Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 6, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to LOCL.

We are a community-first platform committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how LOCL, Inc. ("LOCL", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, shares, and safeguards your information when you access or use our services.

By using LOCL, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please discontinue use of the platform.

We do not sell personal data, and we do not allow outside corporate advertising. LOCL is built to empower local connection—not exploit personal information.

LOCL is available to users worldwide. While we are based in the United States, we comply with applicable data protection laws in the regions where we operate, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU/EEA and other international privacy frameworks. By using LOCL from outside the United States, you acknowledge that your data may be transferred to, processed, and stored in the U.S. or other jurisdictions with different data protection laws.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the minimum information necessary to deliver a meaningful and secure experience on LOCL.

a. Personal Information

When you register for an account or use platform features, you may voluntarily provide:

Name
Email address
Phone number
Location
Profile photo
Other details you choose to share

We may use your email address to send platform-related communications (e.g., account verification, feature updates), and—with your consent—marketing communications that include inspiring stories, product updates, and community news. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” or contacting us at privacy@locl.com.

b. Non-Personal Information

We may collect anonymized or aggregated data that does not identify you directly, including:

General demographics
Preferences and engagement patterns
Community activity

c. Automatically Collected Data

To improve and secure our services, we collect certain technical data:

Device information (e.g., browser, operating system)
IP address and approximate geolocation
Log data (e.g., pages visited, session duration, interaction history)

3. Legal Basis for Data Use

We process your data based on:

Consent: When you explicitly permit certain uses (e.g., email marketing).
Contractual Necessity: To create and maintain your account and access platform features.
Legitimate Interests: For security, service improvement, and fraud prevention—unless these interests are overridden by your rights.

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling without your consent.

Note: LOCL does not currently use AI systems to process or moderate content. Should that change in the future, we will update this policy to reflect how AI is used, including what data is involved and what controls are available to users.

4. How We Share Your Information

We only share your information under limited and specific circumstances:

a. Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party providers to support core services such as hosting, customer support, analytics, and payment processing. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it solely for authorized purposes.

b. Legal Requirements

We may disclose your data to comply with legal obligations, such as court orders, law enforcement requests, or regulatory processes.

c. Business Transfers

If LOCL is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or asset sale, your personal data may be transferred under appropriate confidentiality protections.

d. Protection of Rights

We may share data to protect the safety of users, enforce our Terms of Use, detect or prevent fraud, or respond to security threats.

Note: For international transfers, LOCL ensures compliance with applicable data protection laws through safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses or other approved mechanisms.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data, including:

Encryption in transit and at rest
Access controls and secure authentication
Routine security assessments

In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and any required regulatory authorities in accordance with applicable laws (e.g., within 72 hours under GDPR).

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Enable core platform functionality
Understand user engagement
Improve your overall experience

You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings. A dedicated cookie management tool will be introduced soon to provide in-app controls. Essential cookies are required and cannot be disabled.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
Correction: Fix inaccurate or incomplete data.
Deletion: Request data removal, subject to legal exceptions.
Restriction: Limit how we use your data in specific cases.
Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Objection: Opt out of specific uses, including marketing communications.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@locl.co. We will respond within 30 days or as required by law.

California Residents: While LOCL does not sell personal data, a “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” option is available to comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to:

Provide services and maintain your account
Fulfill legal, regulatory, or accounting obligations
Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Inactive accounts are deleted or anonymized after 12 months unless retention is required by law. Transaction records may be retained for up to 7 years.

9. Children’s Privacy

LOCL is not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware of unauthorized data collection from a minor, we will delete it immediately. Parents or guardians may contact us at privacy@locl.co for concerns.

10. No Data Sales or Corporate Ads

LOCL does not sell your data to third parties.
LOCL does not host outside corporate advertising.
We are a community-first platform built on trust, not surveillance or ad revenue.

11. Force Majeure

LOCL is not responsible for delays or failures in data protection or services caused by events outside our reasonable control, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, internet outages, or government action.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material updates will be communicated through the platform or email notifications, and the “Last Updated” date will be adjusted. Continued use of LOCL following such updates indicates your acceptance of the revised terms.

13. Contact Us

For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or data protection practices, contact:

LOCL Support
Email: privacy@locl.com

14. User-Generated Content and Platform Governance

Users are solely responsible for any content they post on LOCL. By uploading or sharing content, you confirm that you own or have the legal right to share it. LOCL assumes no liability for user-submitted content.

By posting content, you grant LOCL a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display, host, and distribute that content solely for the operation and visibility of the platform. This license ends once the content is deleted by you or your community, unless required by law or archived under legitimate platform operations.

Communities on LOCL are self-governed. Moderators and leaders may remove content based on community guidelines. LOCL will only intervene in situations involving clear legal violations such as criminal activity or regulatory mandates. We do not moderate lawful but controversial content.