Privacy Policy

At SpotingBites, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it. This policy explains:

  • Types of information collected through our services.
  • How we collect, use, maintain, protect, and disclose that information.

Scope: This policy applies to information collected through:

  • Our websites, applications, and online services (our “Services”).
  • Email, text, and electronic communications sent through our services.

Exclusions: This policy does not apply to information collected by:

  • Third-party services are used through our services.
  • Social networks are used in connection with our services.

Your Consent: By using our services, you agree to this privacy policy. If you disagree, please do not use our services.

Changes to This Policy: We may update this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after changes are made constitutes acceptance of those changes. Please check back regularly for updates.

Information Collection and Use

We collect two types of information:

  1. Personal Identification: Information that identifies you personally.
  2. Usage and Device Data: Information about your internet connection, device, and usage details.

We collect this information:

  1. Directly from You: When you provide it to us.
  2. Automatically: Through your navigation of our Services, using:
    • Cookies
    • Web beacons
    • Other tracking technologies
    • Collection of usage details and IP addresses

Information You Provide to Us

We collect various types of information from you, including:

  1. Account Information: Full name, email, address, password, and other details.
  2. Profile Picture: Publicly displayed as part of your profile.
  3. Preferences: Time zone, location, language, and other settings.
  4. Content: Reviews, photos, videos, comments, lists, and other information.
  5. Searches and Activities: Search terms, results, browsing history, and ad clicks.
  6. Communications: Messages with users, merchants, and us.
  7. Transactional Information: Payment details, billing information, and transaction history.

Using Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Enhance functionality and improve services.
  • Personalize your experience.
  • Display relevant advertising.
  • Provide support and communicate with you.
  • Comply with legal obligations.

User Contributions

You may provide information to be publicly displayed or transmitted to others. Please be aware that:

  • Security measures are not perfect.
  • We cannot control other users’ actions.
  • Your contributions may be viewed by unauthorized persons.

Information About Your Friends

If you invite friends to join our services, we’ll only use their contact information to process your request.

Messaging Information

When you exchange messages through our Services:

  1. We store them to process and deliver and for you to manage.
  2. We may investigate potential Terms of Service violations or wrongdoing.
  3. If you send info via SMS, we log the phone number, carrier, date, and time.

Note: Carriers may charge recipients for received texts.

Automated Data Collection

We may automatically collect information about your:

  1. Device: Computer, mobile device, IP address, operating system, browser type, and device ID.
  2. Usage: Traffic data, location data, logs, communication data, and resources accessed.
  3. Location: Real-time location information, as permitted by you.
  4. Activity: Search queries, comments, pages viewed, clicks, and time spent on our services.
  5. Preferences: Time zone, location, language, and other settings.
  6. Mobile Status: Online or offline status of our mobile application.
  7. Files and Storage: Metadata and information associated with files stored on your mobile device.

Third-Party Tracking

Advertising and analytics companies may use device IDs to track your activity, display relevant ads, and measure performance.

Location Information and Opt-Out

When using our location-enabled services, we collect and process:

  • GPS location (latitude, longitude, altitude)
  • Time of location recording

To provide location-based features and customize our services.

Your Consent: Some features require personal data. We associate location data with your device ID and other information.

Data Retention: We keep location data for as long as necessary to provide services.

Opt-Out: Withdraw consent by disabling GPS/location tracking on your device. Refer to your device manufacturer’s instructions.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We and our partners use cookies and similar technologies to collect and store information about your use of our services and third-party websites.

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device, recognizing you as a registered user, storing preferences, and enhancing your experience.

Types of Cookies:

  1. Persistent cookies: Remain on your device until they have expired or been deleted.
  2. Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser.

Other Tracking Technologies:

  • Pixel tags (web beacons): Tiny graphics tracking webpage activity, ad impressions, and email opens.
  • Flash cookies: Store data differently than browser cookies.

Managing Cookies:

Most browsers automatically allow cookies. You can:

  • Disable third-party cookies.
  • Block all cookies (may affect functionality).
  • Modify settings in your browser.

Opting Out: You must opt out of each browser and device.

Third-Party Cookies: Partners and social media services may use cookies. Check their privacy policies for more information. By using our services, you consent to our use of cookies.

