Privacy Policy

Welcome to LeaseBites LLC ("LeaseBites," "we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is protected. This Privacy Policy outlines the types of data we collect, how it is used, and your rights regarding your information. We operate in compliance with applicable U.S. privacy laws, including the Texas Privacy Protection Act (TPPA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and adhere to the standards set by other relevant state and federal privacy regulations.

By using our website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Platform"), you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree to these terms, please discontinue using our services.

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy is designed to provide transparency about how LeaseBites collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our Platform. We aim to ensure that your data is managed responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

1.2 Scope

This policy applies to information collected through our website, mobile applications, and any other digital properties managed by LeaseBites. It covers data related to user accounts, Listings, Bookings, communications, and payment transactions.

1.3 Updates to this Policy

We may periodically update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our data practices or legal obligations. When we make material changes, we will notify you via email or through a prominent notice on our Platform. The effective date of the latest version will always be posted at the top of this document.

1.4 Contact Information

For any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data rights, please reach out to us at:

• Email: info@leasebites.com
• Website: www.leasebites.com

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information that you provide when creating an account, setting up your profile, posting Listings, or making Bookings. This may include:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number.
• Profile Data: Usernames, profile pictures, and preferences.
• Listing and Booking Data: Space or business details, descriptions, images, and rental history.

2.2 Payment and Financial Information

For payment processing, we use Stripe, a third-party payment processor, to securely handle your credit card or bank details. While we do not store full payment information on our servers, transaction details (such as payment amount, payment method, and transaction date) are collected and linked to your account for booking management and compliance purposes.

2.3 Automatically Collected Data

When you interact with our Platform, we automatically collect information such as:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• Usage Information: Pages visited, links clicked, time spent on the site, and other activity logs.
• Location Data: If enabled, we may collect approximate location data to enhance service relevance.

2.4 Third-Party Sources

We may receive additional information about you from third-party partners, such as identity verification services or analytics providers. This helps us improve our service offerings and validate information.

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Core Service Provision

We use your information to provide, maintain, and improve our Platform. This includes:

• Facilitating Listings and Bookings.
• Managing user profiles and preferences.
• Enabling secure communications between Users.

3.2 Payment Processing

For all payment-related activities, we rely on Stripe. Your financial data is processed according to Stripe’s privacy practices. We only use basic transaction data (such as amount and status) to track and manage your bookings and service fees.

3.3 User Communications

We may use your contact details to send necessary service updates, booking confirmations, or respond to support inquiries. You can also receive account-related notifications that are critical to our services.

3.4 Compliance and Security

We may use and retain personal information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, and maintain the security of our Platform.

3.5 Marketing and Advertising (With Consent)

We may use your contact information to send promotional offers, newsletters, or targeted marketing messages, only if you have opted in to receive such communications. You may opt out at any time.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

4.1 Contractual Necessity

We process your data to fulfill our obligations under the agreements we have with you, such as managing Listings, facilitating Bookings, and providing customer support.

4.2 Legitimate Interests

Some data processing is based on our legitimate interests, such as maintaining the security of our Platform, enhancing user experience, and preventing unauthorized access.

4.3 Consent

In specific circumstances, such as for targeted marketing or sharing data with certain third parties, we rely on your explicit consent. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time.

4.4 Compliance with Legal Obligations

We process personal data as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, including record-keeping, tax compliance, and responding to legal requests.

5. Sharing Your Information

5.1 Service Providers

We share your information with trusted service providers who perform essential functions on our behalf, such as:

• Payment Processing: Stripe handles all payment-related data and is responsible for PCI DSS compliance.
• Cloud Storage: Hosting providers securely store our databases.
• Analytics: We use tools like Google Analytics to understand site usage patterns.

5.2 User Visibility

Depending on your account type, certain profile information may be visible to other Users (e.g., Space Owners can view Truck Owners’ profiles and booking history). You can control visibility settings through your profile preferences.

5.3 Business Transfers

If LeaseBites is acquired or undergoes a corporate restructuring, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction. We will notify you before any data is subject to a new privacy policy.

5.4 Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose your data if required to do so by law or to protect the rights, safety, and property of LeaseBites, its Users, or the public.

6. Data Security and Storage

6.1 Data Protection Measures

We implement robust security measures to safeguard your data, including:

• Encryption: We use industry-standard encryption for data in transit and at rest.
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data.
• Monitoring and Audits: Regular monitoring and auditing to detect vulnerabilities and ensure compliance.

