ShuttlU - Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

ShuttlU ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our ridesharing platform designed exclusively for college students.

By using ShuttlU, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Name (first and last name)
• University email address (.edu email)
• Phone number
• University name and graduation year
• Profile photo (if provided via Google OAuth)

Driver Information

If you register as a driver, we also collect:

• Driver's license information (for verification)
• Vehicle details (make, model, year, color)
• Insurance information

Location Data

To facilitate ridesharing, we collect:

• Pickup and drop-off locations
• Route information
• Real-time location data during active rides (with your permission)

Usage Information

We automatically collect:

• Device information (type, operating system, browser)
• IP address and general location
• App usage patterns and preferences
• Ride history and transaction records

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide our services: Connect riders and drivers, facilitate ride arrangements
• Safety and security: Verify student status, validate driver licenses, ensure platform safety
• Communication: Send ride confirmations, updates, and important announcements
• Payment processing: Handle transactions between riders and drivers
• Customer support: Respond to inquiries and resolve issues
• Platform improvement: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Legal compliance: Meet regulatory requirements and enforce our Terms of Service

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

With Other Users

When you book or offer a ride, we share limited information with matched users:

• First name and profile photo
• Phone number (for ride coordination)
• Pickup/drop-off locations
• Vehicle information (for drivers)

With Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third parties who help us operate our platform:

• Google Maps (for location services)
• Payment processors (for transaction handling)
• Cloud hosting providers (Supabase for data storage)
• Customer support tools

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes or government requests
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of our users
• Investigate potential violations of our Terms of Service

We do NOT sell your personal information to advertisers or other third parties.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication systems
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls limiting who can view your data
• Secure cloud infrastructure (Supabase)

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

• Your account remains active
• Needed to provide our services
• Required for legal or regulatory compliance
• Necessary for safety and security purposes

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

7. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we have about you
• Update: Correct or update your personal information through your account settings
• Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Restrict: Limit how we use your information
• Portability: Request your data in a portable format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@shuttlu.com or through your account settings.

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your login status and preferences
• Analyze how our platform is used
• Improve platform performance and user experience

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may affect platform functionality.

9. Third-Party Services

Our platform integrates with third-party services:

• Google OAuth: For secure authentication (governed by Google's Privacy Policy)
• Google Maps: For location and mapping services
• Supabase: For secure data storage and authentication

These services have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review them.

10. Age Requirements

ShuttlU is intended for college students who are at least 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18. If you become aware that someone under 18 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

11. 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
• Sending you an email notification
• Providing an in-app notification

Your continued use of ShuttlU after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

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