Effective Date: March 2025
Welcome to hytchU! We take your privacy seriously and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our platform.
1. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information:
a. Personal Information
- Name
- Email address (must be .edu)
- School name and student ID
- Profile photo
- Payment details (processed securely)
b. Ride & Travel Data
- Ride postings and preferences
- Pickup/drop-off locations
- Ride schedules
- Live GPS tracking during trips
c. Usage & Device Data
- Device type, OS, browser, and IP address
- Pages visited and features used
- Clicks and engagement within the app
d. Uploaded Content
- Photos shared in your trip gallery
- Comments and posts on the Community Bulletin Board
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Verify your student status and grant platform access
- Connect you with ride offers and requests
- Enable GPS tracking for safety and coordination
- Process payments and membership verification
- Display your shared content on social features
- Communicate with you (e.g., app updates, safety notices)
- Improve our services and user experience
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited data:
- With other users: Name, school, and ride details (for coordinating rides)
- With service providers: Stripe (payments), Google (photo storage), hosting services
- If required by law or to prevent harm or fraud
4. Location Tracking
Location data is used only:
- During active rides, for safety and GPS tracking
- When you choose to share your location with riders
You can manage location permissions through your device settings.
5. Data Security
We use industry-standard security protocols and encryption to protect your data, including:
- Encrypted communications (HTTPS)
- Secure user authentication
- Role-based access controls
6. Your Rights & Choices
You have the right to:
- Access or update your personal information
- Delete your account
- Control location and notification settings
- Request data export or erasure
To exercise your rights, contact us at: privacy@hytchu.com
7. Children's Privacy
hytchU is intended for college students age 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from individuals under 18.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy. If we make significant changes, we’ll notify users by email or in-app.
9. Contact Us
Have questions? Reach out any time:
hytchU Privacy Team
privacy@hytchu.com