6.2 Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Data that is no longer needed will be securely deleted or anonymized.

6.3 Data Breach Response

In the event of a data breach, we will promptly notify affected Users and report the breach to relevant authorities as required by applicable law. We have a structured incident response plan to manage and mitigate any security incidents.

7. User Rights and Choices

7.1 Right to Access

You have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you. Upon request, we will provide a copy of your information in a structured, commonly used format.

7.2 Right to Correct

If your personal information is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request corrections or updates. You can edit most of your profile information directly through your account settings.

7.3 Right to Delete

You may request the deletion of your personal data if it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or if you wish to close your account. Some data may be retained to comply with legal obligations or to resolve disputes.

7.4 Right to Restrict Processing

You have the right to restrict the processing of your data in certain situations, such as if you contest the accuracy of your data or object to its processing.

7.5 Right to Opt-Out of Marketing

If you have consented to receive marketing communications, you can opt out at any time by following the unsubscribe link in the emails or by adjusting your account settings. This will not affect transactional or service-related communications.

7.6 Right to Data Portability

Where applicable, you may request to receive your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format and have the right to transmit that data to another service provider.

7.7 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us at info@leasebites.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days, or as required by law, and may require identity verification to process your request.

8. California Privacy Rights

8.1 Right to Know

You have the right to request information about the categories of personal information we have collected about you, the sources from which the information was collected, the business purposes for collecting it, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it.

8.2 Right to Delete

You have the right to request deletion of personal information that we have collected, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., compliance with legal obligations, ongoing business relationships).

8.3 Right to Opt-Out of Data Sales

LeaseBites does not sell your personal information. However, if we ever engage in data sales, you will be notified and given the option to opt out.

8.4 Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights, such as by denying services, charging different prices, or providing a different level of service.

8.5 Submitting CCPA Requests

California residents can exercise their CCPA rights by contacting us at info@leasebites.com or by calling our toll-free number, if available. We will respond to verifiable consumer requests within 45 days.

9. Children’s Privacy

9.1 Platform Not Intended for Minors

The LeaseBites Platform is not intended for children under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we learn that a minor has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such data promptly.

9.2 COPPA Compliance

We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which restricts the collection of personal information from children under 13 years of age. If you believe that we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us at info@leasebites.com.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

10.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide a better user experience. We use cookies to remember your preferences, understand site usage, and improve our services.

10.2 Types of Cookies We Use

We utilize the following categories of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of our Platform.
• Performance Cookies: Collect information on how you use our Platform (e.g., pages visited, time spent).
• Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization.
• Advertising Cookies: Track your browsing activity to deliver targeted advertising.

10.3 Third-Party Tracking Technologies

We partner with third-party analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) and advertisers to use cookies, web beacons, and tracking pixels to understand user behavior and optimize our marketing strategies.

10.4 User Control Over Cookies

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may impact the functionality of the Platform.

10.5 Do Not Track Signals

Our Platform currently does not respond to “Do Not Track” signals. If this changes, we will update this Privacy Policy accordingly.

11. Data Security

11.1 Our Security Measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. This includes:

• Encryption: We use TLS/SSL protocols for secure transmission of sensitive data.
• Access Controls: We implement strict access controls to limit who can access your data.
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of our systems to detect and prevent security threats.

11.2 Data Storage and Retention

Your data is stored in secure servers within the United States. We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. When data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

11.3 Data Breach Response

In the event of a data breach, we will promptly notify affected individuals and take appropriate steps to mitigate harm. We will also report the breach to relevant authorities as required by applicable laws.

12. Third-Party Links and Integrations

12.1 Links to Other Sites

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. These third-party sites have their own privacy policies, and we do not control their data practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these sites before providing any personal information.

12.2 Integrations with Third-Party Services

We integrate with services like Google Maps, Stripe, and identity verification providers to enhance the functionality of our Platform. When you interact with these services, you are subject to their respective privacy policies.

12.3 Social Media Plugins

Our Platform may offer social media features (e.g., the Facebook “Like” button), which collect your IP address and set cookies to enable proper functioning. Social media interactions are governed by the privacy policies of the respective platforms.

13. Data Transfers

13.1 International Data Transfers

Although we are a U.S.-based company, the personal data we collect may be transferred to and processed in countries outside of your country of residence. This may occur when we engage international service providers or when Users access the Platform from other locations.

