Everyone

Privacy Policy

How Hikingspot collects, uses, shares, and retains personal data, including POPIA-related rights where applicable.

Last updated: March 2026

1. Who this applies to

This policy applies to passengers, drivers, and visitors. Some sections apply only when you use a specific role (for example, vehicle and licence details for drivers).

2. Information we collect

Account and profile: Name, email, phone number, date of birth where required, profile image, and preferences you provide when registering or updating your profile.

Trip and booking data: Origins, destinations, preferred or scheduled departure times, seat counts, booking and trip status, fare or payment-related metadata as implemented in the app, and messages needed to coordinate trips.

Driver and vehicle verification: For drivers, we may collect identity documents, licence details, vehicle registration, insurance or clearance documents where our verification flow requires them, and status of verification checks.

Technical and device data: Device type, operating system, app version, approximate location or location derived from trip inputs where you choose to share it, IP address, diagnostics, and security-related logs to protect accounts and prevent abuse.

Support and communications: Content you send to support, feedback, and records of communications with us.

3. How we use information

Provide, operate, and improve trip matching, bookings, trip status, and in-app features.

Authenticate users, secure accounts, detect fraud, and enforce our Terms of Service.

Send service-related messages (e.g. booking updates, security alerts) and, where permitted, product notices.

Comply with law, respond to lawful requests, and defend our legal rights.

Generate aggregated or de-identified insights for operations and product improvement where allowed.

4. Legal bases (including South Africa)

Where the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) or similar laws apply, we process personal information on bases such as: performance of a contract with you, legitimate interests (running a secure platform, fraud prevention, analytics that do not override your rights), consent where we ask for it, and legal obligation.

6. Retention

We retain information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the service, comply with law, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Some information may be retained in aggregated or anonymised form. Account deletion flows may use delayed anonymisation as described below and in-app.

7. Security

We use administrative, technical, and organisational measures designed to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we encourage strong passwords and device security.

8. Your rights

Depending on applicable law, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, object to or restrict certain processing, withdraw consent where processing is consent-based, and lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Contact us at the email below. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

9. Passengers — supplemental notice

As a passenger, we use your information to create and manage your account, match and manage bookings, share necessary trip details with matched drivers, and communicate about trip status. You can adjust some choices in the app; account lifecycle options (deactivate / delete) are described below and in-app.

For a passenger-focused summary, see our Privacy notice — passengers.

10. Drivers — supplemental notice

As a driver, we collect and use information needed to verify eligibility, list vehicles, manage driver bookings, coordinate trips with passengers, and maintain platform safety. This may include document verification outcomes and trip history tied to your account. Poor compliance with platform rules or safety expectations may affect your ability to continue using driver features, as set out in our Terms of Service.

For a driver-focused summary, see our Privacy notice — drivers.

11. International transfers

Our service providers may process data in countries other than where you live. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (such as contractual clauses) compatible with applicable law.

12. Children

Hikingspot is not directed at children under the minimum age required to enter a contract in their region. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. We will post the updated version on this page and, where appropriate, notify you through the app or by email. Continued use after the effective date means you acknowledge the updated policy, subject to applicable law.

14. Automated trip matching and logic

We use software rules and systems to suggest or align trips based on factors such as route, timing, seat capacity, booking status, and operational constraints. This processing supports coordination on the platform; it is not intended to replace your judgment about whether to accept a trip. If you have questions about a match or status, contact support.

15. Location and device permissions (apps)

The apps may request permissions (for example for notifications or, where relevant, location) to deliver core features. You can review and change permissions in your device settings. We also process place information you type into trip requests (cities, stops) even when precise location permission is off.

16. Contact

Privacy questions: support@hikingspot.app

General information: info@hikingspot.app · Automated notifications: noreply@hikingspot.app

Website: https://hikingspot.app