Scouter ("we," "our," or "us") operates the Scouter mobile application (the "App"), which helps users discover local businesses through short-form video content. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
By using Scouter, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
1. Information we collect
1.1 Information you provide
- Account information: email address and password when creating an account.
- Profile information: full name, username, profile photo, and interests, if you choose to add them.
- Business information: if you register a business on Scouter, we collect the business name, address, category, contact details, hours, social media links, and any content you submit (photos, videos, descriptions).
- User-generated content: videos, photos, captions, or reports you submit or upload through the App.
- Feedback: any messages you send us through the App's feedback feature.
1.2 Location data
Scouter can use your device's precise location (GPS) to power our "near me" discovery features — showing you local businesses and content relevant to where you are. Location is collected only while the App is in use, and only with your explicit consent through your device's standard permission prompt.
If you'd rather not share your device's precise location, you can instead manually set a town or zip code within the App's settings, or decline location access entirely in your device settings. Declining may limit the App's ability to sort content by distance.
1.3 Automatically collected information
- Infrastructure logs: our backend service provider automatically logs standard technical information (such as IP address and request timestamps) as part of operating the App securely, the same way any online service does.
- Anonymous interaction signals: we track aggregate, non-identifying interaction counts — such as how many times a video was viewed, a business profile was visited, or a business's contact details were tapped — to give businesses basic performance insight. These counts are not tied to your individual account or identity.
- On-device only data: your recently viewed businesses and saved videos are stored locally on your device and are never transmitted to or stored on our servers.
Scouter does not currently use a dedicated analytics or crash-reporting SDK. If we add one in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy to describe what it collects before it goes into effect.
2. How we use your information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain the App's core features (local discovery, video feed, business profiles)
- Show you relevant content based on your location or stated interests
- Create and manage user and business accounts
- Verify you're a real person during signup (see Section 3 regarding our bot-prevention provider)
- Moderate content and enforce our content guidelines
- Respond to support requests, reports, and feedback
- Give businesses basic performance insight into their own listing (views, profile visits, contact clicks)
- Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or abuse
- Comply with legal obligations
3. How we share your information
We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:
- Backend infrastructure: We use Supabase to store account data, business listings, videos, and related content securely. Supabase processes this data on our behalf under its own data processing terms.
- Email delivery: We use Resend to send account-related emails, such as email confirmation and password reset messages.
- Bot and spam prevention: We use Cloudflare Turnstile during account signup and sign-in to verify you're a real person and to protect the App from automated abuse.
- Public content: Business profiles and approved videos are, by design, publicly visible within the App to other users, since Scouter's purpose is local discovery. Your profile name, username, and profile photo may also be visible to other users where relevant (for example, alongside content you've submitted).
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Scouter, our users, or the public.
- Business transfers: If Scouter is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Privacy Policy or a comparable one.
4. Content moderation & reporting
Business listings and videos are manually reviewed before they become visible to other users — nothing is published automatically. Once published, users can report content or accounts they believe violate our guidelines directly within the App. Reported content is reviewed and may be removed, and accounts or listings may be suspended or deactivated for violations.
5. Data retention
We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the App's services. If you delete your account, we delete your personal information, business listing, and uploaded videos, except where we are required to retain limited information to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements.
6. Your rights and choices
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your account and associated personal information
- Withdraw consent for location access at any time (via device settings)
- Object to or restrict certain processing of your data
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@joinscouter.app.
If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, or California, you may have additional rights under the GDPR or the CCPA, respectively. We will honor applicable requests consistent with those laws.
7. Children's privacy
Scouter is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required by your country of residence), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under the applicable age without appropriate consent, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@joinscouter.app.
8. Data security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, including access controls and encryption at the infrastructure level provided by our service providers. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. International users
Scouter's infrastructure providers may store and process data in countries other than your own. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to these locations, which may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction.
10. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by other means before the change takes effect. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised.
11. Contact us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:
Email: info@joinscouter.app