Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to UpBuoy! This Privacy Policy explains how UpBuoy ("UpBuoy," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information obtained from users ("you," "your") of our website (upbuoy.com), our mobile applications ("Apps"), and the services provided through them (collectively, the "Services").

Our Services are designed specifically for pool service professionals to manage their business operations, including scheduling, routing, customer management, service tracking, billing, and communication. We understand the importance of the data you entrust to us, including information about your business, your employees, and your customers.

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information to provide and improve our Services:

a. Information You Provide Directly:

• Account Information: When you sign up for UpBuoy, we collect information such as your company name, owner name, contact names, email addresses, phone numbers, business address, username, password (stored securely using hashing), and billing information for your UpBuoy subscription.
• User Information: Information about technicians or administrators you add to your account, including their names, email addresses, usernames, and assigned permissions.
• Customer Data You Input: You input information about your customers into UpBuoy, including names, company names, billing and service addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, gate codes, dog names, service rates and types, tags, notes, body of water details (gallons, type), and specific equipment details (make, model, notes). You are responsible for ensuring you have the necessary rights and permissions to provide your customer data to us for processing through the Services.
• Service & Work Order Data: Information logged during service visits, including dates, times, assigned technicians, chemical readings, chemical dosages, checklist items completed, items marked as installed, service notes (internal), work performed descriptions, and photos taken through the App related to service stops or work orders.
• Billing & Payment Information (UpBuoy Billing): If you use UpBuoy Billing, information related to invoices generated (dates, line items, amounts, status), payments received (date, amount, method type, status, transaction IDs), customer stored payment method tokens (securely provided by our payment processor, Stripe  we do not store full card numbers or bank details), AutoPay settings, tax information, and quote details.
• Communication Data: Content of support requests, feedback provided, configurations for service emails/texts, broadcast email content and recipient lists.

b. Information Collected Automatically:

• Usage Data: We collect information about how you and your users interact with our website and Apps, such as IP addresses, browser type, device type, operating system, pages viewed, features used, time spent, crash logs, and referring URLs.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to operate and improve our website and Services, personalize your experience, and gather usage analytics. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
• Location Information: If you grant permission, our mobile App may collect technician location data while the app is in use to facilitate features like route optimization, mapping, or "On My Way" notifications. Collection is typically limited to when the app is actively used for routing or service stops.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

• To Provide and Maintain the Services: Operate the platform, manage user accounts, facilitate scheduling, routing, service tracking, billing, and communication features.
• To Process Transactions: Facilitate subscription payments and, if using UpBuoy Billing, process customer payments securely through our payment processor (Stripe).
• To Communicate with You: Send essential service-related communications (e.g., service emails/texts to your customers as configured by you), respond to support requests, provide updates about the Services, and send administrative messages.
• For Marketing and Promotions: With your consent where required by law, we may send you emails about new features, promotions, or industry insights. You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time.
• To Improve Our Services: Analyze usage patterns, diagnose technical issues, conduct research, and develop new features and functionalities.
• For Security and Fraud Prevention: Protect the integrity of our Services, detect and prevent fraudulent activity, and enforce our terms.
• For Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requests.

4. How We Share Your Information

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

• With Service Providers: We share information with trusted third-party companies that help us operate our Services, such as cloud hosting providers (e.g., AWS), payment processors (Stripe), email delivery services (e.g., SendGrid), analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics), and customer support platforms. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.
• With Your Customers (As Directed by You): Service emails, service texts, quotes, invoices, and access to the Customer Portal are provided to your customers based on the settings you configure within UpBuoy.
• With QuickBooks Online (If You Enable Integration): If you connect your UpBuoy account to QuickBooks Online, we will share relevant customer, product, service, paid invoice, and payment data with Intuit as necessary to maintain synchronization. This sharing is controlled by your activation of the integration.
• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we have a good faith belief that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information.
• With Your Consent: We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect the information we collect from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include encryption, access controls, secure hosting environments, and regular security assessments. However, please be aware that no internet transmission or electronic storage method is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account password.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account information and the data you input into the Services for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Services. We will also retain information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Even if you delete your account, we may retain certain information in anonymized or aggregated form or as required by law. Customer data you input is generally retained as long as your account is active, as it forms part of your business records within the platform.

7. Your Rights and Choices

• Access and Correction: You can review and update your primary account information and user details through the Settings section of the UpBuoy web portal. You can also access and manage the customer data you have inputted.
• Marketing Opt-Out: You can unsubscribe from our marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the email footer or contacting us directly. You will continue to receive essential service-related communications.
• Customer Communication Opt-Out: You can configure settings within UpBuoy (e.g., Service Emails, Service Texts, Do Not Email List) to manage communications sent to your customers. Your customers can also opt-out of certain communications (e.g., replying STOP to texts, unsubscribing from broadcast emails).
• Account Deletion: You can request the deactivation or deletion of your UpBuoy account by contacting support. Please note that deleting your account is permanent and may result in the loss of data. Certain data may be retained for legal or operational purposes as described in the Data Retention section.
• Cookie Choices: You can typically manage cookies through your web browser settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16 (or the relevant age of consent in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

If you are using our Services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where our servers are located and our central database is operated. Data protection laws in the U.S. may differ from those in your country. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the U.S.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email (sent to the primary email address specified in your account) or by means of a notice on our website prior to the change becoming effective. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our privacy practices. Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of the revised policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: