Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains how Xplore Austin collects, uses, and protects your information.
Last Updated: February 5, 2026
1. Information We Collect
Account Information
When you create an account, we collect:
- Email address - We require a @utexas.edu email to verify you're a UT Austin student or affiliate. This helps maintain a trusted community.
- Profile information - Your username, display name, and profile picture (all optional and user-provided).
Location Data
With your permission, we collect your device's GPS coordinates to:
- Show you businesses near your current location
- Calculate distances to help you find nearby spots
- Display your position on the map
Your exact location is never shared with other users or businesses. Location sharing is optional - the app works without it.
User Content
Content you choose to share includes:
- Reviews and ratings you write for businesses
- Photos you upload with your reviews
- Messages you send to other users
- Businesses you save to your favorites
Usage Information
To improve the app experience, we collect:
- Businesses you view and search for
- Features you use within the app
This data is used solely for app functionality and improvement - never for advertising or profiling.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Verify your identity - Confirming you're part of the UT Austin community
- Provide core features - Showing nearby businesses, enabling reviews, and powering social features
- Enable communication - Allowing you to connect with friends and message other users
- Improve the app - Understanding how features are used to make them better
- Ensure safety - Preventing fraud, abuse, and policy violations
What we don't do: We do not sell your data to anyone. We do not use your data for advertising. We do not share your personal information with data brokers.
3. Data Sharing & Third Parties
We work with a limited number of trusted service providers:
Hosts our database and handles authentication. Your data is stored securely on their infrastructure.
Provides business information (names, addresses, photos). We do not send any personal user data to Google.
Hosts our web application. Standard web server logs may be collected.
We do not use: Third-party analytics services, advertising networks, social media tracking pixels, or data brokers.
We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a valid court order or legal process.
4. Your Privacy Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your data - Request a copy of all information we have about you
- Delete your account - Remove your account and all associated data permanently
- Control location sharing - Turn off location access at any time in your device settings
- Edit your content - Modify or delete your reviews, profile, and messages
- Export your data - Request a portable copy of your information
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at xploreatx.llc@gmail.com.
5. Data Security
We take the security of your data seriously and implement multiple layers of protection:
- Encryption in transit - All data is transmitted over HTTPS
- Secure authentication - We use one-time passcodes (OTP) sent to your email instead of passwords
- Row Level Security - Database policies ensure users can only access their own data
- Regular updates - We keep our systems and dependencies up to date
While no system is 100% secure, we continuously work to protect your information from unauthorized access.
6. Children's Privacy
Xplore Austin is designed for college students and is intended for users who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.
If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately at xploreatx.llc@gmail.com and we will promptly delete it.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Notify you through the app or via email for material changes
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:
xploreatx.llc@gmail.com
We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 48-72 hours.