Privacy Policy

Last Updated: May 1, 2025

Anchor Technologies, LLC ("Anchor," "we," "us," or "our") provides this Privacy Policy to inform you of how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you access and use our website, mobile applications, products, services, and platform (collectively, the "Services"). This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our Services, including boat owners ("Owners"), renters ("Renters"), captains and crew, visitors, and any other parties accessing or interacting with the Services.

By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Privacy Policy. This includes when you create an account, browse listings, message other users, book a charter, submit payment information, or otherwise interact with our platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in several ways, including information you voluntarily provide, information automatically collected, and information obtained from third parties.

a. Information You Provide

• Account Registration: Full name, email address, password, date of birth, phone number.
• Identity and Verification: Government-issued ID, boating license or resume, selfie/photo for verification purposes.
• Boat Listings: Boat details, images, documents, registration, insurance certificates, pricing, and availability.
• Payment Information: Credit/debit card details, Stripe or bank account details, billing address.
• Communications: Customer service inquiries, reviews, feedback, messages sent through our platform (including via CometChat).
• Marketing and Promotions: Email opt-ins, contest submissions, referral codes.

b. Information We Automatically Collect

• Device Information: Device type, model, operating system, browser type, screen resolution.
• Usage Information: IP address, access times, pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on pages, referring/exit pages.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Cookies, web beacons, session replays, and similar tools (see our Cookie Policy).
• Location Data: Approximate or precise location depending on browser/device settings.

c. Information from Third Parties

• Payment Processors: Information from Stripe about payments, refunds, and account verifications.
• Identity Verification Services: Background checks, government ID validation, and watchlist screenings.
• Affiliates and Marketing Partners: Lead attribution data, contact information from referrals.
• Social Networks (if integrated): Profile data when you link your account with Facebook, Google, or Apple.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To operate and provide the Services, including processing bookings, payments, and communications.
• To verify identity, authenticate users, and ensure platform safety.
• To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents.
• To personalize and optimize your experience based on profile data or past usage.
• To provide customer support and resolve disputes.
• To analyze and understand trends, improve our Services, and develop new features.
• To send you service announcements, account notifications, or marketing communications.
• To comply with legal obligations or requests from law enforcement.

3. Messaging and Communications

Anchor uses third-party messaging tools, including CometChat, to facilitate real-time communication between users. We may:

• Store and review messages to resolve disputes, ensure platform safety, or improve AI-powered services.
• Use automated tools to detect spam, abuse, or prohibited content.
• Translate or summarize messages using machine learning for multilingual communication.

Messages are generally not reviewed unless flagged for moderation, fraud, or customer support. By using our messaging tools, you consent to such processing.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We and our partners use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, including:

• Maintaining login sessions and authentication.
• Remembering preferences and account settings.
• Collecting analytics to improve performance and usability.
• Serving personalized advertisements on and off our platform.

You may adjust cookie preferences in your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit certain features. For more details, refer to our [Cookie Policy].

5. Affiliate, Embedded, and Referral Links

Anchor uses unique affiliate links and embedded tools to track referrals and commissions. Users agree to:

• Use links honestly and only for permitted promotional purposes.
• Avoid misleading users or cloaking referral tracking.
• Refrain from back-soliciting Anchor customers offline.

We reserve the right to audit referral traffic, terminate users for misuse, and withhold payouts for suspicious activity.

6. How We Share Your Information

• Other Users: Relevant booking and profile information to facilitate a charter.
• Service Providers: Hosting, payments (e.g., Stripe), identity verification, messaging (e.g., CometChat), support tools.
• Partners: Marinas, insurance providers, or affiliates who support the Services.
• Legal Entities: To comply with applicable law, enforce contracts, or respond to lawful requests.
• Corporate Transactions: If Anchor is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale, or restructuring.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties for direct marketing purposes.

7. Data Retention and Account Closure

We retain your personal information as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including:

• Providing services and fulfilling transactions.
• Meeting legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements.
• Resolving disputes and enforcing our Terms of Use.

Upon request or account closure, we will delete or anonymize your information, except where retention is required by law or legitimate business purposes.

8. Data Security

We implement physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your personal information. These include:

• HTTPS encryption across our website.
• Secure payment processing via Stripe.
• Role-based access control for internal systems.
• Regular audits and monitoring of infrastructure.

No system is completely secure. Users are responsible for safeguarding their login credentials and reporting suspicious activity.

9. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the right to:

• Access and receive a copy of your personal data.
• Request corrections or updates.
• Request deletion or restriction of data processing.
• Object to certain uses (e.g., marketing).
• Withdraw consent where applicable.

You can manage some preferences in your account settings or by contacting legal@anchorrides.com.

10. Children’s Privacy

Anchor does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that a child has provided information, we will take steps to delete it. Parents who believe their child has used the Services without permission may contact us at legal@anchorrides.com.

11. International Transfers

Anchor operates in the United States. If you access our Services from outside the U.S., you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your data in the U.S. and other countries where Anchor or its providers operate. These countries may not have data protection laws equivalent to your jurisdiction.

12. Third-Party Services and Links

Our platform may include links or integrations with third-party services such as Stripe, marinas, insurance partners, or affiliate tools. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites. Please review their policies before providing information.

13. Lawful Bases for Processing (EEA/UK)

If you reside in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Consent
• Contractual necessity
• Legal obligation
• Legitimate interests (e.g., platform security, fraud prevention, or analytics)

Where we rely on your consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time.

14. California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have the right to:

• Request access to categories of personal information we collect and disclose.
• Request deletion of personal information.
• Opt out of sale or sharing of personal information (Anchor does not sell personal data).

You may exercise these rights by emailing legal@anchorrides.com.

15. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify users via email or platform banner. Your continued use of the Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

16. Contact Us

Effective Date: December 21, 2016