Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 20, 2025
Last Updated: January 20, 2025

At PodQuest, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account
• Create a profile (host or guest)
• Submit applications or proposals
• Contact us for support
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Participate in surveys or promotions

This information may include: name, email address, phone number, professional background, bio, social media links, payment information, and any other information you choose to provide.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Operating system
• Referring URLs
• Pages viewed and time spent
• Click-through data

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage patterns, and deliver personalized content. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Platform Operation: To provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Account Management: To create and manage your account
• Matching Services: To connect hosts and guests based on preferences and criteria
• Communication: To send notifications, updates, and respond to inquiries
• Payment Processing: To process transactions and manage billing
• Security: To detect fraud, abuse, and ensure platform safety
• Analytics: To analyze usage patterns and improve our services
• Marketing: To send promotional materials (with your consent)
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 With Other Users

When you create a profile, certain information (name, bio, professional background, ratings) may be visible to other users to facilitate connections.

3.2 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform, including:

• Payment processors
• Email service providers
• Analytics services
• Customer support tools
• Cloud hosting services

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public.

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

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 by law.

6. Your Rights and Choices

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

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing based on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@podquest.com. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

8. Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

9. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

11. European Privacy Rights

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the rights mentioned in Section 6 above.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our platform and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

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

• Email: privacy@podquest.com
• Address: PodQuest Privacy Team, [Company Address]
• Phone: [Phone Number]

We are committed to resolving any privacy-related concerns promptly and transparently.