Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 07/09/2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to MyTrailPals.

This Privacy Policy explains how MyTrailPals ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you use our platform, including our webapp, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Service").

MyTrailPals is a marketplace that enables users to discover, create, and participate in real-world outdoor experiences such as hiking, walking, camping, other outdoor activities, and community gatherings. These experiences are hosted by independent users ("Hosts") and attended by participants ("Users").

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. Definitions

Service: MyTrailPals webapp, mobile applications, and related systems.

Personal Data: Information that identifies or can reasonably identify an individual.

Usage Data: Automatically collected data about usage of the Service.

Host: A user who creates and offers experiences through the Service.

User / Attendee: A person who joins, books, or participates in experiences.

Data Controller: MyTrailPals.

Service Providers: Third-party vendors and partners that assist in operating the Service.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Account Information

We may collect:

• •Name
• •Email address
• •Profile photo
• •Login credentials
• •Account preferences

3.2 Usage & Device Data

• •IP address
• •Device type and operating system
• •Browser information
• •App and website activity
• •Pages visited and interactions
• •Crash logs and diagnostics

3.3 Location Data

With your permission, we may collect location data to:

• •Show nearby experiences
• •Enable meetups and navigation
• •Support meetup, carpool, and experience coordination
• •Improve safety and logistical planning

You may disable location access at any time through your device settings.

3.4 Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• •Maintain session functionality
• •Improve platform performance
• •Analyze platform usage
• •Remember user preferences

You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features may not function properly.

3.5 Payment Information

Payments are processed by third-party payment providers such as Stripe. When you make or receive payments:

• •Stripe collects and processes payment information directly
• •We do not store complete credit card information
• •We may receive transaction-related information such as payment status, refunds, and payout details

Stripe may perform fraud prevention, identity verification, compliance checks, and payment processing activities in accordance with its own privacy practices.

Hosts receiving payouts may be required to provide additional information directly to Stripe, including identity verification, banking information, tax information, or other information required by applicable laws and Stripe's platform requirements.

3.6 Host Verification Data

To support trust and safety on the platform, Hosts may be asked to provide:

• •Government-issued identification (if applicable)
• •Selfie or identity verification photographs
• •Certifications, permits, or experience credentials (if applicable)
• •Trust and safety information related to hosting activities

We retain Host verification information for as long as necessary to support hosting activities, comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, and maintain platform safety. Government-issued identification, identity-verification photographs, and similar Host Verification Data may constitute “sensitive personal information” under applicable law; see the “Sensitive Personal Information” subsection under California Privacy Rights below.

3.7 Experience Data

We collect information related to experiences and participation, including:

• •Experience listings created by Hosts
• •RSVP and attendance information
• •Booking information
• •Experience engagement activity
• •User-generated content such as photos, comments, and reviews
• •In-app messages related to experiences
• •Carpool or meetup coordination information
• •Contact information provided during booking, including phone numbers where required

If MyTrailPals or a Host requests health-related information as part of an experience-specific liability waiver or intake form (now or in the future), that information is also sensitive personal information, and we or the Host will use it solely to support safe participation in the relevant experience.

Our Participation Agreement & Waiver permits MyTrailPals and Hosts to use photos and videos taken during an experience for community, educational, and promotional purposes, unless an attendee opts out in advance with the Host. This is separate from the user-generated content described above, since it covers images taken of a participant by someone else (such as a Host), not content the participant chooses to upload themselves.

3.8 Communications Data

• •Messages between Users and Hosts
• •Customer support communications
• •System notifications
• •Push notification preferences and delivery information

3.9 Public Profile & User Content

Certain information you choose to provide may be visible to other users of the Service, including:

• •Profile name
• •Profile photo
• •Host biography
• •Experience listings
• •Reviews and ratings
• •Other content you voluntarily publish through the Service

You are responsible for any information you choose to make publicly available through the Service.

3.10 Reviews, Ratings & Community Feedback

We may collect ratings, reviews, feedback, recommendations, and other content submitted by users regarding Hosts, experiences, or participation on the platform.

