Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to AdoptMe ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services.

This policy applies to users in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America (LATAM), and complies with applicable privacy laws including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada, the Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de los Particulares (LFPDPPP) in Mexico, and applicable data protection regulations in other LATAM jurisdictions.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you register for an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number with country code)
• Account credentials (username, password)
• Profile information (profile picture, location, bio)
• Pet listing information (photos, descriptions, location)
• Communications with other users and with us

Information Collected Automatically

When you access our services, we automatically collect:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, device type)
• IP address and general location data
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, clicks)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account
• Verify your email address and phone number for account security
• Provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Facilitate pet adoption connections between users
• Process and respond to your inquiries
• Send administrative communications, verification codes, and service updates
• Personalize your experience and content
• Display relevant advertisements (via Google AdSense)
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud or security issues

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect and store information. These include:

• Essential cookies: Required for basic site functionality
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our site
• Advertising cookies: Used by Google AdSense to display relevant ads

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our services.

5. Third-Party Services

We use third-party services that may collect information about you:

• Google AdSense: Displays advertisements on our platform. Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits. You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ads Settings.
• Twilio: Provides SMS verification services. When you verify your phone number, Twilio processes your phone number to deliver verification codes. Twilio's privacy policy governs their use of this data.
• Email service providers: Deliver verification emails and service communications.
• Analytics providers: Help us analyze website usage and improve our services.

6. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With other users: Pet listings and profile information are visible to other users to facilitate adoptions
• Service providers: Third parties who perform services on our behalf
• Legal requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data, but we continuously work to protect your information.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes, such as resolving disputes and enforcing our agreements.

9. Account and Data Management

Account Deletion

You can delete your account at any time through your profile settings. When you delete your account:

• Your profile information will be permanently deleted
• Your pet listings will be removed
• Your posts and comments will be anonymized or deleted
• Some data may be retained as required by law

Account Suspension

We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate our terms. Our enforcement system uses a three-strike policy for most violations, with immediate suspension possible for severe violations such as fraud or illegal activity.

Data Export

You may request a copy of your personal data by contacting us. We will provide your data in a commonly used format within a reasonable timeframe.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

For All Users

• Access and receive a copy of your personal data
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Delete your account and personal data
• Object to certain processing of your data
• Withdraw consent at any time

California Residents (CCPA)

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

Canadian Residents (PIPEDA)

• Right to access your personal information
• Right to challenge accuracy and completeness
• Right to withdraw consent (subject to legal restrictions)

Mexican Residents (LFPDPPP)

• Derechos ARCO: Access, Rectification, Cancellation, and Opposition
• Right to revoke consent
• Right to limit use or disclosure of your data

LATAM Residents

• Right to access your personal information
• Right to rectify inaccurate data
• Right to erasure of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Rights under applicable local data protection laws

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us. pablo.cabrera.castrejon@gmail.com.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age (or 16 in some jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. When we transfer your data, we take appropriate safeguards to ensure your information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.