Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 28 April 2025

At Herdle, your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you use the Herdle app, website, and services (“Services”). It also outlines your rights and choices regarding your information, particularly under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and relevant international regulations.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our Services.

1. Who We Are

Herdle Limited (“Herdle,” “we,” “us,” “our”) operates the Herdle app and website.

Website address: www.herdle.io

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, including requests to delete your personal data, please contact us at: 📧 hello@herdle.io

2. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technological advancements. When we make changes, we will update the “Effective Date” and notify users where required by law.

Please check this page periodically for updates. Your continued use of the Services after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

3. Information We Collect

Information You Provide:

Account registration details including name, email address, mobile number, password, date of birth, gender identity.
Profile content such as photos, bios, interests, location, and event availability.
Communications including messages exchanged with other users or with Herdle.
Payment details, if you purchase premium features (processed via third-party platforms).
Comments you leave on the website; the data shown in the comment form, your IP address, and browser user agent string to help spam detection.
An anonymised string created from your email address (a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to check if you use it. Gravatar’s privacy policy is here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible publicly in the context of your comment.

Information Collected Automatically:

Device data including IP address, operating system, device identifiers, browser type.
Usage data such as interactions with the app or website, preferences, search activity, clickstream data.
Geolocation information, general or precise location, if you consent through your device settings.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies:

We use cookies, web beacons, local storage, and other tracking technologies to:

Authenticate users
Analyse app and website performance
Personalise content and advertising
Enhance security and fraud prevention

Types of cookies and tracking technologies include:

HTTP Cookies: Small files stored by your browser on your device. Some cookies are persistent and some are session-only.
Local Storage and Session Storage: Data stored within your browser that can persist beyond session or just for a session.
Device Identifiers: Unique IDs provided by your device or platform to recognise your device for analytics or advertising.
Third-Party Cookies and Pixels: Cookies and tracking technologies set by third-party providers (e.g., Google Analytics, AdRoll).

You can control and manage cookies through your device or browser settings. Some third-party partners may also use cookies independently; their privacy policies apply. More information about cookies is available at www.allaboutcookies.org.

Information from Third Parties:

Social logins such as Google, Facebook, or Apple if you link your accounts.
Third-party services including event booking platforms, payment processing providers (e.g., Stripe, Apple Pay), media upload services, and hosting providers.

4. How We Use Your Information

We process your personal information to:

Operate, maintain, and improve the Herdle platform
Match you with other users and events based on your profile and preferences
Customise your user experience
Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
Communicate service updates, promotional offers (if consented)
Process payments and subscription services
Protect the safety, security, and integrity of the platform and users
Meet legal obligations or enforce our Terms of Service

We only process your personal data when we have a lawful basis such as your consent, contractual necessity, legitimate interests, or legal compliance.

5. Sharing of Your Information

We may share your information with:

Service Providers: Trusted third parties involved in hosting, analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), communication tools, event integrations, payment processing (e.g., Stripe, Apple Pay).
Other Users: Information you make public in your profile such as name, photos, interests.
Marketing Partners: With your consent, limited data may be shared for marketing, retargeting, or analytics purposes.
Business Transfers: Your information may be transferred in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information to comply with law enforcement requests, legal processes, or regulatory requirements.

6. Third-Party Services and App Store Policies

When using Herdle, you may interact with third-party platforms including but not limited to:

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Google Maps and OpenWeather APIs
Firebase (authentication and storage)
Supabase (database and authentication services)
Agora (video/audio services)

Your use of these services is subject to their respective privacy policies. Herdle is not responsible for their privacy practices.

Purchases made through the App Store or Google Play are governed by the stores’ terms and refund policies.

7. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be processed and stored in countries outside New Zealand, including the United States, Australia, and the European Union. We use safeguards such as standard contractual clauses to protect your data in these transfers.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:

Encryption of sensitive data
Access controls
Secure server infrastructure
Regular security audits

However, no method of internet transmission is completely secure. Use the platform at your own risk.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable laws, you have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
Withdraw consent for marketing communications
Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances
Lodge a complaint with the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at: hello@herdle.io

International users may have additional rights under GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA, and other laws.

10. International Privacy Laws

If you reside outside New Zealand, additional rights may apply:

European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA): Your data is processed according to GDPR. You have rights including access, correction, erasure, objection, data portability, and complaint lodging.
United Kingdom (UK): We comply with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. See Section 11 below for more details.
Australia: We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
United States: Residents of certain states (e.g., California, Virginia) may have rights under CCPA or similar laws.

We respect all applicable international privacy frameworks to ensure your data protection.

11. UK-Specific Privacy Rights

If you are based in the United Kingdom:

Herdle complies with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
You have the right to access, rectify, or erase your personal information, restrict or object to processing, and request data portability.
You may lodge complaints with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your rights have been infringed.
ICO Website: www.ico.org.uk

For inquiries about UK personal data handling, contact: hello@herdle.io

12. Retention of Information

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined or as required by law.

If you delete your account or request deletion, we will initiate the deletion process subject to legal obligations such as fraud prevention and financial record-keeping.

13. Age Restriction

Herdle is intended for users aged 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we discover a user is under 18, we will remove the account promptly.

14. Contacting Us

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: 📧 hello@herdle.io

You also have the right to contact the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner via www.privacy.org.nz.

By using Herdle, you acknowledge you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.