Introduction
Biskit.Pet ("we," "us," or "our") operates the Biskit.Pet mobile application (the "App") that helps pet owners connect locally for playdates, breeding coordination, and pet adoption.
This Privacy Policy explains:
- What information we collect
- How we use that information
- Your rights and choices
- How we protect your data
By using Biskit.Pet, you agree to this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
Account Information:
- Email address (required)
- Password (encrypted)
Pet Profiles:
- Pet name, species, breed, age, gender
- Pet photos (up to 5 per pet)
- Pet bio/description
- Purpose (playdates only - no longer shown for privacy)
Adoption Listings:
- Listing details (name, breed, age, photos, description)
- Price (optional)
- Health/vaccination status
- Listing type (shelter, breeder, rehoming)
Messages:
- Chat messages sent through the App
- Message timestamps
Reports:
- Report reason and details (when you report content or users)
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
Location Data:
- Approximate location (city, state) via GPS
- Precise location only when you use location-based features (finding nearby pets)
- We DO NOT store your exact GPS coordinates
- We store a general location (latitude/longitude rounded to ~1 mile radius)
Push Notifications:
- Push notification token (to send you match and message alerts)
Activity Data:
- Swipe history (which pets you've liked or passed on)
- Match and interest data
- Blocked users list
- Last login and last active timestamps
1.3 Information from Third Parties
Payment Processors (Future Feature):
If we add in-app payments, we will use third-party processors (Stripe, PayPal). We will NOT store credit card information.
2. How We Use Your Information
2.1 Provide the Service
- Create and manage your account
- Show your pets to nearby users (playdates feature)
- Display your adoption listings
- Enable matching and messaging
- Process reports and safety issues
2.2 Improve the Service
- Analyze usage patterns
- Fix bugs and crashes
- Develop new features
- Test and optimize performance
2.3 Communication
- Send you matches and messages (push notifications)
- Send important service updates (policy changes, downtime)
- Respond to your support requests
- Send marketing emails (you can opt out)
2.4 Safety & Compliance
- Prevent fraud and abuse
- Enforce our Community & Animal Welfare Policy
- Respond to reports
- Cooperate with law enforcement when legally required
- Comply with legal obligations
3. How We Share Your Information
We DO NOT sell your personal information.
We may share your information in these limited circumstances:
3.1 With Other Users (By Design)
- Your pet profiles are visible to nearby users (within your selected radius)
- Your adoption listings are visible to all app users
- Your messages are visible only to the person you're chatting with
- Your approximate location is shown as distance (e.g., "12 miles away")
We NEVER share your exact address or precise GPS coordinates.
3.2 With Service Providers
We use third-party services to operate the app:
- Hosting: Our self-hosted servers (no third-party cloud provider for data storage)
- Analytics: Basic usage analytics (may use Google Analytics or similar - anonymized)
- Push Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging or Apple Push Notification Service
- Email: Transactional email service (SendGrid, Mailgun, or similar)
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
3.3 For Legal Reasons
We may disclose information if required by law:
- In response to a subpoena, warrant, or court order
- To comply with legal processes
- To protect our rights, property, or safety
- To investigate fraud or Terms of Service violations
- To prevent imminent harm to animals or people
3.4 In Business Transfers
If Biskit.Pet is acquired, merged, or sells assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you via email and in-app notice.
3.5 With Your Consent
We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
4. AI & Automated Processing
4.1 Current Use
As of launch, we DO NOT use AI for:
- Content moderation
- Matching algorithms
- Photo analysis
- Automated decision-making
All content moderation is manual (human review).
4.2 Future AI Use
If we introduce AI features (e.g., auto-moderation, smart matching), we will:
- Notify you in advance
- Update this policy
- Obtain consent if required by law
- Disclose third-party AI providers (e.g., OpenAI, Google Cloud Vision)
Per Apple's 2025 guidelines, we will always disclose AI use and obtain consent before sharing personal data with third-party AI services.
