Privacy

PRIVACY POLICY (British Columbia, Canada – PIPEDA Compliant)

Last Updated: Novemeber 18, 2025

Camping Buddy respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your information in compliance with Canada’s PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).

Camping Buddy is operated in Canada. Users outside Canada access the platform at their own initiative.

1. Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide

  • username

  • display name

  • email address

  • password (encrypted)

  • profile details

  • optional photos

  • optional location (region, campground, city, etc.)

  • messages exchanged with other users

  • posts, comments, or content you voluntarily share

B. Information Automatically Collected

  • IP address

  • browser type

  • device type

  • operating system

  • log data

  • cookies (session management, essential site functions)

2. Information We Do NOT Collect

Camping Buddy does not collect:

  • government identification

  • credit card numbers (unless merchandise is added later)

  • real-time GPS tracking unless provided by you

  • biometric information

  • data for sale or marketing profiling

  • children’s data (users must be 18+)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • operate and maintain the platform

  • allow communication between users

  • manage your profile

  • improve site functionality

  • ensure community safety

  • respond to reports or enforce rules

We do not sell your personal information.

4. Location Sharing

Location sharing is optional.

If you share your region, campsite or travel plans, this information becomes visible to other users based on your profile settings.

Camping Buddy:

  • does not require precise GPS information

  • does not track user location

  • is not responsible for consequences of users sharing their own location

5. Cookies & Tracking

Camping Buddy uses:

  • essential session cookies

  • security cookies

  • basic analytics (if enabled)

Camping Buddy does not use:

  • cross-site behavioral advertising

  • retargeting ads

  • advertising trackers that follow users across the internet

  • data brokers or third-party data resellers

Advertisers do not receive your personal information from us.
Any data used for ad display is anonymous, aggregated, or contextual.

Users may choose to click on an advertisement at their own discretion.

6. How Your Data Is Protected

We use reasonable technical and administrative safeguards, including:

  • encrypted passwords

  • secure Canadian-based hosting

  • restricted access to user data

  • industry-standard server protections

However, no online platform can guarantee absolute security.

7. When We Share Your Information

We may share information only when needed to:

  • comply with Canadian law

  • investigate harassment or safety complaints

  • maintain site functionality (e.g., email notifications)

  • respond to legal requests from BC authorities

We do not sell or rent user data to advertisers or third parties.

Advertising Partners:
We do not share personal information with advertisers. In some cases, third-party ad networks may use basic, non-personalized cookies solely to limit repeated ads or measure basic performance. These cookies do not contain identifying information.

8. Data Retention

We retain your data as long as your account is active.
If you delete your account:

  • your profile and personal data are removed

  • posts or comments may remain in anonymized form

  • backups containing past data may persist briefly before automatic deletion

9. User Rights (PIPEDA)

Under Canadian privacy law, you may:

  • access your personal information

  • correct inaccurate information

  • request account deletion

  • withdraw consent for certain data uses

We will respond to all requests within a reasonable timeframe.

10. Age Requirement

This service is for adults 18+.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors.

11. International Users

Camping Buddy is operated in Canada.
Users outside Canada agree that:

  • Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA) apply

  • their data may be stored in Canada

  • they are responsible for complying with local laws

  • the courts of British Columbia have jurisdiction over disputes

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Continued use of the platform implies acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

For privacy questions or requests:
Email: webmaster at campingbuddy dot ca