Information you provide

• Account details (name, email, phone number)
• Saved places, preferences, and search/chat history with Scout
• Business listing information, if you register as a business (business name, address, hours, offers, photos)
• Reviews or other content you post

Information collected automatically

• Real-time and background location data, used to power neighborhood-based recommendations
• Device information (device type, OS, app version)
• Usage data (features used, pages viewed, interactions with Scout)

Information from third parties

• If you sign in via a third-party provider (e.g., Apple, Google), we receive basic profile information as permitted by that provider.

We use your information to:

• Provide core functionality (location-based discovery, saved places, Scout recommendations)
• Personalize suggestions based on your history and preferences
• Send transactional communications (e.g., app links via SMS, account notices)
• With separate consent, send promotional communications
• Operate the Business Portal (listings, analytics, offer management) for business users
• Improve and troubleshoot the Service (aggregated/de-identified analytics)
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms

When you interact with Scout, your query and relevant context (e.g., location, saved places) may be sent to one or more third-party AI model providers to generate a response. We take steps to limit what’s shared to what’s necessary to answer your query.

Data minimization. Before a query is sent to a model provider, we limit what is included where possible — for example, sending your approximate area rather than precise coordinates, and excluding your account email or phone number unless directly relevant to your request.

Encryption. All data transmitted to third-party model providers is encrypted in transit.

No automated decisions with significant effects. Scout’s recommendations are informational only. We do not use Scout or any AI system to make automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects about you (e.g., decisions about eligibility, pricing, or access to services). If you have concerns about an AI-generated response, you can contact us at scout@scoutlocal.ca for a human review.

Add specifics once finalized — for example, whether providers may use your data to train their models, and retention / zero-retention agreements. Only include claims that are contractually true with your specific providers.

Current provider practices are described in this section (AI providers). If we add or change a model provider in a way that affects how your data is processed, we will update this policy and, for material changes, notify you via the app or email before the change takes effect. Because model providers may be located outside Canada, this processing is also subject to the cross-border transfer terms in Section 12.

Because location is central to ScoutLocal:

• We only collect precise location while the app is in use, or in the background if you’ve separately enabled that permission.
• You can disable location sharing at any time in your device settings; this will limit features like real-time neighborhood recommendations.
• We retain location history for [X days/months] to power “places you’ve kept” and related features, after which it is [deleted/aggregated].

TODO: replace the location retention placeholders with the actual product policy before launch.

If you provide your phone number to receive a download link or notifications, we use it solely for that purpose and any additional purposes you’ve consented to (e.g., promotional texts). We do not sell phone numbers to third parties. You can opt out at any time.

We share personal information with:

• Service providers who help us operate the Service (cloud hosting, database, analytics, AI model providers, SMS delivery) under contractual confidentiality and data-use restrictions
• Business users, limited to aggregated or anonymized analytics about listing performance — we do not share individual consumer identities with businesses without consent
• Legal authorities, if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of ScoutLocal or its users
• A successor entity, in the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, subject to this Policy or a materially similar one

We do not sell personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active, or as needed to provide the Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time (see Section 9).

We use technical and organizational measures (including encryption in transit, access controls, and row-level security on our data infrastructure) to protect your information. No system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Under PIPEDA/PIPA, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Withdraw consent (subject to legal or contractual restrictions, and understanding this may limit Service functionality)
• Request deletion of your account and data

To exercise these rights, contact privacy@scoutlocal.ca or use our Contact page. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

ScoutLocal is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have done so, we will delete it.

Our marketing website uses cookies and similar technologies for analytics and functionality. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie banner, where applicable.

Your information may be processed on servers located outside Canada (e.g., via our cloud infrastructure or AI providers), including in the United States. By using the Service, you acknowledge that your information may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via the app or email prior to the change taking effect.

Privacy questions, access, or deletion requests: privacy@scoutlocal.ca
[Company Legal Name], [Business Address]
Privacy Officer: [Name / Title]