Privacy policy

1. Overview

This policy explains what information Faros Guides (operated by Sandvos Creations LLC) collects, how we use and protect it, and the choices you have. By using Faros Guides you agree to this policy.

2. Information we collect

Account information: your name, email, password (stored in hashed form by our authentication provider), and role (angler or guide).

Profile information: location, bio, fishing experience level, preferences, profile photo, and similar details you choose to provide.

Guide verification documents: for Guides seeking verification, we collect government-issued identification, fishing guide license details (number, state, expiry), proof of insurance, and any optional certifications you upload (such as CPR or captain's license). These are sensitive personal documents and are handled as described in Section 5.

Booking and trip information: trips you book or offer, dates, party size, messages between users, ratings, and trip notes.

Payment information: payments are processed by our third-party processor (Stripe). Faros Guides does not collect or store full payment card numbers. We receive limited transaction information such as confirmation, amount, and status.

Usage and device information: basic technical data such as log data and device or browser information used to operate and secure the platform.

3. How we use your information

We use information to create and manage accounts; operate bookings, payments, messaging, and reviews; review Guide verification documents; provide customer support; protect against fraud and misuse; comply with legal obligations; and improve the platform. We do not sell your personal information.

4. Trip notes

After a completed trip, a guide may write notes about how it went — technique, an angler's pace, what worked on the water. We keep these open rather than secret: any notes written about you are available to you on request, and you can ask for the personal data Faros Guides holds about you at any time by emailing privacy@farosguides.com. These notes are encouraged as constructive, technique-focused feedback that helps anglers improve and helps the next guide run a great trip. Anglers' star ratings are also shown on their public profile.

5. How we handle verification documents

Because verification documents are sensitive, we apply additional safeguards:

• They are stored in a private, non-public location that is not accessible by public URL.
• Access is restricted to authorized administrators for the purpose of reviewing a Guide's verification, enforced by database-level access controls.
• Document links are served via short-lived, signed URLs that expire, rather than permanent public links.
• We use these documents only to assess verification and to comply with legal obligations — not for marketing or any unrelated purpose.
• We retain verification documents only as long as necessary for verification and legal or record-keeping purposes, and delete or restrict access to them when no longer needed.

6. How we share information

We share information only as needed to operate the platform:

• Between users, as required for bookings (for example, a Guide sees an Angler's booking details; users see each other's messages and public profile information).
• With service providers who help us operate, under confidentiality obligations — for example, our hosting, database, and authentication provider and our payment processor. These providers process data on our behalf.
• For legal reasons, when required by law or to protect rights, safety, or prevent fraud.
• In a business transfer, if Faros Guides is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

We do not sell personal information or share it for third-party advertising.

7. Data security

We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect your information, including row-level access controls in our database, private storage for sensitive documents, signed and expiring document links, and encryption in transit. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You provide information at your own risk and are responsible for safeguarding your account credentials.

8. Data breach

If we become aware of a security incident affecting your personal information, we will notify affected users and authorities as required by applicable law.

9. Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the platform, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Verification documents are retained as described in Section 5. You may request deletion as described below, subject to legal retention requirements.

10. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of your personal information, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise these rights, email privacy@farosguides.com and we will respond as required by applicable law.

11. Children

Faros Guides is not intended for anyone under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it.

12. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies necessary to operate the platform (such as keeping you signed in) and to understand basic usage. You can control cookies through your browser settings; some features may not work without them.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. We will post the updated version with a new "Last updated" date and, for material changes, notify users by email.

14. Contact

Questions or requests about your privacy? Email us at privacy@farosguides.com.