Legal
Privacy Policy
We keep it simple: we collect only what we need, protect it carefully, and never sell it to anyone.
1. Information We Collect
When you use HelixRide, we collect information that is necessary to provide you with safe and reliable rides. This includes:
- Account information: Your name, email address, and phone number when you register.
- Location data: Your precise GPS location while the app is active, so we can match you with nearby drivers and enable live tracking.
- Payment information: Your payment card details are processed by Stripe. We store only a secure token — never your raw card number, CVV, or full card data.
- Trip data: Pickup and drop-off locations, trip duration, distance, and fare for each completed ride.
- Device information: Device model, operating system version, and app version for diagnostic and debugging purposes.
- Communications: Messages or requests you send to our support team.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Match riders with available drivers in real time.
- Enable live GPS tracking for both riders and drivers during a trip.
- Process payments automatically at the end of each ride.
- Send trip receipts and account notifications by email.
- Provide customer support when you contact us.
- Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unsafe behavior on the platform.
- Improve the reliability and performance of the app through aggregated, anonymized analytics.
We do not use your personal information for advertising purposes and we do not sell it to third parties.
3. Location Data
HelixRide requires access to your device's location to function. Specifically:
- While using the app: We collect precise GPS location in real time. For riders, this enables driver matching and live tracking. For drivers, this enables dispatching and navigation.
- After a trip ends: Location data from that trip is stored as part of your trip history (pickup and drop-off points only). Continuous GPS data from the ride is not retained after the trip is complete.
- Background location: For drivers, the app may request background location access to receive ride requests while the app is in the background. This is optional and can be managed in your phone's settings.
You can revoke location permissions at any time in your device settings, though this will prevent the app from functioning correctly.
4. Payment Data
All payment processing is handled by Stripe (stripe.com), a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment service provider. When you add a payment method:
- Your card details are sent directly to Stripe's secure servers.
- HelixRide receives and stores only a Stripe-issued token that represents your payment method.
- We never have access to your full card number, CVV, or expiration date.
Stripe's privacy policy is available at stripe.com/privacy.
5. Data Sharing
We share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
- With your driver: When a ride is matched, the driver sees your first name, profile photo (if set), and your pickup and drop-off locations. They do not have access to your full name, phone number, email, or payment details.
- With riders (drivers only): Riders see the driver's name, photo, vehicle details, and real-time location during an active trip.
- With Stripe: Payment information as described above.
- When required by law: We may disclose information in response to a valid legal request, court order, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or protect our rights.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing or commercial purposes.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. Specifically:
- Trip records: Kept for 3 years to support receipts, disputes, and service improvement.
- Account data: Retained until you request deletion of your account.
- Support communications: Kept for 2 years.
After the applicable retention period, or upon a valid deletion request, data is deleted or anonymized.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request that we delete your account and associated data. You can initiate this from within the app or by emailing us.
- Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format.
- Objection: Object to certain uses of your data.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@helixride.com. We will respond within 30 days.
8. Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), secure token storage for payment methods, access controls limiting who can view user data internally, and regular security reviews.
No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at support@helixride.com.
9. Children's Privacy
HelixRide is not directed at children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will delete it promptly. If you believe we have collected data from a minor, please contact us.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes, we will notify you in the app or by email. Your continued use of HelixRide after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
HelixRide
Email: support@helixride.com