1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy describes how Business Buddies ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our platform ("Service"). By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information:
- Account Information: When you register, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and password. This information is required to create and manage your account
- Client and Lead Data: You may upload or manually enter client and lead information into your CRM, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and business details. You are responsible for ensuring you have proper consent to store and use this data
- Usage Data: We automatically collect information about how you interact with the Service, including pages visited, features used, timestamps, and device information (browser type, operating system, IP address)
- Payment Information: When you subscribe to a paid plan, payment is processed through our third-party payment provider (Stripe). We do not store your full credit card number on our servers
- Communication Data: When you use our review reminders, referral texting campaigns, or other outreach features, we store records of messages sent, delivery status, and opt-out requests to ensure compliance and service functionality
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Provide the Service: To operate and maintain your account, process your CRM data, send review reminders and referral campaigns on your behalf, and deliver voice call notifications you opted into
- Improve the Service: To understand how users interact with Business Buddies so we can improve features, fix issues, and develop new functionality
- Communicate with You: To send you account-related notifications, respond to support requests, and provide updates about changes to the Service or our policies
- Process Payments: To handle billing, subscriptions, and payment processing through our third-party providers
- Enforce Compliance: To monitor for misuse of outreach features, verify consent records when necessary, and enforce our Terms of Service
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party providers to operate the Service, including hosting (cloud infrastructure), payment processing (Stripe), email delivery, SMS delivery (Twilio), and analytics. These providers only access your data as needed to perform their services and are bound by confidentiality obligations
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
- Business Transfers: If Business Buddies is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change
5. Data You Upload (Client and Lead Information)
When you upload or enter client and lead data into Business Buddies:
- Your Data, Your Responsibility: You own the client and lead data you add to the platform. You are responsible for ensuring all contacts were collected lawfully and that you have permission to contact them via phone, text, or email
- How We Use It: We use your uploaded data solely to provide the Service to you. This includes sending review reminders, referral campaigns, and other communications you initiate. We do not use your client data for our own marketing purposes
- Opt-Out Handling: When a client in your CRM opts out (via email unsubscribe link, replying STOP to a text, or direct request), we automatically flag that contact and stop all further outreach on your behalf. Opt-out records are retained to prevent accidental re-contact
- Data Deletion: You may delete individual client records or your entire account at any time. When you delete data, it is permanently removed from our active systems. Backups may retain data for up to 30 days before full deletion
6. Phone Numbers and Voice Call Notifications
Phone numbers you provide for your account are used to deliver voice call notifications you have opted into (e.g., bug fix resolution calls). Phone numbers of clients you upload are used solely to send communications you initiate through the platform. We do not share any phone numbers with third parties for marketing purposes. Phone numbers are transmitted securely to our telecommunications provider (Twilio) only as needed to complete the calls or messages you authorize.
7. Cookies and Tracking
We use essential cookies to keep you logged in and maintain your session. We may also use analytics tools to understand usage patterns and improve the Service. We do not use cookies for third-party advertising. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features of the Service may not function properly without them.
8. Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS), secure storage of credentials, and access controls limiting who can view your data. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Data Retention
We retain your account information and associated data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. If you close your account, we will delete your personal information from our active systems within 30 days. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention and record keeping.
10. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request that we update or correct inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information. You can also delete your data directly through your account settings
- Opt-Out of Communications: Unsubscribe from non-essential emails at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email we send you
- Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.
11. Children's Privacy
Business Buddies is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.
12. Third-Party Links
The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on the Service with a revised "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at [email protected].