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Privacy Policy

Scout Local Application Development Limited ("ScoutLocal," "we," "us," "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why, how we use and protect it, and your rights, in accordance with PIPEDA and, where applicable, BC's PIPA.

Effective:
August 6, 2026
Last updated:
October 7, 2026

1. Information We Collect

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

  • Precise or approximate location while you are using the app, used to power neighborhood-based recommendations (we do not collect location in the background)
  • 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.

2. How We Use Your Information

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

3. Scout AI and Third-Party Model Providers

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.

What we send. Your message, the recent conversation, and context that helps personalize the answer: the name and bio on your profile if you have added them, the interests you selected, and your recent searches, saved places, and Scout conversations.

What we do not send. Your location coordinates, email address, or phone number. Your location is used only by our own servers to find nearby places.

Current provider. Scout’s responses are currently generated by DeepSeek, which processes requests on servers located in China.

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.

4. Location Data — Specific Notice

Because location is central to ScoutLocal:

  • We only collect location while the app is open and in use. We do not collect location in the background.
  • You can disable location sharing at any time in your device settings, or choose to share only your approximate location; this will limit features like real-time neighborhood recommendations.
  • We do not keep a running history of where you go. We store the location attached to each search you make as part of your search history, until you delete that search or your account. The location attached to an offer you redeem is kept with that redemption record; if you delete your account, it is no longer linked to you.

5. SMS/Phone Number Data

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.

6. How We Share Information

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.

7. Data Retention

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).

8. Data Security

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.

9. Your Rights

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.

To delete your account, follow the steps on our Delete your account page.

10. Children's Privacy

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.

11. Cookies and Tracking (Website)

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.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed on servers located outside Canada, including in the United States (our cloud hosting, database, sign-in, and analytics providers) and China (the AI model provider that powers Scout, for the information described in Section 3). By using the Service, you acknowledge that your information may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions.

13. Changes to This Policy

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.

14. Contact Us

Privacy questions, access, or deletion requests: privacy@scoutlocal.ca
Scout Local Application Development Limited, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Privacy Officer: Jeremy Jacob

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