Privacy Policy for RouteBuddy

Effective Date: February 27, 2026

RouteBuddy ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how your personal information is collected, used, and disclosed by RouteBuddy. This Privacy Policy applies to our mobile application named RouteBuddy.

By accessing or using our Service, you signify that you have read, understood, and agree to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service.

1. Information We Collect and Use

We collect information to provide better services to all our users. The types of information we collect include:

A. Personal Data

When you register for RouteBuddy, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to:

• Phone Number: Used for authentication via Firebase Phone Auth to verify your identity.
• Name / Nickname: Used to display your profile to other drivers in your Alliance.
• Vehicle Information: Type of vehicle (e.g., Van, Truck) to help match jobs.

B. Location Data

RouteBuddy collects your device's location data to:

• Allow you to select "Pickup" and "Delivery" locations on the map when creating a job.
• Calculate distances for logistics purposes.
• Show your general availability status to your trusted Alliance network (only if enabled by you).

We use Google Maps technology to visualize this data. We may request access to your location even when the app is in the background if you enable navigation or tracking features, though our core MVP functionality primarily uses foreground location.

C. Contact List Information

To fulfill the core functionality of the app—creating a "Trusted Alliance"—RouteBuddy requests access to your contact list.

• Purpose: We use this data solely to help you find and invite other drivers from your address book to your private network.
• Storage: We do not store your entire contact list on our servers. We only process the specific contacts you choose to invite or interact with.

D. Usage and Device Data

We automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate the App. This information does not reveal your specific identity (like your name or contact information) but may include device and usage information, such as your IP address, browser and device characteristics, operating system, language preferences, referring URLs, device name, country, location, information about how and when you use our App, and other technical information. This information is primarily needed to maintain the security and operation of our App, and for our internal analytics and reporting purposes.

2. Third-Party Service Providers

We employ third-party companies and individuals due to the following reasons:

• To facilitate our Service;
• To provide the Service on our behalf;
• To perform Service-related services; or
• To assist us in analyzing how our Service is used.

We want to inform users of this Service that these third parties have access to your Personal Information. The reason is to perform the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose.

We use the following third-party services:

• Google Firebase (Auth, Firestore, Cloud Functions): Used for backend infrastructure, user authentication, and real-time database services.
• Google Analytics for Firebase: Used to analyze user behavior and improve the app.
• Firebase Crashlytics: Used to detect and fix crashes in the app.
• Google Maps: Used for map visualization.
• Photone: Used for geocoding.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect in various ways, including to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain our App.
• Improve, personalize, and expand our App.
• Understand and analyze how you use our App.
• Develop new products, services, features, and functionality.
• Communicate with you, either directly or through one of our partners, including for customer service, to provide you with updates and other information relating to the App.
• Find and prevent fraud.

4. Data Retention and Deletion

We will retain your Personal Information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use your information to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies.

Your Rights: You have the right to request the deletion of your account and all associated data. You can do this by contacting us at mobidev_startups@mobi-dev.com.

Upon request, we will delete your personal information from our active databases, although some information may be retained in our backups for fraud prevention and legal compliance.

5. Security of Your Data

The security of your data is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Children's Privacy

Our Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. In the case we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we will be able to do necessary actions.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, you are advised to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately after they are posted on this page.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at:

• Email: mobidev_startups@mobi-dev.com
• Developer Name: Mobidev