5. Data Retention
How long we keep your data:
- Active accounts: We retain your data as long as your account is active
- Deleted accounts: Data is deleted within 30 days of account deletion (except as required by law)
- Messages: Retained for 1 year after last activity, then deleted
- Reports: Retained for 2 years for safety/legal purposes
- Backups: May persist in backups for up to 90 days after deletion
To delete your account: Settings → Account → Delete Account
6. Your Rights & Choices
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
6.1 Access & Export
- View your data: Your profile, pets, and matches are visible in the app
- Request data export: Email admin@biskit.pet and we'll provide a copy of your data
6.2 Correction
- Update your information: Edit your profile, pets, listings anytime
- Correct errors: Contact us at admin@biskit.pet
6.3 Deletion
- Delete your account: Settings → Account → Delete Account
- Delete specific data: Contact admin@biskit.pet
6.4 Opt-Out Options
- Marketing emails: Unsubscribe link in every email
- Push notifications: Settings → Notifications in the app, or via your device settings
- Location tracking: Manage via your device settings (note: disabling location will limit app functionality)
6.5 Do Not Sell My Personal Information (California)
We do not sell personal information. If this changes, we will provide a clear opt-out.
7. Location Data & Privacy
7.1 What We Collect
- Approximate location (city, state) for displaying nearby pets
- Rounded GPS coordinates (accurate to ~1 mile) for distance calculations
- We DO NOT store your exact street address
7.2 How We Use It
- Show you pets within your selected radius (10-100 miles)
- Display distance on pet cards ("23 miles away")
- Filter adoption listings by proximity
7.3 How to Control It
- Deny location permission: App will not show nearby pets (adoption listings still work)
- Change radius: Settings → Filters → Distance
- Turn off location services: Device settings (iOS: Settings → Biskit.Pet → Location)
8. Children's Privacy
Biskit.Pet is intended for users 18 years and older only.
- We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18
- If we learn someone under 18 has created an account, we will delete it immediately
- If you believe a minor has created an account, contact us at admin@biskit.pet
9. Data Security
We take security seriously and use industry-standard measures:
9.1 Technical Safeguards
- Encryption in transit: HTTPS/TLS for all data transmission
- Encryption at rest: Database encryption for sensitive data
- Password security: bcrypt hashing (not stored in plaintext)
- Access controls: Limited employee access to user data
- Regular backups: Daily encrypted backups
9.2 Server Security
- Self-hosted on secure infrastructure
- Firewall protection
- Regular security updates
- Intrusion detection
9.3 Limitations
No system is 100% secure. While we implement strong protections, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for:
- Keeping your password confidential
- Not sharing your account
- Reporting suspicious activity
10. International Users & Data Transfers
Biskit.Pet is based in the United States.
- Your data is stored on servers in the United States
- By using Biskit.Pet, you consent to data transfer to the US
- We comply with applicable data protection laws (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
For EU/UK users:
- We comply with GDPR requirements
- You have additional rights (see Section 6)
- Contact our Data Protection Officer: admin@biskit.pet
11. Cookies & Tracking
Mobile App:
- We do not use cookies in the mobile app
- We may use local storage for session management and app preferences
Website (if applicable):
- We may use cookies for analytics and functionality
- You can disable cookies in your browser settings
12. Third-Party Links
The App may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., payment processors, social media).
We are not responsible for:
- Third-party privacy practices
- Third-party data collection
- Third-party security
Please review their privacy policies before providing information.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be effective when posted.
We will notify you of significant changes:
- Email notification
- In-app notification
- Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Continued use of Biskit.Pet after changes constitutes acceptance of the new policy.
14. Contact Us
Questions about privacy?
- Email: admin@biskit.pet
Data Protection Officer (for GDPR inquiries):
- Email: admin@biskit.pet
15. State-Specific Rights
California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
You have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:
Right to Know:
- What personal information we collect
- How we use it
- Whether we sell or share it
Right to Delete:
- Request deletion of your personal information (with exceptions)
Right to Opt-Out:
- We do not sell personal information (no opt-out needed currently)
Right to Non-Discrimination:
- We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights
To exercise these rights: Email: admin@biskit.pet with "California Privacy Request" in the subject line
Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut Residents
Similar rights under state privacy laws. Contact admin@biskit.pet.
Summary (TL;DR)
- We collect: Email, location (approximate), pet info, messages, swipe/match history
- We use it for: Matching, messaging, safety
- We DON'T: Sell your data, share exact GPS coordinates, use AI without disclosure
- You can: Delete your account, request data export via email, control notifications in-app
- We protect: Your data with encryption and security measures
- Contact us: admin@biskit.pet for questions
Thank you for trusting Biskit.Pet with your information. We take your privacy seriously.