Information from Third Parties

We collect, process, and store information from:

  1. Social Media Accounts: When you sign in or connect with our Services using social media (e.g., Facebook, Google), we collect and use information you make available, such as public profile information.
  2. Third-Party Sources: Partners, marketers, websites, researchers, and others may share information about you with us, which we combine with our existing data.

Please note:

  • Review your social media provider’s privacy policy and help center for more information on sharing data.
  • We use this information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Anonymous or De-Identified Data

We may anonymize and/or de-identify information collected from you, making it non-personally identifiable. This includes:

  • Using third-party web analytic tools
  • Aggregating data for statistical analysis

Usage and Disclosure

Our use and disclosure of anonymized and/or de-identified information are not restricted by this Privacy Policy and may be shared with others without limitation.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect from and about you for various purposes, including:

  • Processing and responding to queries
  • Improving Services and personalizing content
  • Completing transactions and making special offers
  • Administering Services and diagnosing technical issues
  • Sending requested communications and relevant ads
  • Enabling user interactions and participation
  • Conducting research and generating reports
  • Providing customer support and account notices
  • Carrying out contractual obligations
  • Notifying you about Service changes

Third-Party Advertising

We may use your information to display targeted advertisements. If you interact with an ad, the advertiser may assume you meet their target criteria.

Opting Out

If you don’t want us to use your information for promotional purposes, please adjust your preferences in your account profile or check the relevant box on our data collection form.

How We Share Your Information

We may disclose your personal information in the following ways:

  1. Affiliates and Subsidiaries: To entities under common ownership or control.
  2. Service Providers: To contractors and vendors who support our business under confidentiality agreements.
  3. Mergers and Acquisitions: In the event of a merger, sale, or transfer of assets.
  4. Marketing: To third parties, with your consent, to market their products or services.
  5. Fulfilling Purpose: To fulfill the purpose for which you provided the information.
  6. Legal Purposes: To comply with legal processes, investigate illegal activities, or protect rights and safety.
  7. Social Networks: When interacting with social media features governed by those companies’ privacy policies.
  8. Terms Enforcement: To enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements.
  9. Protection: To protect our rights, property, or safety, and that of our customers or others.
  10. Consent: In any other circumstances where we have your permission.

Please note that we require third parties to keep your personal information confidential and use it only for the purposes for which we disclose it to them.

Information Shared with Businesses

When transacting with a business through our services:

  • Your information is shared with us and the business.
  • We provide your information to facilitate the transaction.
  • If you provide a mobile number, you may receive text messages.
  • Some businesses require credit/debit card information to secure transactions.
  • We may share additional information (e.g., preferences, history) with businesses.

Note:

  • Businesses may use shared information for their own purposes.
  • We don’t control businesses’ privacy practices.
  • Contact businesses directly for their privacy policies.

Payment Card Information

To use certain services, we require credit/debit card information. By submitting this information:

  • You consent to share it with businesses, payment processors, and other service providers.
  • You agree to our terms for payment card information.

How We Share Payment Card Information

  • When securing a transaction, we share card information with payment service providers and the applicable business.
  • When using our payment services, we share card information with payment service providers, who may store it for future transactions.

Security Measures

For information about the security of your payment card information, see the “Security” section below.

ANALYTICS AND TAILORED ADVERTISING

We use third-party analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to understand your use of our services. These tools:

  1. Collect data on your usage patterns.
  2. Please help us evaluate and improve our services.

To opt out of Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on to prevent data collection.

Tailored Advertising

Third parties may use cookies or similar technologies to collect information about your use of our services. This helps them:

  • Serve tailored ads based on your past visits.
  • Report on ad impressions and interactions.

Third-Party Advertisers

We allow third-party advertisers (e.g., ad networks and ad servers like Google Analytics) to serve tailored ads on our services. They may access their own cookies or similar technologies on your device.

Opting Out of Tailored Advertising

  1. Visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s Consumer Opt-Out Link.
  2. Visit the Digital Advertising Alliance’s Consumer Opt-Out Link.
  3. Visit the Google Ads Settings page to opt out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising.

Mobile Application Advertising

To opt out of tailored in-application ads on mobile devices:

  • Follow instructions for your operating system (iOS, Android, Windows Phone).
  • Review support materials and/or privacy settings for your device or operating system.

