Privacy Policy

2.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Register for an account
• Create a service listing
• Post a task or project
• Contact customer support
• Subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications

This information may include:

• Full name and contact information (email, phone number)
• Physical address and location data
• Government-issued ID and verification documents
• Business permits and professional licenses
• Profile photos and business images
• Payment information and transaction history

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our Services, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, features used)
• Location data (with your permission)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:

• Social media platforms (if you connect your account)
• Payment processors and financial institutions
• Identity verification services
• Analytics and marketing partners

3.1 Service Delivery

• Create and manage your account
• Facilitate connections between service providers and seekers
• Process payments and transactions
• Verify your identity and prevent fraud
• Send service-related notifications and updates

3.2 Platform Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns and improve user experience
• Develop new features and services
• Conduct research and analytics
• Personalize content and recommendations

3.3 Communication

• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Send promotional materials and marketing communications (with your consent)
• Notify you of important updates and policy changes

3.4 Legal and Security

• Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions
• Resolve disputes and investigate complaints

4.1 With Other Users

When you create a profile or listing, certain information becomes visible to other users to facilitate connections:

• Name and profile photo
• Business information and service descriptions
• Ratings and reviews
• General location (city/area, not exact address)

4.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Payment processing and financial transactions
• Cloud hosting and data storage
• Customer support and communication tools
• Marketing and analytics services
• Identity verification and fraud prevention

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes, court orders, or government requests
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Prevent fraud or illegal activities
• Respond to emergency situations

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction, subject to the same privacy protections.

6.1 Right to Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

6.2 Right to Correction

You can update or correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information through your account settings or by contacting us.

6.3 Right to Erasure

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and contractual obligations.

6.4 Right to Object

You can object to certain types of data processing, including marketing communications.

6.5 Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

6.6 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@localbuddy.com or through your account settings. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

7.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect your ability to use some features of our platform.

9.1 Notification of Changes

When we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you via email or through a prominent notice on our platform
• Provide at least 30 days' notice before the changes take effect

9.2 Your Continued Use

Your continued use of our Services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the changes, you should discontinue use of our Services.

9.3 Archived Versions

We maintain archived versions of previous Privacy Policies for your reference. You can request access to previous versions by contacting us.

Data Protection Officer

• Email: privacy@localbuddy.com
• Phone: +63 912 345 6789
• Address: Cebu City, Central Visayas, Philippines

Response Time

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 15 business days. For urgent matters, please mark your communication as "URGENT - Privacy Request."

Complaints

If you believe that we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Philippine National Privacy Commission (NPC):

• Website: www.privacy.gov.ph
• Email: info@privacy.gov.ph
• Hotline: (02) 8234-2228

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our Services to you
• Comply with legal, tax, or accounting requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Maintain security and prevent fraud

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies and applicable laws.

International Data Transfers

While we primarily operate within the Philippines, we may transfer your data to service providers located in other countries. When we do so, we ensure that:

• Appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information
• The transfer complies with Philippine data protection laws
• Receiving parties are contractually obligated to protect your data

Automated Decision-Making

We may use automated systems and algorithms to:

• Match service seekers with appropriate service providers
• Detect and prevent fraudulent activities
• Personalize your experience and recommendations

You have the right to request human review of any automated decision that significantly affects you. Contact us if you wish to exercise this right.

Third-Party Links

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.