Privacy Policy

Last updated: 20 April 2026

Pettel ("we", "us", or "our") operates the Pettel mobile application and website at pettel.ie. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• Account information: your name, email address, phone number, and password (stored as a secure hash).
• Profile information: for boarders, this includes your location, bio, photos, service rates, and insurance documents. For owners, this includes details about your dogs.
• Booking data: dates, services booked, messages exchanged, and check-in photos shared during a stay.
• Payment information: we use Stripe to process payments. We do not store your card details — these are handled directly by Stripe. We store transaction records and booking amounts.
• Identity verification data: boarders are verified through Stripe Identity, which may collect identity document images. This data is processed by Stripe and subject to their privacy policy.
• Device information: push notification tokens to send you booking alerts. We do not collect location data without your explicit consent.
• Usage data: basic server logs (IP addresses, request timestamps) for security and debugging.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and operate the Pettel platform, including processing bookings and payments.
• To verify the identity of boarders and display trust badges to dog owners.
• To send transactional emails (booking confirmations, password resets, review prompts).
• To send push notifications about your bookings (you can opt out in device settings).
• To respond to support requests and resolve disputes.
• To detect and prevent fraud or misuse of the platform.

3. Sharing Your Information

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

• Between users: your name, profile photo, and listing details are visible to other users as part of the marketplace. Booking parties can see each other's contact details.
• Stripe: payment processing and identity verification. See stripe.com/privacy.
• Tigris / AWS S3: uploaded photos and documents are stored in object storage.
• Legal requirements: we may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we permanently delete your profile, bookings, messages, and associated data within 30 days. Some data may be retained longer where required by law (e.g. financial records).

5. Your Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have the following rights:

• Access: request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: correct inaccurate data.
• Erasure: delete your account and data — available directly in the app under Account Settings.
• Portability: receive your data in a machine-readable format.
• Objection: object to processing of your data for certain purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@pettel.ie.

6. Security

We use HTTPS, hashed passwords (bcrypt), and token-based authentication. Payments are handled entirely by Stripe and never touch our servers in raw form. We regularly review our security practices.

7. Children's Privacy

Pettel is not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify users of significant changes via email or in-app notification. Continued use of Pettel after changes constitutes acceptance.

9. Contact

For privacy-related questions, contact us at privacy@pettel.ie or write to: Pettel, Ireland.