Privacy Policy

At StayCloseBy, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use our platform to connect with accommodation providers in Rotterdam and surrounding areas.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide you with our services and facilitate connections between guests and hosts.

a. Information You Provide:

• Account Information: Name, email address, and location details required to create and maintain your account.
• Booking Details: Information about your accommodation requests, including dates, preferences, and special requirements.
• Communications: Messages exchanged between guests and hosts through our platform.
• Profile Information: Optional details you choose to share to enhance your profile and improve matching with suitable accommodations.

b. Information Collected Automatically:

We automatically collect technical information about your device and platform usage, including IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, time spent on the platform, and interaction patterns. This data helps us improve our services and ensure platform security.

c. Cookies and Tracking Technologies:

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, remember your preferences, analyze platform usage, and support our marketing efforts. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, though this may affect certain platform functionalities.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Service Provision: Facilitating connections between guests and hosts, processing bookings, and managing your account.
• Platform Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience, develop new features, and optimize platform performance.
• Communication: Sending booking confirmations, updates, important notifications, and relevant information about our services.
• Security and Safety: Verifying user identities, preventing fraud, and maintaining platform integrity.
• Legal Compliance: Meeting regulatory requirements and responding to legal obligations.
• Marketing: Sending promotional content and updates about our services (with your consent where required).

3. Information Sharing

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

• With Hosts: When you make a booking request, we share relevant information with potential hosts to facilitate the accommodation arrangement.
• Service Providers: With trusted third-party partners who assist us in operating our platform, processing payments, or providing customer support, under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of StayCloseBy, our users, or others.
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with appropriate privacy protections in place.

4. Your Rights and Choices

Under applicable data protection laws, including GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Rectification: Correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and legitimate business requirements.
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Restriction: Limit how we process your information in certain circumstances.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where consent is the legal basis.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information, except where retention is required for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption, secure data transmission, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. When we transfer personal information outside the European Economic Area, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

8. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our platform.

9. Age Restrictions

StayCloseBy is intended for users who are at least 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 16. If we become aware that we have collected information from someone under 16, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our platform and updating the effective date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or need assistance with privacy-related matters, please contact us:

For EU residents: You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe we have not adequately addressed your concerns.