Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, as well as technical data collected automatically when using the platform. This includes:

• Account Credentials: Full name, email address, phone number, and password (which is encrypted and stored securely using industry-standard hashing algorithms).
• Profile Data: Custom avatar configuration (chosen icons, initials, and theme color options).
• Task and Job Details: Information submitted during task creation, including task titles, descriptions, status updates, and budget limits.
• Real-Time Communications: In-app message content, timestamp metadata, and chat history generated between Requesters and Helpers inside task-specific chat rooms.
• Transactional Records: Details regarding bid amounts, bid messages, bid statuses (pending/accepted/rejected), and contract milestones. (Note: HelpFinder does not process or store credit card details; all payments must be settled externally and at your own risk).
• Technical Device Metadata: IP addresses, browser types, user-agents, and app usage details collected automatically to prevent abuse, enforce rate limiting, and maintain secure sessions.

2. Location Data Collection and Usage

Location discovery is central to the HelpFinder experience. We collect location data under the following guidelines:

• Type of Location: We collect both approximate location (e.g., zip codes, city, country) and precise location (GPS latitude and longitude coordinates).
• Method of Collection: Coordinates are collected only when you select your default profile location on the interactive map or submit task coordinates. Location is collected only in the foreground (when the app is actively open and in use). We do not perform background tracking.
• Visibility: A Requester's task location is visible to other users on the dashboard map to facilitate task matching, and is shared directly with the hired Helper once a bid is accepted.
• Retention: Location coordinates are stored securely in our database as part of your profile and task details, and remain stored until you delete the associated task or account.

3. Information Sharing and Third Parties

We share user data only as necessary to coordinate tasks or to perform essential system functions:

• Inter-User Sharing: We display your profile name, ratings, and active task locations to other authenticated platform users to facilitate coordination.
• Third-Party Processors: We use Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) as our secure transactional email provider. We share your name and email address with Brevo solely to deliver account verification links, password resets, and notifications.
• We do not sell, rent, lease, or trade your personal information to third-party advertisers or marketers.

4. Data Deletion and Account Removal Requests

We respect your right to control your personal data. You have the right to request the complete deletion of your account and all associated records:

• How to Request Deletion: You can submit an account and data deletion request at any time by emailing us at privacy@helpfinder4u.com.
• Deletion Timeline: Upon receiving your request, we immediately disable login access and soft-delete your profile. All associated personal data (email, name, location records, and messages) will be permanently purged or anonymized from our production databases within 30 days.

5. Data Retention Policy

We retain your personal data only as long as your account remains active or as required to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

• If an account remains entirely inactive with no login history for 24 consecutive months, we reserve the right to flag it for automated review and permanently delete the profile and associated data.
• Basic transaction headers (e.g., historical task logs, closed contracts) may be kept in an anonymized format for legal, accounting, and compliance purposes.

6. Data Security Measures

We protect your information using robust administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. This includes encrypting data-in-transit via HTTPS, securing account passwords with strong cryptographic hashes, and isolating access to database instances.

7. Contact Information

For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, your data rights, or to initiate a data export/deletion request, please contact our support team at:

Email: privacy@helpfinder4u.com