Privacy Policy

TrustYourHost ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our directory platform at trustyourhost.com.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

For Hosts (Property Owners):

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number
• Property Information: Property name, description, location (city, state, country, full address for verification), property type, amenities, pricing
• Images: Property photos you upload
• Booking Website: URL of your direct booking website
• Payment Information: Credit card details (processed and stored by Stripe, not by us)
• Optional Information: Platforms you're listed on (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.), typical response time

For Travelers (Guests):

• Browsing Behavior: Properties you view, search queries, filters you apply
• Click Tracking: When you click "Visit Website" to go to a host's booking site (anonymous, used for analytics)
• Account Information (if you create an account): Email address, name

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, referral source
• Cookies & Similar Technologies: Session cookies, authentication tokens, analytics cookies (see Section 5)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 Operating the Platform

• Creating and managing host accounts
• Displaying property listings to travelers
• Facilitating connections between travelers and hosts (via click-throughs to host websites)
• Verifying and approving property submissions

2.2 Processing Subscriptions

• Billing hosts for their $49/month subscription
• Managing free trial periods (60 days)
• Processing subscription renewals and cancellations

2.3 Communication

• Sending transactional emails (property approval, subscription confirmations, password resets)
• Responding to support requests
• Sending important updates about our service (with option to opt-out of non-essential communications)

2.4 Analytics & Improvement

• Understanding how users interact with our platform
• Improving search and discovery features
• Optimizing property listings and recommendations
• Identifying and fixing technical issues

2.5 AI-Powered Recommendations

• Using Google Gemini AI to provide personalized property recommendations based on your search queries
• Analyzing search patterns to improve recommendation quality

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 Service Providers

We share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, subpoenas).

3.3 Business Transfers

If TrustYourHost is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership.

4. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement industry-standard security measures:

4.1 Technical Safeguards

• HTTPS Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using TLS/SSL
• Database Encryption: Data at rest is encrypted in Supabase's secure database
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can access your data internally
• Regular Security Audits: We regularly review and update our security practices

4.2 Payment Security

We do NOT store credit card information on our servers. All payment processing is handled by Stripe, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified (the highest level of payment security).

4.3 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account password. We recommend using a strong, unique password and enabling two-factor authentication if available.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

5.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you and remember your preferences.

5.2 Types of Cookies We Use

5.3 How to Control Cookies

• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. Check your browser's help section for instructions.
• Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Do Not Track: We respect Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals

6. Your Rights (GDPR/CCPA)

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information under laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

6.1 Your Rights Include:

6.2 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at: hello@trustyourhost.com

We will respond to your request within 30 days. We may ask you to verify your identity before processing your request.

6.3 California-Specific Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:

• Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and share
• Right to delete your personal information (subject to exceptions)
• Right to opt-out of sale of personal information (we do NOT sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

7. International Data Transfers

TrustYourHost is based in the United States. If you access our platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

7.1 Data Storage Location

Our primary database (Supabase) is hosted in the United States. By using our platform, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

7.2 EU-US Data Transfers

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we rely on appropriate safeguards for international data transfers, including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

8. Children's Privacy

TrustYourHost is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at hello@trustyourhost.com and we will delete such information.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons.

9.1 How We Notify You

• Material Changes: We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website at least 30 days before the changes take effect
• Minor Changes: We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy

Your continued use of TrustYourHost after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: