Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Ride Splits is committed to protecting your privacy while connecting riders and drivers through a safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation platform. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, how long we retain it, and the choices you have in managing your data. We believe in transparency and strive to give you control over your personal information.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all users of the Ride Splits platform, including riders, drivers, institutional partners, and visitors to our websites or mobile applications. It also applies to any interaction with our services such as contacting support, participating in promotions, or referring others.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to information that cannot be used to identify you or that has been anonymized.

3. Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you provide directly, including:

• Account Details: This includes your name, email address, phone number, password, and optional profile photo. You may also include demographic details (e.g., gender, age range) or preferred language.
• Payment Info: When you add a payment method, we collect payment card details, billing address, and other verification data (e.g., CVV, ZIP code) through secure payment processors.
• Driver Info: If applying to drive, you provide us with documents like your government-issued ID, driver's license, car insurance, vehicle registration, and bank account for earnings.
• Verification Materials: For safety, we may request real-time selfies or scans of your ID to confirm your identity.
• Feedback & Support: When you leave a rating, send a complaint, or contact support, we collect the content of those messages and any associated attachments.

B. Automatically Collected Data

As you use our services, we collect:

• Location Data: We collect your GPS location continuously during a ride and intermittently while the app is active. This includes start and end locations, route, and approximate background location.
• Device Info: Includes your device type, operating system version, mobile network, browser type, IP address, and unique device identifiers.
• Usage Data: Tracks interactions within the app, including screens visited, features used, ride request frequency, completion rates, promo code usage, and app crashes.
• Cookies & Trackers: We use cookies, pixels, and analytics SDKs to understand website traffic, deliver relevant ads, measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and enhance your app experience.

C. Information from Third Parties

• Background Screening: For drivers, we receive driving history and criminal record data from third-party background check vendors.
• Institutional Programs: Universities, businesses, or government agencies may provide eligibility data for subsidized rides.
• Referrals: If you were invited to Ride Splits by another user, we collect referral codes and both parties' registration details.
• Fraud Detection Partners: Vendors help identify suspicious accounts using payment behavior, IP reputation, and phone verification services.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To Provide Services: Enable ride booking, driver matching, real-time navigation, trip tracking, and fare calculation.
• To Ensure Trust & Safety: Verify identities, prevent duplicate accounts, detect fraud, investigate complaints, and monitor conduct violations.
• To Communicate with You: Send ride receipts, trip updates, account notifications, support responses, and promotional emails or push alerts.
• To Improve Our Platform: Test new features, analyze usage trends, conduct performance audits, and optimize app and route algorithms.
• To Comply with Legal Duties: Meet tax reporting, insurance verification, and law enforcement disclosure obligations.
• To Personalize Experience & Promote Sustainability:
  • Suggest faster routes based on your ride history.
  • Display your cumulative carbon savings and traffic congestion reduction stats.
  • Show estimates of money saved (riders) or earned (drivers) through app usage.
  • Provide badges or incentives for eco-friendly travel behavior.

5. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell your data for profit. We share your data under specific conditions:

• With Other Users: Riders see their driver's name, profile image, vehicle make, model, license plate, and rating. Drivers see the rider's first name, profile photo, and pickup/drop-off location.
• With Trusted Vendors: These include secure payment processors, cloud infrastructure providers, background screening companies, analytics tools, support platforms, and advertising networks.
• With Your Consent: If you opt to link your account to a third-party service or share your trip with a friend.
• For Legal Reasons: To comply with subpoenas, enforce terms, respond to claims, or protect our platform, users, or others.
• In Business Transactions: During mergers, acquisitions, reorganization, or asset sales, your data may be transferred under equivalent protections.

6. Data Retention & Security

We employ industry-standard practices to secure your information:

• Encryption: Sensitive information is encrypted at rest and in transit.
• Access Controls: Only authorized staff have access to identifiable data.
• Retention Periods:
  • Trip history and profile data: Kept for at least 7 years to comply with business, tax, and audit obligations.
  • Payment records: Retained per financial and regulatory requirements.
  • ID documents and support data: Kept until no longer needed for risk or fraud investigations.
• Deletion Requests: We honor deletion requests within 30 days, unless data is subject to ongoing legal or security concerns.

7. Your Rights & Choices

We empower you to control your data:

• Access & Edit: Update profile details, change settings, or revise preferences directly through the app.
• Delete Account: Request account deletion under your profile settings.
• Opt Out: Decline promotional messages via email links or app preferences.
• Control Location Data: Toggle GPS tracking from your device settings, with the understanding that key features may be disabled.
• Request Data: Submit a data export request for a copy of your profile, trip, and usage history.

8. Trust, Community & Enforcement

We monitor accounts for behavior that violates our community standards. Users may be suspended or permanently removed for listed but not limited to:

• Harassment or abuse
• Unsafe driving or riding
• Identity misrepresentation
• Policy violations
• Discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected traits

Reports are investigated by our trust and safety team and may result in law enforcement involvement if required.

User Reputation Data

To promote trust and safety, we maintain a backend user reputation score (0%–100%) based on signals such as reliability, policy adherence, compliments, and complaints. This score is not displayed to other users. You may request your current score via help@ridesplits.com or the FAQ page. We retain enforcement records and identifiers (including driver’s license number) to prevent evasion. For accounts closed, we retain driver’s license information for at least 2 years; for bans, we store limited identifiers (name, last name, driver’s license number) in a banned‑users record to enforce bans. Our legal basis includes legitimate interests in platform safety and fraud prevention.

9. Children's Privacy

Ride Splits is not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect or store data from children. If we learn of a minor account, we will delete associated information and disable access.

10. Policy Updates

We reserve the right to update this policy to reflect product changes or legal developments. You will be notified via email or in-app banners if changes are material. Your continued use of Ride Splits after changes indicates your acceptance of the new terms.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or want to exercise your rights, contact us at:

• Email: help@ridesplits.com

Ride Splits Legal Department

For region-specific rights (e.g., CCPA, GDPR), reach out for detailed instructions and forms.