Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Staying in Bern. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform to connect locals and volunteers in Bern, Switzerland.

If you have any questions or any concerns about this policy or our practices regarding your personal information, please contact us at hello@stayinginbern.com.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account on our platform
• Express interest in obtaining information about our services
• Participate in activities on our platform
• Contact us for support or inquiries

Personal Information

The personal information we collect may include:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, preferences, languages spoken
• Booking Information: Accommodation details, stay dates, communication with hosts/guests
• Payment Information: Billing address (payment processing handled by third-party providers)
• Communication Data: Messages, reviews, and feedback you provide

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• Device and browser information
• IP address and location data
• Usage data and analytics
• Cookie and tracking technology data

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To facilitate connections between locals and volunteers
• Account Management: To create and manage your account
• Communication: To send booking confirmations, updates, and important notices
• Platform Improvement: To analyze usage and improve our services
• Safety and Security: To detect fraud, ensure platform safety, and comply with legal obligations
• Marketing: To send newsletters and promotional content (with your consent)
• Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries and provide assistance

4. How We Protect Your Information

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

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure server infrastructure
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

5. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information in the following situations:

• With Other Users: Profile information visible to facilitate connections
• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist in operating our platform
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• Business Transfers: In connection with mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

As we operate in Switzerland and serve users in the EU, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: Request copies of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of data processing
• Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
• Right to Object: Object to processing of your personal data
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at hello@stayinginbern.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When your data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than Switzerland. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

11. Contact Us

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