Privacy Policy
Effective 2026-06-01 · Last updated 2026-06-01
Privacy Policy
Effective date: June 1, 2026 Last updated: June 1, 2026
goScout ("goScout," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you use goscout.ca (the "Platform"), in accordance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Quebec's Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (Law 25).
1. Who We Are
goScout is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. goScout is an online marketplace connecting customers with local service providers. For privacy inquiries, contact us at: [email protected]
2. What Information We Collect
Information you provide directly
All users (customers and providers): full name, email address, password (stored as a one-way cryptographic hash - never in plain text), sign-in method (email/password or OAuth provider such as Google).
Service providers additionally provide: business name, business category and service area, pricing information, portfolio photos and logo, phone number(s), contact email, website URL, self-declared license number and insurance status, availability calendar, bio and business description.
Customers additionally provide: job descriptions submitted to providers, preferred dates and scheduling preferences, written reviews and review photos.
Information collected automatically
IP address (for security and fraud prevention), browser type and device information, pages visited and time spent on the Platform, search queries entered on the Platform, cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 9).
3. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected: creating and managing your account, connecting customers with service providers, processing provider subscription payments via Stripe, sending transactional emails, improving search results and platform performance, detecting fraud, sending marketing emails (only with your explicit opt-in), and complying with legal obligations.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
4. How We Share Your Information
With other users: Provider profiles are publicly visible. Contact information is publicly visible to all visitors, including those who are not signed in. This information is provided by Providers for the purpose of being contacted about their professional services. Providers may update or remove this information at any time via their account settings.
With service providers (vendors): Stripe (payment processing), Resend (transactional email), DigitalOcean (hosting and infrastructure), Sanity (content management). All vendors are contractually required to process data only as instructed and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Legal requirements: We may disclose personal information if required by law, court order, or regulatory authority.
5. Your Rights
Under PIPEDA and Quebec Law 25, you have the right to access, correct, delete, and port your personal information, withdraw consent for optional processing, and file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at priv.gc.ca. Quebec residents have additional rights under Law 25. To exercise any of these rights, email [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days. To delete your account, use the account deletion option in your settings or contact us directly.
6. Data Retention
Active account data: duration of account. Deleted account PII: anonymized within 30 days of deletion request. Payment records: 7 years (required by CRA). Server logs: 90 days. Review content: retained (anonymized after account deletion).
7. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored on servers located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (DigitalOcean Toronto data centre). We implement reasonable security measures including encrypted passwords (bcrypt hashing), HTTPS for all data in transit, and access controls. In the event of a data breach affecting your rights, we will notify you and the applicable privacy regulator as required by law.
8. Children's Privacy
goScout is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, contact us at [email protected].
9. Cookies
We use cookies to maintain your login session, remember your search preferences, and analyze usage patterns. You can control cookies through your browser settings. We do not use advertising cookies or share cookie data with ad networks.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or by posting a notice on the Platform at least 14 days before the change takes effect.
11. Contact Us
Privacy Officer: [email protected]