Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Petinger collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”).

2. Data Controller

Petinger is the Data Controller for personal data processed through the Platform.

3. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal data:

3.1 Identity Data

  • Full name
  • Profile images (users and pet sitters)
  • Government-issued ID / passport (verification purposes)

3.2 Contact Data

  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Home address

3.3 Verification Data

  • Utility bills (pet sitter verification)
  • Identity verification documents

3.4 Financial Data

  • Payment details (processed securely via Viva Payments; Petinger does not store full card details)

3.5 Pet-Related Data

  • Pet descriptions
  • Health information
  • Behavioral information
  • Special needs and instructions

3.6 Usage Data

  • Platform activity
  • Booking history
  • Device and log data
  • IP address

3.7 Uploaded Media

  • Profile images
  • Property/home images uploaded by pet sitters

4. Purpose of Processing

We process personal data for:

  • Account creation and management
  • Identity verification and trust & safety
  • Booking facilitation between users
  • Payment processing via Viva Payments
  • Fraud prevention and security
  • Legal and regulatory compliance
  • Platform improvement and analytics

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We rely on the following legal bases:

  • Performance of a contract
  • Consent of the user
  • Legitimate interest (platform safety, fraud prevention, service improvement)
  • Legal obligation compliance

6. Data Sharing

We may share data with:

  • Other users (as necessary for bookings)
  • Viva Payments (payment processing)
  • Hosting and cloud service providers
  • Analytics providers

We do NOT sell personal data.

7. International Transfers

Data may be transferred and processed within the EU and, where necessary, outside the EU with appropriate safeguards.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary:

  • Account data: duration of account + 5 years after closure
  • Booking data: 7 years (legal/accounting purposes)
  • Verification documents: up to 5 years or as required by law
  • Communication data: 3 years
  • Usage data: up to 24 months
  • Uploaded images: duration of account + 12 months after deletion request review

9. User Rights Under GDPR

Users have the right to:

  • Access personal data
  • Rectify inaccurate data
  • Request data portability
  • Restrict processing
  • Object to processing

9.1 Deletion Limitation

Due to safety and fraud prevention requirements involving animal welfare and platform integrity:

  • Users may NOT self-delete accounts directly
  • Account deletion requests must be reviewed and approved by Petinger

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use:

  • Essential cookies (required for platform operation)
  • Analytics cookies
  • Marketing cookies (only with consent)

Users may manage cookie preferences via consent settings.

11. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

12. Third-Party Services

We use:

  • Viva Payments (payment processing)
  • Analytics providers (platform performance monitoring)
  • Hosting providers (cloud infrastructure)

Each third party processes data under its own GDPR obligations.

13. Contact

For privacy requests, contact: noreply@petinger.com