3.11 Safety & Trust Information

We may collect and process information related to:

• •Safety concerns
• •User reports
• •Complaints
• •Policy violations
• •Incident reports
• •Investigations
• •Trust and safety reviews

This information may be used to maintain the safety, integrity, and trustworthiness of the Service.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• •Operate and maintain the Service
• •Enable discovery, booking, hosting, and participation in experiences
• •Process payments and payouts
• •Verify Host identity and maintain trust and safety programs
• •Facilitate communication between users and Hosts
• •Coordinate experiences, meetups, and carpools
• •Provide customer support
• •Improve platform functionality and user experience
• •Detect fraud, abuse, unsafe behavior, and policy violations
• •Investigate incidents and safety concerns
• •Maintain reviews, ratings, and trust indicators
• •Send transactional communications and optional marketing communications
• •Enforce our Terms of Service and platform policies

5. Sharing of Information

5.1 Between Users and Hosts

When you book or join an experience, certain information may be shared with the Host of that experience, including:

• •Name
• •Profile photo (if provided)
• •RSVP and participation information
• •Booking-related information
• •Phone number (when required for coordination and safety)

Phone numbers provided during booking are:

• •Visible only to the Host and authorized personnel responsible for facilitating that experience
• •Used solely for coordination, safety, and experience-related communication
• •Not publicly displayed

Hosts may not use attendee information for unrelated marketing, solicitation, or other unauthorized purposes.

5.2 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers that assist us in operating the platform, including:

• •Payment processors (such as Stripe)
• •Cloud hosting providers
• •Analytics providers
• •Customer support providers
• •Communications providers (email, SMS, and push notification services)
• •Identity verification providers
• •Security and fraud prevention providers

These providers may access information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required to:

• •Comply with applicable laws
• •Respond to lawful requests
• •Enforce our Terms and policies
• •Protect user safety
• •Protect the rights, property, or security of MyTrailPals and its users

5.4 Business Transfers

If MyTrailPals is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, financing, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

6. Data Retention

We retain information only as long as reasonably necessary to:

• •Provide the Service
• •Comply with legal obligations
• •Resolve disputes
• •Enforce agreements
• •Prevent fraud and abuse
• •Maintain platform safety

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information.

If you delete your account, certain information may be retained where necessary to:

• •Complete ongoing transactions
• •Comply with legal obligations
• •Prevent fraud and abuse
• •Resolve disputes
• •Enforce agreements
• •Support trust and safety investigations

7. Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States.

We take reasonable measures to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect your information.

However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

• •Access your data
• •Correct inaccurate data
• •Delete your data
• •Object to processing
• •Request data portability
• •Withdraw consent where applicable

To exercise your rights, contact us at info@mytrailpals.com.

10. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents may request:

• •Access to personal information
• •Deletion of personal information
• •Information regarding data sharing practices

MyTrailPals does not sell personal information.

Sensitive Personal Information

Some of the information described in this Policy — specifically, Host government-issued identification and identity-verification photographs (Section 3.6), and any health-related information submitted as part of an experience-specific waiver or intake form (Section 3.7) — may constitute “sensitive personal information” under the CPRA. We use this information only for the limited purposes described in this Policy (verifying Host eligibility, and enabling safe participation in a booked experience) and do not use it to infer characteristics about you beyond those purposes. California residents have the right to limit our use of sensitive personal information to these permitted purposes. To exercise this right, contact us at info@mytrailpals.com.

11. GDPR Rights (EU/EEA Users)

If you are located in the EU or EEA, you may have rights including:

• •Access
• •Rectification
• •Erasure
• •Restriction of processing
• •Data portability
• •Objection

We process personal information based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• •Performance of a contract
• •Compliance with legal obligations
• •Legitimate business interests
• •User consent where required

12. Analytics & Performance Tools

We may use analytics and performance monitoring tools, including:

• •Google Analytics
• •Firebase Analytics

These tools help us understand platform usage, improve functionality, enhance safety, and maintain service reliability.

13. Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.

14. Children's Privacy

The Service is intended only for individuals who are at least 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18 as part of account creation. If we become aware that such information has been collected from an account holder under 18, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

As described in our Terms of Service, a minor may attend an experience in person when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who holds the account and booking. In that case, we do not knowingly collect Personal Data directly from the minor; any information about the minor's attendance is provided by the accompanying adult, who is responsible for its accuracy.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

When we make material changes, we may notify users through the Service, email, or other appropriate means and update the "Last Updated" date above.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: info@mytrailpals.com