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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 7, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how ShelterTree Limited ("ShelterTree," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares your information when you use our platform and services (collectively, the "Service"). Your privacy is the foundation of the trust you place in our community, and our mission is to help everyone find a peaceful and secure home. This policy explains our commitment to protecting your data.

1. Information We Collect

To provide our Service, we collect information in a few different ways.

A. Information You Provide Directly

  • Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your username, email address, and a securely hashed password.
  • Profile Information: After signing up, you have the option to provide your first name, user type (Renter or Homeowner), home country, and choose a "Shelter Sprite" avatar. This information helps personalize your experience.
  • Public Content: The core of ShelterTree is community content. We collect the information you publicly post, including property details and your reviews. A review consists of your written opinions (pros and cons), numerical star ratings, and your answers to specific questions about the property (such as flooding severity, building condition, and amenities).
  • Platform Feedback: When you use our optional feedback form, we collect the suggestions you provide so we can improve our platform.
  • Communications: When you contact us, sign up for a feature waitlist, or communicate with us in any other way, we collect the information you provide.

B. Information Collected Automatically

  • Log & Usage Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically record information when you use ShelterTree, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the pages you visit. We use this to secure and improve our service.
  • Cookies: We use cookies (small text files stored by your browser) to keep you logged in and to understand how you use our site. You can control these through your browser settings.

C. Information from Third Parties

  • Google Sign-In: If you choose to sign up or log in using your Google account, we securely receive a limited set of information from Google, as permitted by your Google privacy settings. This includes your primary email address, your first and last name, and your profile picture URL. At no point do we ever receive or store your Google password.
  • Property Data: When you add a new property, we use the Google Places API to help autofill details like the address and coordinates. We store the permanent Google Place ID as a reference.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to operate, improve, and secure our platform.

  • To Provide and Maintain the Service: To display your reviews and profile, allow you to log in, and operate the core features of ShelterTree.
  • To Secure Your Account: To verify your identity through email confirmation and optional phone number verification.
  • To Protect Our Community and Prevent Fraud: To maintain the integrity of our platform, we analyze user content and technical information to detect and prevent activity that violates our Terms of Service and Content Guidelines. This may include analyzing IP addresses to identify suspicious geographic patterns and screening content to detect spam or fake reviews.
  • To Communicate With You: To send you important service updates, security alerts, and, with your consent, to notify you about new features or ask for your feedback. You can opt-out of non-essential communications at any time.
  • To Improve Our Platform: By analyzing usage data and platform feedback, we can understand what features are popular and how to make ShelterTree better and more user-friendly.

3. How We Share Your Information

We only share your information in limited circumstances.

  • Publicly on ShelterTree: Your public content, including your reviews, questions, answers, username, and chosen avatar, is visible to anyone who visits our site.
  • With Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party companies to help us operate, such as cloud hosting providers (like AWS or Google Cloud) and communication services (like Twilio or AfricasTalking to send verification codes). They are contractually obligated to protect your data.
  • For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to a valid legal request.

4. Your Rights & Choices

You are in control of your personal information.

  • Access and Update: You can access and edit your profile information at any time through your "My Profile" page.
  • Account Deletion: You can request to delete your account by contacting us. When your account is deleted, your personal profile information (name, email, etc.) will be permanently removed. To maintain the integrity and value of the community resource, your anonymized reviews will be retained on the platform without your name or any identifying information.
  • Marketing Opt-Out: You will have a clear option to unsubscribe from any non-essential marketing emails we send.

5. Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously and use standard technical measures, such as HTTPS encryption and password hashing, to protect it. However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

6. Children's Privacy

ShelterTree is not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will notify you by email or through a notice on our platform.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please don't hesitate to contact ShelterTree Limited by using our contact form.