Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Maria's Scoop ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our services.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
Property Information: Service address, gate codes, pet information, yard details
Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely by Stripe)
Communications: Messages, service requests, feedback you send us

Information Collected Automatically

Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, service history
Location Data: General location based on IP address (not precise GPS)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide Services: Schedule visits, complete service, manage your account
Process Payments: Charge for services, send invoices and receipts
Communicate: Send service updates, respond to inquiries, provide support
Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns, develop new features
Marketing: Send promotional offers (with your consent)
Legal Compliance: Meet legal obligations, protect our rights

3. SMS and Marketing Communications

Your Consent

When you provide your phone number and consent to communications, you agree to receive:

Transactional SMS Messages:

Service confirmations and reminders
Appointment notifications
Service completion updates
Account alerts
Technician arrival notifications

Marketing SMS Messages (if opted in):

Special offers and promotions
New service announcements
Referral program information
Seasonal deals

Message Details

Frequency: Up to 10 messages per month
Carriers: We send messages through Twilio to all major carriers
Costs: Message and data rates may apply based on your carrier plan

Your Rights and Choices

Opt-Out of SMS Marketing:

You can stop receiving marketing SMS messages at any time by:

Replying STOP to any marketing message
Contacting us directly
Updating preferences in your customer portal

After opting out, you will receive a confirmation message and no further marketing messages. You will continue to receive transactional messages related to your service unless you cancel your account.

Opt-Out of Transactional SMS:

To stop all SMS messages including service-related notifications:

Contact us to request removal from SMS communications
Note: This may affect our ability to notify you about service updates

Consent Withdrawal:

Your consent to receive SMS messages is voluntary. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting your ability to use our services, though you may miss important service notifications.

4. Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

Service Providers

Payment Processing: Stripe (for secure payment handling)
Communications: Twilio (for SMS messaging)
Analytics: Tools to understand service usage

Business Operations

Our employees and contractors who need access to provide services
Affiliated companies under common ownership

Legal Requirements

When required by law or legal process
To protect our rights, property, or safety
To investigate potential violations of our terms

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, sale, or acquisition, your information may be transferred to the new entity.

We Never Sell Your Personal Information

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

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
Secure storage with access controls
Regular security assessments
Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

Your account is active
Needed to provide services
Required by law (tax records, legal obligations)
Necessary to resolve disputes

After account closure, we may retain certain information for legal compliance and legitimate business purposes.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of your personal information
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)
Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information below.

8. Cookies and Tracking

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Remember your preferences
Analyze site traffic
Improve user experience

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected such information, we will promptly delete it.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

Right to know what personal information is collected
Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
Right to opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by:

Posting the updated policy on our website
Updating the "Last Updated" date
Sending an email notification for material changes

Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your privacy rights, contact Maria's Scoop through our website or customer support channels.

*This Privacy Policy is effective as of the "Last Updated" date above.*