or upon your request, unless we are required to retain it by law

2.5 Location Information

✓ LOCATION DATA HELPS US PROVIDE OUR SERVICES

We collect location information when you:

• Set your service area as a Service Provider
• Search for Service Providers as a Pet Owner
• Use the Tails Platform while providing services (for Service Providers)
• Enable location services in your device settings

2.6 Communications

We collect information from your communications on the Tails Platform:

• Messages between Pet Owners and Service Providers
• Customer support communications
• Feedback and reviews
• Responses to surveys or research

2.7 Usage Information

We automatically collect information about your use of the Tails Platform:

• Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent)
• Device information (hardware model, operating system)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• App usage data and analytics

2.8 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third parties:

• Background check information from third-party services for Service Providers
• Information from social media platforms if you link your account
• Information from affiliates, partners, and publicly available sources

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Providing and Improving Services

✓ WE USE YOUR DATA TO DELIVER OUR SERVICES

We use your information to:

• Create and maintain your account
• Process transactions and payments
• Connect Pet Owners with Service Providers
• Provide customer support
• Improve and optimize the Tails Platform
• Develop new features and services

3.2 Communications

We use your information to:

• Facilitate communications between users
• Send notifications about bookings and services
• Provide updates about the Tails Platform
• Respond to your inquiries
• Send marketing communications (subject to your preferences)

3.3 Safety and Security

We use your information to:

• Verify user identity
• Conduct background checks on Service Providers
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, and other harmful activities
• Protect the safety of users and dogs
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies
• Comply with legal obligations

3.4 Personalization

We use your information to:

• Customize your experience on the Tails Platform
• Recommend relevant Service Providers to Pet Owners
• Show relevant listings to Service Providers
• Provide personalized content and offers

3.5 Inferences and Data Analytics

We may use the information we collect to make inferences about your preferences, characteristics, and behaviors:

• These inferences help us personalize your experience on our platform
• Improve our matching algorithm between dog owners and Service Providers
• Develop new features and services
• Enhance our marketing and advertising efforts

3.6 AI and Machine Learning

We use artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to analyze user data, learn about the needs of our users, and improve match quality between dog owners and Service Providers. This process involves:

• Analyzing booking patterns and user behaviors
• Evaluating user feedback and reviews
• Assessing communication patterns between users
• Predicting potential matches based on various factors

Human Oversight: Our AI systems do not make automated decisions that significantly affect users without human oversight.

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Sharing Between Users

✓ WE SHARE INFORMATION BETWEEN PET OWNERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

When you use the Tails Platform:

• Pet Owners can see Service Providers' profiles, ratings, and reviews
• Service Providers can see Pet Owners' profiles and dog information
• Users can communicate and share information through the Tails Platform
• Location information may be shared during active bookings

4.2 Service Providers and Partners

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

• Payment processors
• Cloud storage providers
• Analytics providers
• Customer support services
• Background check providers (for Service Providers)
• Marketing and advertising partners

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law:

• In response to a legal process or request
• To comply with applicable laws or regulations
• To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• To detect, prevent, or address fraud or security issues
• During a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

5. Data Storage and Security

5.1 Data Storage

✓ WE STORE YOUR DATA SECURELY

We store your information on secure servers in the United States. We retain your information as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

5.2 Data Security

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

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication
• Monitoring for suspicious activity
• Employee training on data security

5.3 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you in accordance with applicable laws. We will take appropriate steps to contain and mitigate the data breach, including working with law enforcement and implementing additional security measures.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Account Information

You can access, update, or correct your account information at any time by:

• Logging into your account settings
• Contacting us at privacy@tails.com

6.2 Communication Preferences

You can manage your communication preferences by:

• Adjusting notification settings in your account
• Opting out of marketing emails using the unsubscribe link
• Contacting us to update your preferences

6.3 Location Data

You can control location data collection by:

• Adjusting location permissions in your device settings
• Enabling or disabling location services within the Tails app

Note that limiting location data may affect some features of the Tails Platform.

6.4 Privacy Rights

✓ YOU HAVE RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PERSONAL DATA

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to access and receive a copy of your data
• Right to correct inaccurate information
• Right to delete your data (subject to certain exceptions)
• Right to restrict or object to processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to withdraw consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@tails.com.

