Privacy Policy

AlongSide.Guide ("AlongSide", "we", "us", or "our") operates the website at alongside.guide and associated mobile applications (collectively, the "Platform"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Platform.

By using AlongSide, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account information: name, email address, password, and profile photo when you register.
• Provider profile: bio, skills, certifications, service listings, availability, and rates.
• Seeker profile: project descriptions, skill level, tools owned, and gig posts.
• Identity & payment: when setting up payouts via Stripe Connect, Stripe collects your bank account details, tax ID, and identity documents directly. We do not store raw financial credentials.
• Communications: messages sent through our in-platform messaging system.
• Reviews & ratings: feedback you submit after a session.
• Support requests: information you provide when contacting us.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage data: pages visited, features used, search queries, time spent, and click patterns.
• Device & log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and error logs.
• Location data: approximate location inferred from IP address; precise location only if you grant permission.
• Cookies & similar technologies: session cookies for authentication, preference cookies, and analytics (see Section 6).

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Google OAuth: if you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email, and profile photo from Google.
• Stripe: payment status, payout status, and connected account identifiers.
• Referral partners: referral codes and attribution data when you arrive via an affiliate link.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Create and maintain your account and authenticate your identity.
• Facilitate bookings, payments, and session completion between seekers and providers.
• Process payouts to providers via Stripe Connect.
• Deliver in-platform messaging and booking notifications.
• Generate and issue AlongSide Verified and AlongSide Certified credentials.
• Display your public profile and service listings to other users.
• Send transactional emails (booking confirmations, payment receipts, review requests).
• Improve the Platform through analytics and usage research.
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and violations of our terms.
• Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.
• Send promotional communications (you may opt out at any time).

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only as follows:

3.1 Between Platform Users

When a booking is made, the seeker and provider share their names, general location (city/state), and session details with each other. Public profiles — including bio, ratings, and service listings — are visible to all users.

3.2 Service Providers

• Stripe: payment processing and provider payouts (governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy).
• Supabase: database and authentication infrastructure.
• Resend: transactional email delivery.
• Vercel: hosting and edge infrastructure.

All service providers are contractually bound to use your data only to provide services to us.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

3.4 Business Transfers

If AlongSide is acquired, merged, or sold, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you before your data is subject to a materially different privacy policy.

4. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law (e.g., financial records required by tax regulations, which we retain for 7 years).

5. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including TLS encryption in transit, encrypted storage at rest via Supabase, row-level security policies, and access controls. Payment data is handled exclusively by Stripe and never stored on our servers. No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies

We use the following categories of cookies:

• Essential: authentication session cookies required for the Platform to function.
• Functional: preference cookies that remember your settings.
• Analytics: aggregate usage data to improve the Platform.

You can disable non-essential cookies in your browser settings, though some features may not function correctly.

7. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access: request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: update inaccurate or incomplete information (most data is editable directly in your profile).
• Deletion: request deletion of your account and associated data.
• Portability: receive your data in a machine-readable format.
• Opt-out of marketing: unsubscribe from promotional emails using the link in any email we send.
• Restriction: request that we limit processing of your data in certain circumstances.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at support@alongside.guide. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

AlongSide is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we become aware that a minor has provided us with personal information, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a minor has used our Platform, contact us at support@alongside.guide.

9. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. International Users

AlongSide is operated in the United States. If you access the Platform from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to and processed in the U.S., where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. By using the Platform, you consent to this transfer.

11. California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To submit a CCPA request, contact us at support@alongside.guide.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or by posting a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before the change takes effect. The "Effective date" at the top of this page reflects when the current version was last revised. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

Questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy should be directed to: