Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, information collected automatically when you use the Service, and information from third-party sources.

Information you provide

• Account information: Name, email address, password, phone number, and account type (Consumer or Contractor).
• Profile information: Location, service categories, years of experience, certifications, business name, and profile photo.
• Job details: Descriptions, photos, videos, addresses, and other information related to service requests, including AI-analyzed content from uploaded media.
• Payment information: Billing address, bank account details, and payment card information, processed and stored by our third-party payment processor (Stripe). Trovaar does not store full credit card numbers.
• Communications: Messages sent through our in-app messaging and calling systems, reviews, ratings, and support inquiries.
• Verification documents: Government-issued ID, trade licenses, certifications, and insurance documentation submitted for contractor verification.

Information collected automatically

• Log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and timestamps.
• Device information: Device identifiers, device model, operating system version, and mobile network information.
• Location data: Approximate location based on IP address, and precise GPS location if you grant permission, used to match you with nearby service providers.
• Usage data: Features used, actions taken, time spent on pages, search queries, and interaction patterns.

Information from third parties

• Authentication providers: If you sign in using Google, Apple, or Facebook, we receive your name, email address, and profile photo from these services.
• Background check providers: Verification results and status (pass/fail) for contractors who undergo background checks.
• Payment processors: Transaction status and limited payment details from Stripe.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and improve the Service.
• Match Consumers with qualified Contractors based on job requirements, location, and availability.
• Process payments, hold funds in escrow, and send transaction-related notifications.
• Verify Contractor identities, licenses, certifications, and background check status.
• Facilitate in-app messaging and calling between matched users via Twilio.
• Analyze uploaded photos and videos using AI to assist with job categorization and scope estimation.
• Send service updates, security alerts, and support messages.
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Service.
• Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from public authorities.
• Send promotional communications (you can opt out at any time).
• Analyze usage trends and conduct research to improve the platform experience.

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Between users: Consumer name, general location, and job details are shared with Contractors when a job is posted. Contractor profile information, including ratings, credentials, and verification status, is visible to Consumers. Once a bid is accepted, additional contact information may be shared to facilitate the job.
• Payment processing: We share transaction data with Stripe to process payments, manage escrow, and handle payouts to Contractors.
• Communication services: We use Twilio to power in-app messaging and calling features. Message content and call metadata are processed by Twilio.
• Verification services: Contractor identity documents and personal information are shared with our background check and verification partners to perform identity verification, criminal background checks, and license validation.
• Authentication providers: We integrate with Google, Apple, and Facebook for account sign-in. These providers receive confirmation of authentication events.
• Cloud and infrastructure: Data is stored and processed using cloud hosting providers bound by data processing agreements.
• Analytics: We use analytics tools to understand usage patterns and improve the Service. Analytics data is aggregated and de-identified where possible.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Trovaar, our users, or others.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on the Service.

4. Data Security

We implement technical and organizational measures designed to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using TLS/SSL.
• Encryption of sensitive data at rest.
• Hashed password storage using industry-standard algorithms.
• Access controls limiting employee access to personal data on a need-to-know basis.
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing.
• Secure handling and limited retention of verification documents.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you in accordance with applicable law.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Service. We may also retain certain information as required by law, to resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, or for legitimate business purposes.

After account deletion, we may retain anonymized or aggregated data that does not identify you. Transaction records and communications related to completed jobs may be retained for up to seven (7) years for legal and regulatory compliance. Verification documents are deleted within ninety (90) days of account closure unless a legal hold applies.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate and improve the Service. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. We use:

• Essential cookies: Required for authentication, session management, and core platform functionality. These cannot be disabled without affecting your ability to use the Service.
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Service so we can improve the experience.
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices to personalize your experience.

You can control non-essential cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Service.

7. Third-Party Services

The Service integrates with the following third-party services, each governed by their own privacy policies:

• Stripe: Payment processing, escrow management, and Contractor payouts.
• Twilio: In-app messaging and voice calling between users.
• Google Sign-In: Optional authentication via Google accounts.
• Apple Sign-In: Optional authentication via Apple accounts.
• Facebook Login: Optional authentication via Facebook accounts.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services before using their features through our platform. Trovaar is not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party providers.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations, active disputes, pending escrow transactions).
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email or updating your account preferences.
• Restriction: Request that we limit how we process your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Do Not Sell: We do not sell personal information. California residents may exercise their rights under the CCPA by contacting us.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address below. We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by email (sent to the address associated with your account) and/or by posting a prominent notice on the Service at least thirty (30) days before the changes take effect.

Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of the revised Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about our data practices.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please reach out:

If you are located in the European Economic Area and believe we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.