6.5 Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

We do not sell personal information to third parties for monetary consideration. However, some of our data-sharing practices may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" under certain laws.

Opt-Out: You can opt out of certain data-sharing practices by adjusting your account settings or contacting us at privacy@tails.com.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 Cookies and Similar Technologies

✓ WE USE COOKIES TO ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in to the Tails Platform
• Remember your preferences
• Understand how you use the Tails Platform
• Improve our services
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing
• Provide relevant content and advertisements

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
• Functionality Cookies: Enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization.
• Targeting Cookies: May be set through our site by our advertising partners to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites.

7.3 Your Choices

You can manage cookies through your browser settings to:

• Accept or reject cookies
• Delete cookies periodically
• Set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie

Note that blocking all cookies may impact your experience on the Tails Platform.

7.4 Do Not Track

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals websites not to track your online activity. We currently do not respond to DNT signals. For more information about DNT signals, please visit www.allaboutdnt.com.

8. Children's Privacy

The Tails Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information. If you believe we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us at privacy@tails.com.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

9.1 Third-Party Links

The Tails Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Tails. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services you visit.

9.2 Social Media Features

The Tails Platform may include social media features, such as the Facebook "Like" button. These features may collect your IP address and the page you are visiting, and they may set a cookie to enable the feature to function properly. Social media features are governed by the privacy policy of the company providing the feature.

9.3 User-Generated Content

Any content you post publicly on our platform, such as reviews, comments, or feedback, may be visible to other users. Please avoid sharing personal information in these public areas.

10. International Data Transfers

Although Tails is a U.S.-based service designed for use in the United States, your information may be stored and processed in data centers located outside of your state or province. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to different jurisdictions in accordance with applicable law.

If we transfer personal data to countries outside the United States, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information and that the transfer complies with applicable data protection laws.

11. Background Checks and Identity Verification

11.1 Service Providers

For Service Providers, we collect personal information to conduct background checks where permitted by law:

• Government-issued ID (e.g., driver's license, passport)
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• Address history
• Criminal history information

11.2 Use of Information

This information is used solely for identity verification and background screening to ensure the safety and trustworthiness of our platform. We implement strict security measures to protect your sensitive information during the background check process.

11.3 Third-Party Providers

We work with third-party background check providers who may have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review these policies when you consent to a background check.

12. Data Retention

12.1 Retention Policy

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

12.2 Criteria for Retention

The criteria used to determine our retention periods include:

• Duration of the Relationship: The length of time we have an ongoing relationship with you
• Legal Obligations: Legal requirements to which we are subject
• Disputes and Enforcement: Whether retention is advisable in light of our legal position (e.g., regarding applicable statutes of limitations, litigation, or regulatory investigations)

12.3 Account Closure

If you request to delete your account or if we delete it due to inactivity (after 24 consecutive months of non-use):

• We will remove or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable time
• Some information may be retained for legal compliance or legitimate business purposes (e.g., transaction records for tax purposes)
• Content you posted (e.g., reviews) may remain on the Tails Platform in anonymized form (e.g., displayed as "Anonymous") where relevant to other users' experiences

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on the Tails Platform with a new "Effective Date"
• Sending you an email or notification through the Tails Platform

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about our information practices.

14. State-Specific Privacy Notices

14.1 California Privacy Rights

California residents have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights
• Right to limit use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
• Right to correct inaccurate personal information

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@tails.com or call our toll-free number at [Insert Toll-Free Number].

California Shine the Light Law: California residents may request certain information regarding our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please contact us at privacy@tails.com.

14.2 Virginia Privacy Rights

Virginia residents have rights under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), including:

• Right to access personal data
• Right to correct inaccuracies
• Right to delete personal data
• Right to obtain a copy of personal data
• Right to opt out of targeted advertising and sale of personal data

14.3 Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah Privacy Rights

Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah have similar rights under their respective state privacy laws. To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@tails.com.

15. Contact Us

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

Data Protection Officer
Email: privacy@tails.com
Mailing Address: Tails Inc., 123 Pet Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: [Insert Phone Number]

By using the Tails Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.