Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Welcome to RevWala ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of information when you use our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Service").
By using our Service, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
Account Information:
- Name, email address, username, and password
- Profile information (photo, bio, location)
- Contact information for account verification
Review and Rating Content:
- Reviews, ratings, and comments you submit
- Photos and videos you upload with reviews
- Responses to other users' reviews
Communication:
- Messages you send through our platform
- Customer support inquiries and correspondence
- Survey responses and feedback
2.2 Information We Collect Automatically
Usage Information:
- Pages visited, features used, and actions taken
- Time spent on different sections of our Service
- Search queries and browse history within our platform
Device Information:
- IP address, browser type, and version
- Operating system and device identifiers
- Screen resolution and device settings
Location Information:
- Approximate location based on IP address
- Precise location (only with your explicit consent)
- Location data associated with reviews when relevant
Cookies and Tracking Technologies:
- Session cookies for authentication and preferences
- Analytics cookies to understand usage patterns
- Functional cookies to enhance user experience
2.3 Information from Third Parties
Social Media Integration:
- Profile information from social media accounts (when you choose to connect them)
- Contact lists (only with your explicit permission)
Business Information:
- Publicly available business data and listings
- Information provided by business owners claiming their listings
Data Partners:
- Business verification data from trusted third-party sources
- Industry and market data to enhance our Service
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Primary Uses
Service Provision:
- Create and manage your account
- Enable you to submit and view reviews and ratings
- Facilitate communication between users and businesses
- Provide personalized recommendations
Platform Improvement:
- Analyze usage patterns to improve our Service
- Develop new features and functionality
- Conduct research and analytics
Communication:
- Send service-related notifications and updates
- Respond to your inquiries and support requests
- Share important policy or service changes
3.2 Content Moderation and Trust
Review Authenticity:
- Detect and prevent fake or fraudulent reviews
- Verify the authenticity of user accounts and reviews
- Maintain the integrity of our rating system
Community Safety:
- Monitor for inappropriate or harmful content
- Enforce our community guidelines and Terms of Use
- Protect users and businesses from abuse or harassment
3.3 Legal and Security
Compliance:
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations
- Respond to legal requests and court orders
- Protect our rights and interests
Security:
- Prevent fraud, spam, and abuse
- Secure our platform and user accounts
- Investigate suspicious activities
4. How We Share Your Information
4.1 Public Information
Reviews and Ratings:
- Your reviews, ratings, and public profile information are visible to all users
- Business responses to your reviews are public
- Your username and profile photo appear with your reviews
4.2 Business Partners
Claimed Businesses:
- Basic reviewer information may be shared with businesses responding to reviews
- Aggregate, non-identifying data about reviews and ratings
Verified Partners:
- Anonymized data for research and industry insights
- Aggregated statistics and trends (never individual user data)
4.3 Service Providers
Technical Operations:
- Cloud hosting and data storage providers
- Email delivery and communication services
- Analytics and performance monitoring tools
Support Services:
- Customer service platforms
- Payment processing (for premium features)
- Security and fraud prevention services
4.4 Legal Requirements
Law Enforcement:
- When required by law, court order, or government request
- To protect the safety and rights of our users and others
- To investigate potential violations of our Terms of Use
4.5 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to appropriate safeguards.
5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
5.1 Account Management
Access and Update:
- View and edit your account information and profile
- Update your communication preferences
- Manage your review history
Data Portability:
- Request a copy of your personal data in a portable format
- Transfer your data to another service where technically feasible
5.2 Communication Preferences
Email Communications:
- Opt out of promotional emails while maintaining service notifications
- Customize the types of updates you receive
- Unsubscribe from all non-essential communications
5.3 Content Control
Review Management:
- Edit or delete your reviews and ratings
- Control the visibility of your profile information
- Manage photo and media sharing preferences
5.4 Privacy Controls
Location Services:
- Enable or disable location tracking at any time
- Control location sharing for reviews and recommendations
Cookie Management:
- Adjust cookie preferences through your browser settings
- Opt out of non-essential tracking technologies
5.5 Regional Rights
European Users (GDPR):
- Right to access, rectify, or erase your personal data
- Right to restrict or object to processing
- Right to data portability
- Right to withdraw consent
California Users (CCPA):
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to delete personal information
- Right to opt out of the sale of personal information
- Right to non-discrimination
6. Data Security
6.1 Security Measures
Technical Safeguards:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Secure authentication and access controls
- Regular security assessments and updates
Operational Security:
- Employee training on data protection
- Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Incident response procedures for data breaches
6.2 Data Retention
Account Data:
- Retained while your account is active
- Deleted within reasonable time after account closure
- Some information may be retained for legal or business purposes
Review Content:
- Public reviews may remain visible even after account deletion
- You can delete individual reviews at any time
- Anonymized data may be retained for analytics
7. International Data Transfers
If you are located outside [Your Country], please note that your information may be transferred to and processed in [Your Country] where our servers are located. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
8. Children's Privacy
Our Service is not intended for users under the age of 13 (or 16 in the European Union). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child, we will take steps to delete such information.
9. Third-Party Links and Services
Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with external services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of material changes through our Service or by email. Your continued use of our Service after such notice constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
RevWala Privacy Team
Email: [[email protected]]
12. Specific Disclosures by Region
12.1 California Privacy Rights
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have specific rights regarding their personal information. [Include detailed CCPA disclosures if applicable]
12.2 European Privacy Rights
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), European users have specific rights regarding their personal data. [Include detailed GDPR information if applicable]