Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 2026

1. Introduction

The Village ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information:

  • Account information (name, email address)
  • Profile information (display name, photo, general location area, bio)
  • Professional information (for caregivers: experience, certifications, hourly rates)
  • Family member information (for families: number of care recipients, ages, and care needs — visible to caregivers on discovery; personal names of care recipients are only shown to confirmed matches)
  • Identity verification documents (stored privately; accessible only by platform administrators)

Usage Information:

  • Messages and communications through the platform
  • Appointment and availability data
  • Reviews and ratings
  • Connection and match history
  • Device information and IP addresses
  • Usage patterns and interactions with the platform

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide and maintain the platform services
  • Connect caregivers with families seeking care
  • Process identity verification requests
  • Facilitate communication between users
  • Display your profile to other users based on search criteria
  • Send notifications about matches, messages, and appointments
  • Improve and personalize your experience
  • Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
  • Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

With Other Users:

Your profile information (name, photo, general location area, bio, specializations, experience, rates, and availability) is visible to other users of the platform. For family profiles, care recipient information (number of recipients, ages, and care needs) is visible to caregivers on the discovery page to help them find the right fit. Personal names of care recipients are only shown to confirmed matches.

Identity Verification Documents:

Identity documents submitted for verification are stored in private, secured storage and are accessible only by platform administrators for the purpose of account verification. They are never shared with other users.

We Do Not Sell Your Data:

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Service Providers:

We may share information with trusted service providers who assist in operating our platform (hosting, analytics, email services). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

Legal Requirements:

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of The Village, our users, or others.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., resolving disputes, enforcing agreements).

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal information
  • Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information through your profile settings
  • Deletion: Delete your account and associated data at any time
  • Privacy Settings: Control profile visibility (hide from discovery)
  • Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from non-essential communications

8. Children's Privacy

The Village is not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage patterns, and personalize content. You can control cookie settings through your browser, though some features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

10. Third-Party Links

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

11. International Users

If you are accessing The Village from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located. By using our platform, you consent to this transfer.

12. 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 this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: support@thevillageapp.ca

By using The Village, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.