Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to ParkingRochester.com ("ParkingRochester," "we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you understand how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of information we receive when you use our website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

ParkingRochester is a peer-to-peer parking marketplace that connects property owners ("Hosts") with individuals seeking parking ("Renters") in Rochester, NY and surrounding areas. This policy applies to all users of our Service, including Hosts, Renters, and visitors.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information to provide and improve our Service:

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Name (first and last)
• Email address
• Phone number (for verification and communication)
• Password (stored securely using encryption)

2.2 Profile Information

To enhance your experience and build trust in the community, you may provide:

• Profile photo or avatar
• Bio or description
• Vehicle information (for Renters)
• Property details (for Hosts)

2.3 Payment Information

We use Stripe as our payment processor. When you make or receive payments:

• Payment card details are collected and processed directly by Stripe
• We store only transaction references and partial card information (last 4 digits, expiration date)
• Hosts connecting via Stripe Connect provide banking information directly to Stripe
• We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers

For more information, please review Stripe's Privacy Policy.

2.4 Location Data

Location information is essential to our Service:

• Parking space addresses provided by Hosts
• Search locations when you look for parking
• Approximate location derived from IP address
• Precise location (with your permission) to show nearby parking options

2.5 Usage Data

We automatically collect information about how you use the Service:

• Pages and features you access
• Search queries and filters used
• Listings viewed and interactions
• Date, time, and duration of visits
• Referring websites or links

2.6 Device Information

We collect technical information about your device:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
• IP address
• Unique device identifiers

2.7 Communications

We retain messages exchanged between Hosts and Renters through our platform, as well as any communications you have with our support team. This helps us provide customer support, resolve disputes, and maintain platform safety.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Provide and Improve Services

• Create and manage your account
• Enable parking space listings and bookings
• Facilitate communication between Hosts and Renters
• Display relevant search results based on location and preferences
• Personalize your experience on the platform
• Develop new features and improve existing ones

3.2 Process Bookings and Payments

• Process booking requests and confirmations
• Collect payments from Renters
• Disburse payouts to Hosts
• Process refunds when applicable
• Generate receipts and tax documents

3.3 Send Notifications and Updates

• Booking confirmations and reminders
• Payment receipts and payout notifications
• Messages from other users
• Service announcements and updates
• Marketing communications (with your consent)

3.4 Customer Support

• Respond to your inquiries and requests
• Resolve disputes between users
• Investigate and address reported issues
• Provide technical assistance

3.5 Safety and Security

• Verify user identities
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights and safety of our users
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Other Users

To facilitate bookings, certain information is shared between Hosts and Renters:

• Hosts see Renter names, profile photos, and booking details for confirmed bookings
• Renters see Host names, profile photos, and parking space details
• Exact parking space addresses are shared only after booking confirmation
• Phone numbers may be shared for coordination purposes
• Reviews and ratings are publicly visible on user profiles

4.2 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party companies to operate our Service:

• Stripe: Payment processing and Host payouts
• Mapbox: Maps and location services
• Cloud hosting providers: Secure data storage and infrastructure
• Email service providers: Transactional and marketing emails
• Analytics providers: Usage analysis and improvement

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders)
• Requests from law enforcement or government agencies
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Protection of the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public
• Investigation of potential violations of our Terms of Service

4.4 Business Transfers

If ParkingRochester 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 or uses of your personal information.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy:

5.1 Account Data

Your account information is retained while your account is active. If you request account deletion, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except as described below.

5.2 Booking and Financial Records

We retain booking history and financial transaction records for a minimum of 7 years after the transaction to:

• Comply with tax and financial reporting requirements
• Fulfill legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Provide historical records for Hosts and Renters

5.3 Requesting Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and personal data by contacting us at the email address provided in Section 13. We will process your request and confirm deletion, noting any information that must be retained for legal purposes.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

6.1 Access Your Data

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We will provide this information in a commonly used electronic format within 30 days of your request.

6.2 Correct Inaccurate Data

You can update most of your personal information directly through your account settings. For information you cannot update yourself, contact us and we will make the corrections promptly.

6.3 Delete Your Data

You can request deletion of your account and associated personal information. Some information may be retained for legal or business purposes as described in Section 5.

6.4 Export Your Data

You can request an export of your data in a portable, machine-readable format. This includes your profile information, booking history, and reviews.

6.5 Opt Out of Marketing

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
• Updating your notification preferences in account settings
• Contacting us directly

Note: You will continue to receive transactional emails related to your bookings and account, even if you opt out of marketing communications.

7. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

7.1 Right to Know

You have the right to request disclosure of:

• The categories of personal information we have collected about you
• The sources from which we collected the information
• The business purpose for collecting the information
• The categories of third parties with whom we share the information
• The specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you

7.2 Right to Delete

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions required by law.

7.3 Right to Opt-Out

You have the right to opt out of the "sale" of your personal information. We do not sell your personal information as defined by the CCPA.

7.4 Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA rights. You will not receive different pricing or quality of service for making a privacy request.

7.5 Submitting Requests

To exercise your rights under CCPA, please contact us at the email address provided in Section 13. We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within 45 days.

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Service.

8.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the Service to function and cannot be disabled:

• Authentication and session management
• Security and fraud prevention
• Load balancing and server optimization
• Remembering your preferences and settings

8.2 Analytics Cookies

With your consent, we may use analytics cookies to:

• Understand how visitors use our Service
• Measure the effectiveness of our features
• Identify areas for improvement
• Track marketing campaign performance

8.3 Controlling Cookies

You can control cookies through:

• Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies
• Cookie preferences: Use our cookie consent banner to manage preferences
• Do Not Track: We honor Do Not Track browser signals

Note: Disabling essential cookies may prevent certain features from functioning properly.

9. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it.

9.1 Encryption

• All data transmitted to and from our Service is encrypted using TLS/SSL
• Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms
• Sensitive data is encrypted at rest

9.2 Access Controls

• Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only
• We use role-based access controls
• Multi-factor authentication is required for administrative access

9.3 Regular Audits

• We regularly review and update our security practices
• We monitor for unauthorized access and suspicious activity
• We conduct periodic security assessments

While we implement these safeguards, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. If you have reason to believe your interaction with us is no longer secure, please contact us immediately.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe we may have collected information from a child, please contact us at the email address provided in Section 13.

11. International Data Transfers

ParkingRochester is based in the United States, and our servers are located in the United States. If you access our Service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

By using our Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and acknowledge that data protection laws in the United States may differ from those in your country of residence.

12. Changes to This 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.

We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Sending an email to the address associated with your account
• Displaying a prominent notice on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.