Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

EKOW Systems, Inc. ("EKOW," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use the EKOW mobile application, website (ekow.app), and related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Platform.

We do not sell your personal information. We value your privacy and are committed to being transparent about our data practices.

2. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Riders: Individuals who request transportation services through the Platform
• Drivers: Individuals who provide transportation services through the Platform
• Driver Applicants: Individuals applying to become drivers on the Platform
• All Users: Anyone who visits our website or uses our mobile applications

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide to Us

Account Registration Information:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Profile photo (optional)
• Password

Payment Information (Riders):

• Credit/debit card number
• Billing address
• Payment card expiration date

Driver-Specific Information:

• Driver's license information (number, state, expiration date)
• Vehicle information (make, model, year, color, license plate)
• Vehicle registration documents
• Insurance information and documents
• Social Security Number (for tax reporting and background checks)
• Bank account information (for driver payments)
• Background check consent and information

Communications:

• Messages sent through the Platform
• Customer support inquiries
• Feedback and ratings you provide

3.2 Information We Collect Automatically

Location Information:

• Real-time GPS location (when the app is in use)
• Pickup and dropoff locations
• Route information during rides
• We collect location data only when you are actively using the app or when necessary for an active ride

Device Information:

• Device type and model
• Operating system and version
• Unique device identifiers
• Mobile network information
• IP address

Usage Information:

• App feature usage patterns
• Ride history and transaction records
• Timestamps of app activities
• Crash reports and performance data

Cookies and Similar Technologies:

• Session cookies for website functionality
• Analytics cookies to understand usage patterns
• We do not use cookies for third-party advertising

3.3 Information from Third Parties

Background Check Providers:

• Criminal background check results (via Checkr)
• Driving record information (via Checkr)
• Identity verification results (via Veriff)

Payment Processors:

• Transaction confirmation and status
• Fraud prevention signals

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 Providing and Improving Our Services

• Facilitating ride requests and matching riders with drivers
• Processing payments and driver compensation
• Providing customer support
• Sending service-related notifications (ride updates, receipts, account alerts)
• Improving and optimizing the Platform
• Developing new features and services

4.2 Safety and Security

• Verifying driver identity and eligibility
• Conducting background checks on drivers
• Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and unsafe behavior
• Investigating incidents and accidents
• Enforcing our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines

4.3 Legal Compliance

• Complying with applicable laws and regulations
• Responding to legal requests and court orders
• Meeting tax reporting requirements
• Retaining records as required by law

4.4 Communications

• Sending service updates and ride notifications
• Responding to your inquiries
• Sending promotional communications (with your consent)
• Providing safety alerts and platform updates

4.5 Analytics (Anonymized Data Only)

• Understanding how users interact with the Platform
• Analyzing aggregate usage trends
• Improving user experience

Any analytics data shared with partners is anonymized and aggregated. We never share personally identifiable information (PII) for analytics purposes.

5. How We Share Your Information

5.1 We Do NOT Sell Your Personal Information

EKOW does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5.2 Sharing Between Riders and Drivers

To facilitate rides, we share limited information between riders and drivers:

Drivers see:

• Rider's first name
• Rider's profile photo (if provided)
• Pickup and dropoff locations
• Rider rating

Riders see:

• Driver's first name
• Driver's profile photo
• Driver's rating
• Vehicle information (make, model, color, license plate)
• Driver's real-time location during the ride

5.3 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Platform:

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.

5.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to:

• Valid subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes
• Requests from law enforcement agencies
• Government regulatory inquiries
• Protection of our legal rights
• Emergency situations involving potential harm

5.5 Business Transfers

If EKOW is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

5.6 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

After the retention period, data is securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit (TLS/SSL) and sensitive data is encrypted at rest
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view personal information
• Secure Storage: Data is stored in secure, access-controlled cloud environments
• PII Protection: Sensitive information like Social Security Numbers is encrypted using industry-standard encryption
• Regular Audits: We regularly review our security practices

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights and Choices

8.1 Account Information

You can access and update your account information at any time through the app:

• Profile information
• Payment methods
• Communication preferences

8.2 Location Data

You can control location sharing through your device settings. Note that disabling location services will prevent you from using ride services.

8.3 Communications

• Email: Unsubscribe via the link in promotional emails
• Push Notifications: Manage through your device settings
• SMS: Reply STOP to opt out of text messages

8.4 Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account by:

• Contacting us at legal@ekowsystems.com
• Using the account deletion feature in the app (if available)

Upon deletion request, we will:

• Delete or anonymize your personal information
• Retain only data required for legal/tax compliance (up to 7 years)
• Confirm deletion within 30 days

8.5 Data Access and Portability

You have the right to:

• Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Receive your data in a portable format
• Request correction of inaccurate information

To exercise these rights, contact us at legal@ekowsystems.com.

9. State-Specific Privacy Rights

9.1 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:

• Right to Know: Request what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale/sharing of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

Categories of Personal Information Collected:

• Identifiers (name, email, phone, device IDs)
• Commercial information (ride history, payment records)
• Geolocation data
• Professional information (driver license, vehicle info)
• Sensitive personal information (SSN for drivers, precise geolocation)

To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at legal@ekowsystems.com or call 1-833-567-3569.

9.2 Other State Privacy Laws

Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, and other states with comprehensive privacy laws may have similar rights. Contact us to exercise your state-specific rights.

10. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If we discover that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe we may have information from a child under 18, please contact us at legal@ekowsystems.com.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information is stored and processed in the United States. If you are accessing the Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending you a notification through the app or email (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

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

15. Additional Disclosures for App Store Compliance

15.1 Apple App Store

In accordance with Apple's App Store requirements, we disclose:

• Data Used to Track You: We do not track users across apps or websites owned by other companies for advertising purposes.
• Data Linked to You: Name, email, phone number, payment info, location, usage data, identifiers.
• Data Not Linked to You: Anonymized crash data and analytics.

15.2 Google Play Store

In accordance with Google Play's Data Safety requirements:

• Data Collection: We collect data necessary for app functionality and do not collect data for purposes unrelated to the core ride-sharing service.
• Data Sharing: We share data with service providers only as necessary to operate the Platform.
• Data Security: We follow standard security practices including encryption in transit.
• Data Deletion: Users can request account and data deletion.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date stated above and will remain in effect except with respect to any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page.