1. Introduction
MyTravelBuddy is a travel platform designed to help users discover trips, connect with other travellers, find travel buddies and participate in travel-related activities.
This Privacy Policy explains what information MyTravelBuddy may collect, why that information is used, how it may be shared, and the choices available to users.
2. Information We Collect
Depending on the features you use, MyTravelBuddy may collect information including:
- Name and basic account information.
- Email address or other contact information provided during account creation.
- Profile information and profile photo, where provided.
- Travel preferences and interests.
- Destination preferences.
- Trip information created, hosted, requested or joined by you.
- Information contained in content you voluntarily submit to the platform.
- Information necessary to process notifications, requests and platform interactions.
3. User-Generated Content
Users may voluntarily submit information and content while using MyTravelBuddy.
This may include:
- Profile information.
- Profile or trip images.
- Trip descriptions.
- Travel preferences and interests.
- Information submitted through reports or support requests.
4. How We Use Your Information
We may use collected information to:
- Create and manage user accounts.
- Provide travel and buddy-matching functionality.
- Display relevant trips and travel information.
- Process trip join requests and related activities.
- Send account and trip-related notifications.
- Provide customer support.
- Detect, investigate and prevent suspicious or abusive activity.
- Maintain and improve the platform.
- Protect the security and integrity of MyTravelBuddy.
5. Information Visible to Other Users
MyTravelBuddy includes social and travel discovery features. Therefore, certain information may be visible to other users depending on the feature being used.
This may include information such as:
- Public profile information.
- Travel interests and preferences, where displayed.
- Trip information for trips you host or participate in.
- Information necessary for travel buddy or trip-related interactions.
Users should avoid publishing personal information such as passwords, financial credentials, government identification numbers or other sensitive information.
6. Notifications & Communications
MyTravelBuddy may send notifications related to your account and activities on the platform.
- Travel buddy requests.
- Trip join requests.
- Request acceptance or rejection.
- New messages or platform activity, where applicable.
- Important account or security notifications.
7. Payments & Transactions
Certain MyTravelBuddy features may involve payments or transactions.
Where a third-party payment service is used, payment processing may be handled by that provider according to its own terms and privacy practices.
MyTravelBuddy will not intentionally request or store payment credentials beyond what is necessary for the relevant payment functionality, subject to the actual implementation of the platform.
8. Images & Cloud Storage
MyTravelBuddy may use third-party cloud services to store and deliver images or other media uploaded through the platform.
For example, images may be processed or stored through Cloudinary when required by platform functionality.
Users should only upload images and content that they are permitted to share.
9. Cookies & Local Storage
MyTravelBuddy may use browser cookies, local storage or similar technologies for functionality and preferences.
These technologies may be used for:
- Maintaining login/session-related functionality.
- Remembering cookie preferences.
- Remembering personalisation settings.
- Supporting platform functionality.
Available cookie preferences can be managed through the Cookie Settings option provided within the platform.
10. Third-Party Services
MyTravelBuddy may use third-party service providers to operate specific features.
Depending on the functionality being used, these may include services for:
- Image storage and delivery.
- Payment processing.
- Authentication or security.
- Hosting and infrastructure.
- Analytics or service improvement, where enabled.
Third-party providers may process relevant information according to their own policies and applicable requirements.
11. Data Security
MyTravelBuddy uses reasonable technical and organisational measures intended to protect information against unauthorised access, misuse, alteration or loss.
Account passwords are intended to be stored using secure password-hashing practices.
However, no internet-based service can guarantee absolute security. Users should protect their login credentials and avoid sharing passwords with anyone.
12. Safety, Fraud & Abuse Prevention
Information may be processed when necessary to identify, investigate or respond to suspected fraud, abuse, security incidents, policy violations or other harmful activity on the platform.
Users may report suspicious activity through the Report a Problem or Help & Support features available on MyTravelBuddy.
13. Data Retention
MyTravelBuddy may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, maintain account functionality, comply with applicable requirements, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and protect the platform.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type and purpose of the information.
14. Account & Data Deletion
Users may request deletion of their account or personal information where such controls are available or through the appropriate MyTravelBuddy support channel.
Some information may need to be retained where required for legitimate purposes, security, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, or applicable legal requirements.
15. Your Privacy Choices
Depending on applicable law and the features available on the platform, users may have rights or choices regarding their personal information.
These may include:
- Requesting access to certain personal information.
- Requesting correction of inaccurate information.
- Requesting deletion where applicable.
- Managing available cookie preferences.
- Raising privacy-related concerns.
16. Protecting Your Information
Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials and for the information they voluntarily publish on the platform.
Please do not share passwords, payment credentials, government identification documents or other sensitive information through public profiles, trip descriptions, messages or other user-generated content.
17. Children & Age Requirements
MyTravelBuddy is intended to be used by individuals who meet the minimum age requirements applicable to the platform.
We do not knowingly request unnecessary personal information from children who are not permitted to use the service.
18. Changes to This Privacy Policy
MyTravelBuddy may update this Privacy Policy when our features, services, technology or legal requirements change.
The latest version will be published on this page together with an updated effective date.
19. Contact & Privacy Questions
If you have a question, concern or request relating to privacy or personal information, please contact MyTravelBuddy through the available Help & Support or Report a Problem feature.