At PetFinder, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data when you use the PetFinder mobile application.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information to provide and improve our services:

a. Personal Information

When you create an account, we may collect personal information, including:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Location
• Pet information (such as pet name, breed, age)

b. Device Information

We may collect information about the device you use to access the App, such as:

• Device model
• Operating system
• Unique device identifiers
• IP address

c. Usage Information

We collect information about your activity on the App, including:

• Pages or features accessed
• Interactions with other users
• Time and date of usage

d. Location Data

If you enable location services, we may collect your location data to help you search for pets near you and help reunite lost pets with their owners.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Account Management: To create and manage your account, and personalize your experience on the App.
• Service Delivery: To enable features such as pet profiles, lost pet searches, and community connections.
• Safety and Security: To detect and prevent fraudulent activities, ensure user safety, and maintain the security of our services.
• Improvement: To analyze usage trends and improve the performance and features of the App.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your data in the following circumstances:

a. With Your Consent

We may share your information with other users or third parties if you give us explicit permission to do so.

b. Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the App (such as cloud hosting, payment processing, or customer support), subject to confidentiality agreements.

c. Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, or if we believe such action is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect and defend the rights or property of PetFinder
• Prevent fraud or ensure the safety of users

4. Data Security

We take appropriate security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Regular security audits
• Limiting access to personal data to authorized personnel only

However, no data transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee the security of data transmitted via the App.

5. Data Retention

We will retain your personal data for as long as necessary to provide the services and as required by applicable laws. If you choose to delete your account, we will remove your personal data unless retention is necessary for legal obligations or to resolve disputes.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: You can correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal data at any time.
• Withdrawal of Consent: You can withdraw your consent for data collection at any time by adjusting your settings in the App.

7. Third-Party Links

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services. Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We recommend reading the privacy policies of any third-party services you visit.

8. Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware of such data being collected, we will take steps to delete it.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. Any changes will be communicated by updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy. Your continued use of the App following any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.