13.2 Data Transfer Safeguards

When transferring data to jurisdictions with different privacy standards, we implement appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, to ensure your personal information remains protected.

13.3 User Consent for International Transfers

By using the Platform and providing us with your information, you consent to the transfer of your personal data across international borders in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

14. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

14.1 No Automated Decision-Making

LeaseBites does not engage in automated decision-making that would have a significant impact on Users. Decisions such as approvals for Listings or Bookings are made with human oversight.

14.2 User Profiling

We may use limited profiling techniques for purposes such as personalized marketing and enhancing user experience. You have the right to object to profiling at any time by contacting us at info@leasebites.com.

15. Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs)

15.1 Understanding DSARs

Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) are formal requests by Users to access, modify, or delete their personal data held by LeaseBites. These rights are guaranteed under privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Texas Privacy Protection Act (TPPA).

15.2 Types of DSARs We Process

Users may submit DSARs for the following purposes:

• Requesting Access: Obtain a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Requesting Correction: Modify inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Requesting Deletion: Remove data no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
• Requesting Data Portability: Receive a copy of your data in a portable format.
• Objecting to Processing: Stop the processing of data for specific uses (e.g., marketing).

15.3 How to Submit a DSAR

To submit a DSAR, please contact us via email at info@leasebites.com with the subject line “Data Access Request” or “Data Deletion Request.” You may be required to verify your identity to ensure the protection of your data.

15.4 Response Time and Procedure

We will acknowledge receipt of your request within 10 days and aim to fulfill your request within 30 days, or as required by applicable law. If we require an extension, we will notify you and provide a reason for the delay.

15.5 Limitations and Exemptions

Certain data may be exempt from DSARs due to legal obligations (e.g., financial records) or internal policies (e.g., data used for fraud prevention). If your request is denied, we will explain the reasons for the denial and provide information on how to appeal the decision.

16. Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation

16.1 Data Minimization Principle

We adhere to the principle of data minimization by only collecting personal data that is necessary for the specific purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Unnecessary or excessive data is not collected or stored.

16.2 Purpose Limitation

We only use your personal data for the purposes for which it was collected, unless you provide explicit consent to use it for other purposes. If new processing purposes arise, we will inform you and obtain your consent if required by law.

16.3 Anonymization and Pseudonymization

When possible, we anonymize or pseudonymize personal data to minimize the risk to your privacy. This involves removing identifying details to reduce the likelihood of your information being traced back to you.

16.4 Data Retention and Disposal

We retain your data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or to comply with legal obligations. Once the data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or rendered anonymous in a manner consistent with industry standards.

17. Marketing and Communication Preferences

17.1 Promotional Communications

We may send you marketing communications, such as newsletters, special offers, and event announcements, based on your preferences. You have the right to manage these communications through your account settings or by using the "unsubscribe" link in the email.

17.2 Opting Out of Marketing

You can opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time. Opting out will not affect your ability to receive transactional communications (e.g., booking confirmations, security updates).

17.3 Do Not Contact Requests

If you wish to stop all communications from LeaseBites, please send a request to info@leasebites.com with the subject line “Do Not Contact.” We will process your request within a reasonable timeframe.

17.4 Third-Party Marketing

We do not share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes unless we have obtained your explicit consent. If consent is provided, you can withdraw it at any time.

18. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

18.1 Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Texas, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes or claims arising out of or related to this Privacy Policy will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Texas.

18.2 Dispute Resolution Process

If you have a complaint or dispute regarding our data practices, we encourage you to first contact us at info@leasebites.com to resolve the issue informally. We will work to address your concerns in good faith.

18.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any disputes will be resolved individually and not as part of a class or collective action. By using our Platform, you waive any right to participate in class actions or representative claims.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

19.1 Right to Amend

LeaseBites reserves the right to modify or update this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective upon posting the updated policy on our Platform.

19.2 Notification of Changes

If we make significant changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you through email or a prominent notice on the Platform. It is your responsibility to review this policy periodically to stay informed of any changes.

19.3 Continued Use as Acceptance

Your continued use of our services following any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. If you do not agree with the changes, please discontinue using the Platform and contact us to close your account.

20. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us using the information below:

• Company Name: LeaseBites LLC
• Email: info@leasebites.com
• Website: www.leasebites.com

For formal data protection requests, please include your full name, contact information, and a detailed description of your inquiry to help us respond promptly.