Do Not Track

We’re committed to giving you choices about third-party data collection through our services. That’s why we provide opt-out links to:

  • NAI “Consumer Opt-out”
  • DAA opt-out
  • Google opt-out

However, we currently don’t recognize or respond to browser-initiated Do Not Track signals, as industry standards and solutions are still evolving.

Choices About Your Information

We provide you with choices regarding your personal information:

Cookie Management:

  • Set your browser or mobile device to refuse or limit cookies.
  • Manage Flash cookie settings on Adobe’s website.

Consequences of Disabling Cookies: Note that disabling cookies may make some parts of our Services inaccessible or non-functional.

Data Sharing: We do not share your personal information with advertising agencies.

Communications Choices

By signing up for an account, you opt-in to receive emails from:

  • Other SpotingBites users
  • Businesses
  • SpotingBites itself

Reviewing, Changing, or Deleting Information

To review, change, or delete your personal information or to permanently delete your account:

  • Use the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of every page.
  • Email us at contactus@spotingbites.com.

Note:

  • Deleted User Contributions may still appear in cached and archived pages.
  • Copies may have been stored by other users or third-party services.

Refer to our Terms of Service for guidelines on accessing and using information on our websites.

ACCESSING & CORRECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We strive to maintain accurate records of your personal information. You have the right to:

  • Review, update, and correct your personal information.
  • Request deletion of inaccurate, incomplete, or irrelevant information.

Limitations

Your rights may be limited in certain situations:

  • Excessive or abusive requests.
  • Protection of others’ rights or safety.
  • Ongoing or anticipated legal proceedings.
  • Investigations of potential unlawful activity.

Our records retention policies and applicable laws, including statutory retention requirements, also apply.

SECURITY: PROTECTING YOUR INFORMATION

We prioritize data security and have implemented robust measures to safeguard your information:

  • Physical, electronic, and managerial procedures
  • Industry-standard security protocols for transmission and storage
  • Vault and tokenization services from PCI-compliant third-party providers
  • Payment gateway and processing services from PCI-compliant providers

While we strive to ensure the security of your information, no method is 100% secure. We, therefore, cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Role in Security

To keep your information secure:

  • Do not share your username, password, or security information
  • Be cautious of unauthorized access

We will consider instructions received using your credentials as authorized by you.

CHILDREN UNDER 13

Our services are not intended for children under 13. We:

  • Do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
  • Do not market to or solicit information from anyone under 13.

What We Do If We Discover Underage Use

If we become aware that a user under 13 has submitted personal information, we will:

  • Delete the account and related information as soon as possible.

Report Underage Use

If you believe we have information from or about a child under 13, please contact us at contactus@sportingbites.com

Our services may contain links to third-party websites or services. Please note:

  • We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of these external sites.
  • We do not endorse or represent these third-party websites or services.
  • Our Privacy Policy does not apply to information collected by these third parties.

Your Responsibility

When interacting with third-party links or services, please:

  • Read their privacy policies carefully.
  • Understand how they collect, use, and share your information.

COMPLIANCE WITH DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS

We comply with industry-standard regulations for data collection, use, and retention. Please note:

  • Your information may be processed and stored in various locations, including the US, India, and other global servers.
  • Data protection rules may vary depending on the country.
  • By using our services, you consent to the collection, transfer, use, storage, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

For Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions about your personal data, please contact us at contactus@sportingbites.com

DATA RETENTION AND ACCOUNT TERMINATION

To close your account, email contactus@sportingbites.com. We will:

  • Remove public posts from view
  • Dissociate posts from your account profile

Retention of Information

We may retain information about you for authorized purposes unless prohibited by law. This includes:

  • Preventing, investigating, or identifying possible wrongdoing
  • Complying with legal obligations

Deletion or De-identification

After account closure, we will either:

  • Delete your personal information
  • De-identify it to make it anonymous and non-attributable

JOB APPLICANTS

If you submit your information through our service for a job application:

  1. We will use your information to consider your application.
  2. We may retain your information for any period of time.
  3. We may share your information with:
    • Other companies to evaluate your qualifications.
    • Third-party service providers for candidate submission management and analysis.

CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

  • Changes in laws or regulations
  • Updates to our data collection and use practices
  • New features or technologies

Please check this page periodically for changes.

Effective Date of Change: Changes will be effective as of the date posted.

Your Consent: Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your consent and acceptance of those changes.