Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Sello Journeys ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Sello Journeys mobile application (the "App").

By using Sello Journeys, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our App.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you create an account with Sello Journeys, we collect the following information:

• Name: First and last name
• Email Address: Used for account creation, login, and communications
• Password: Securely hashed and encrypted for account access

Location Information

To provide our core service of commemorating your visits to destinations, we collect:

• Precise Location Data: When you grant us permission, we access your device's location services to determine if you are within a geofence of curated locations. This allows us to automatically capture stamps when you visit special places.

Location data is only collected when you have the App open or when you have granted background location permissions. You can control location permissions through your device settings at any time.

Automatically Collected Information

We collect limited usage analytics to improve our service:

• Last Login Date/Time: We track when you last accessed the App for internal analysis of platform usage frequency

We do not collect tracking information, advertising identifiers, or detailed behavioral analytics.

Information We Do Not Collect

We do not collect:

• Payment information (no in-app purchases)
• Social media information
• Contacts or photos
• Health data
• Device identifiers for advertising purposes
• Browsing history or app usage beyond last login

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

1. Provide Core Services: To create and manage your account, authenticate your identity, and deliver the stamp collection functionality of the App
2. Location-Based Features: To determine when you visit curated locations and automatically award stamps to commemorate your travels
3. Service Improvement: To analyze usage patterns (via last login data) and understand how frequently users engage with our platform
4. Communications: To send you important updates about your account, service changes, or technical notices
5. Security: To protect against unauthorized access and maintain the security of your account

We use your information solely to provide and improve Sello Journeys. We do not use your information for advertising, marketing to third parties, or any purpose unrelated to our core service.

How We Store and Protect Your Information

Data Storage

• User Information: Your account information, including name, email, and encrypted password, is stored securely in our MongoDB database
• Sensitive Security Data: Certain sensitive information such as hashing keys are stored only on your device and never transmitted to our servers
• Location Stamps: Records of your visited locations and timestamps are stored in our database to maintain your digital collection

Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption in Transit: All data transmitted between your device and our servers uses HTTPS encryption
• Password Security: Passwords are hashed using modern, secure password hashing algorithms and are never stored or transmitted in plain text
• Data Encryption: We utilize SHA256 encryption for sensitive data
• Secure API Communications: All API calls use secure protocols to prevent interception

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data using best practices.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

Third-Party Services

We do not use any third-party analytics services, advertising networks, or external SDKs. Sello Journeys operates independently without sharing your data with third-party service providers.

We Do Not Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for any purpose.

Limited Disclosure Circumstances

We may disclose your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or legal process, or to respond to lawful requests by public authorities
• Protection of Rights: To protect and defend our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity

Your Rights and Choices

Location Permissions

You have control over location access:

• You can enable or disable location services for Sello Journeys through your device settings at any time
• Disabling location services will prevent the App from automatically capturing stamps when you visit locations

Account Information

You may:

• Update your account information (name, email) within the App
• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

• Right to Know: You can request information about the personal information we have collected about you in the past 12 months
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
• Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us at the information provided below.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you wish to delete your account, please contact us, and we will delete your information in accordance with our data retention policies and legal obligations.

Children's Privacy

Sello Journeys is available to users of all ages. However, we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us, and we will take steps to remove such information from our systems.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy
• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the App
• Sending you a notification through the App or via email (for significant changes)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

International Users

Sello Journeys is operated from the United States. If you are accessing the App 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 and databases are located. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

For California residents exercising CCPA rights, please include "CCPA Request" in the subject line of your email.

Your Consent

By using Sello Journeys, you consent to this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.