Privacy Policy

Purpose. This Privacy Policy explains how Connect-4Care collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information across its caregiving marketplace and related services.

1. About Connect-4Care

Connect-4Care operates a technology marketplace that helps individuals and families discover, communicate with, book, and pay independent caregivers.

Because of the nature of the Platform, Connect-4Care may process personal information concerning both the person arranging care and the person receiving care.

We encourage users to provide only the information reasonably necessary to use the Platform and arrange appropriate Care Services.

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Connect-4Care ("Connect-4Care," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information when you access or use the Connect-4Care website, marketplace, communications tools, booking features, payment features, and related services (collectively, the "Platform").

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Care Seekers;

• Caregivers;

• Care Recipients;

• visitors to our website;

• individuals communicating with Connect-4Care; and

• other individuals whose personal information is provided through the Platform.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

3. Personal Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use Connect-4Care. We may collect the categories of information described below.

3.1 Account and Contact Information

This may include:

• first and last name;

• email address;

• telephone number;

• mailing or service address;

• username;

• account credentials;

• profile photograph;

• preferred method of communication; and

• other account information.

4. Care Seeker Information

If you use Connect-4Care to locate or book a Caregiver, we may collect information such as:

• your contact information;

• relationship to the Care Recipient;

• requested service location;

• requested dates and times;

• requested Care Services;

• caregiver preferences;

• booking history;

• payment and transaction information;

• messages exchanged through the Platform;

• ratings and reviews;

• customer-support communications; and

• other information you choose to provide.

5. Care Recipient Information

A Care Seeker may provide information regarding the individual who will receive Care Services.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• name;

• age or age range;

• service address;

• mobility needs;

• accessibility needs;

• assistance needed with activities of daily living;

• cognitive-support needs;

• dietary or meal-related information;

• transportation needs;

• household information;

• emergency-contact information;

• relevant health or safety information;

• scheduling information; and

• other information reasonably necessary to identify appropriate Care Services.

Care Seekers should provide only information they are authorized to provide and that is reasonably relevant to arranging care.

6. Caregiver Information

Caregivers may provide information including:

• name;

• contact information;

• profile photograph;

• biography;

• geographic service area;

• availability;

• experience;

• employment or caregiving history;

• education;

• languages;

• services offered;

• references;

• certifications;

• licenses;

• CPR or first-aid training;

• driver's-license or transportation-related information;

• identity-verification information;

• background-screening information or status;

• tax information;

• payment and payout information;

• ratings and reviews;

• booking history;

• communications; and

• information required to determine eligibility to participate in the Platform.

Some Caregiver profile information may be displayed to Care Seekers or other Platform users.

Caregivers should not place sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, passwords, or unnecessary health information in public profile fields.

7. Identity Verification Information

Connect-4Care may use third-party services to help verify the identity of Platform users.

Identity-verification information may include:

• legal name;

• date of birth;

• government-issued identification;

• photograph or selfie;

• address;

• telephone number;

• device information; and

• other information required by the verification provider.

Some identity information may be collected directly by a third-party provider and may not be stored directly by Connect-4Care.

8. Background-Screening Information

Connect-4Care may use third-party background-screening providers, including Checkr, to facilitate background checks for Caregivers.

Depending on the screening, information collected by the screening provider may include:

• legal name;

• date of birth;

• Social Security number;

• current or previous addresses;

• criminal-record information;

• motor-vehicle information where applicable;

• professional or employment verification;

• identity information; and

• other information included within an authorized screening.

Certain highly sensitive information may be submitted directly to the background-screening provider rather than stored by Connect-4Care.

Connect-4Care may receive information such as:

• screening status;

• screening completion date;

• eligibility or review status;

• report information;

• information necessary to administer the screening program; and

• information necessary to comply with applicable law.

Background-check disclosures, authorizations, consumer rights, and legally required notices may be presented separately from this Privacy Policy.

9. Payment and Payout Information

Connect-4Care uses third-party payment processors, including Stripe and Stripe Connect, to facilitate payments and Caregiver payouts.

Information relating to payments may include:

• payment-card information;

• bank-account information;

• billing information;

• transaction history;

• payout information;

• taxpayer information;

• payment status;

• refunds;

• disputes;

• chargebacks; and

• fraud-prevention information.

Payment-card and bank information may be collected and processed directly by Stripe or another payment provider rather than stored in full by Connect-4Care.

Those providers process information under their own privacy and security practices.

10. Communications and Messages

When users communicate through Connect-4Care, we may collect and store:

• message content;

• sender and recipient information;

• timestamps;

• delivery information;

• SMS or email communications;

• customer-support messages; and

• other communication-related information.

We may use this information to:

• facilitate communication between users;

• provide customer support;

• investigate safety concerns;

• investigate payment or booking disputes;

• prevent fraud;

• enforce Platform rules; and

• comply with legal obligations.

Users should avoid sharing unnecessary Social Security numbers, financial-account credentials, passwords, or other highly sensitive information through messages.

11. Information Collected Automatically

When you access the Platform, we or our service providers may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address;

• device type;

• browser type;

• operating system;

• approximate location derived from an IP address;

• pages or screens viewed;

• referring pages;

• dates and times of access;

• interactions with Platform features;

• crash or error information;

• cookie identifiers; and

• similar technical information.

We may use this information for security, fraud prevention, account authentication, analytics, Platform performance, troubleshooting, product improvement, and understanding how users interact with Connect-4Care.

12. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Connect-4Care and its service providers may use cookies, pixels, software development kits, local storage, and similar technologies.

These technologies may be used to:

• keep users signed in;

• remember preferences;

• maintain security;

• understand Platform usage;

• measure performance;

• detect fraud;

• improve services; and

• support advertising or marketing activities where permitted.

Browser settings may allow you to block or delete certain cookies. Blocking cookies may affect Platform functionality.

Where required by law, Connect-4Care will provide additional choices concerning non-essential cookies or similar technologies.

13. How We Use Personal Information

Connect-4Care may use personal information for the following purposes.

13.1 Provide the Platform

Including to:

• create accounts;

• authenticate users;

• create and display Caregiver profiles;

• facilitate caregiver searches;

• facilitate bookings;

• enable communications;

• process payments;

• facilitate payouts; and

• provide customer support.

13.2 Facilitate Care Connections

Including to:

• show Caregivers relevant booking requests;

• provide Care Seekers with relevant Caregiver information;

• communicate service needs;

• support scheduling; and

• facilitate interactions between Care Seekers and Caregivers.

13.3 Verify Users and Promote Safety

Including to:

• verify identity;

• facilitate background screening;

• prevent fraud;

• detect suspicious activity;

• review safety reports;

• investigate complaints; and

• enforce Connect-4Care policies.

13.4 Process Transactions

Including to:

• collect payments;

• calculate Platform fees;

• facilitate Caregiver payouts;

• issue refunds;

• resolve payment disputes;

• prevent fraudulent transactions; and

• satisfy tax or accounting requirements.

13.5 Communicate With You

Including to send:

• booking confirmations;

• booking reminders;

• payment notifications;

• security alerts;

• account notifications;

• customer-support messages;

• policy updates;

• verification notices; and

• marketing communications when permitted.

13.6 Improve Connect-4Care

Including to:

• understand user behavior;

• analyze Platform performance;

• troubleshoot problems;

• improve features;

• develop new services; and

• conduct internal business analysis.

13.7 Protect Rights and Comply With Law

Including to:

• comply with subpoenas, court orders, or lawful government requests;

• enforce agreements;

• investigate misconduct;

• protect the safety and rights of users;

• prevent fraud or abuse; and

• meet legal, tax, accounting, and regulatory obligations.

14. How Information Is Shared Between Users

Connect-4Care is a marketplace, so some information must be shared between Care Seekers and Caregivers for the Platform to function.

14.1 Information Shared With Care Seekers

Care Seekers may see Caregiver information such as:

• first name or profile name;

• photograph;

• biography;

• experience;

• qualifications;

• services offered;

• availability;

• rates;

• languages;

• service area;

• reviews and ratings; and

• other information designated for the Caregiver profile.

14.2 Information Shared With Caregivers

Caregivers may receive information reasonably necessary to evaluate or fulfill a booking, such as:

• Care Seeker name;

• Care Recipient information;

• requested dates and times;

• approximate or specific service location;

• requested services;

• mobility or accessibility needs;

• household information;

• relevant safety information;

• transportation needs; and

• other booking instructions.

We encourage Care Seekers to provide sensitive details only when reasonably necessary.

15. Service Providers

Connect-4Care relies on third-party companies to help operate the Platform.

These may include providers of:

• cloud hosting and database services;

• payment processing;

• identity verification;

• background screening;

• text messaging;

• email delivery;

• customer relationship management;

• fraud prevention;

• analytics;

• customer support;

• accounting;

• infrastructure; and

• security services.

Current providers may include services such as Supabase, Stripe, Checkr, ActiveCampaign, and communications or messaging providers.

Our vendors and service providers may change as the Platform develops.

Service providers receive information reasonably necessary to perform services for Connect-4Care and may also be subject to their own privacy policies and legal obligations.

16. Other Circumstances in Which We May Share Information

16.1 With Your Direction or Consent

We may share information when you ask us to share information or authorize a particular disclosure.

16.2 For Legal Reasons

We may share information when reasonably necessary to:

• comply with law;

• respond to valid legal process;

• respond to government requests;

• investigate illegal activity;

• enforce our agreements; or

• protect the rights, safety, or property of Connect-4Care, users, or others.

16.3 In a Business Transaction

If Connect-4Care is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring, sale of assets, bankruptcy, or similar business transaction, personal information may be disclosed as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law.

16.4 With Professional Advisors

We may share information with professional advisors such as attorneys, accountants, auditors, insurers, and consultants when reasonably necessary for legitimate business purposes.

17. Sale, Sharing, and Targeted Advertising

Connect-4Care does not sell personal information to third parties in exchange for money.

Some privacy laws define terms such as "sale," "sharing," or "targeted advertising" more broadly and may include certain transfers of online identifiers or information to advertising, analytics, or marketing providers.

If Connect-4Care engages in activities that constitute a sale, sharing, or targeted advertising under applicable privacy law, we will provide any notices and opt-out choices required by that law.

Connect-4Care does not knowingly sell sensitive personal information for monetary consideration.

18. Sensitive and Care-Related Information

Because Connect-4Care facilitates caregiving relationships, information provided through the Platform may sometimes include sensitive information concerning:

• physical limitations;

• mobility;

• cognitive needs;

• disabilities;

• health conditions;

• medications;

• daily living needs;

• household circumstances; or

• other information relevant to care.

Please provide only information reasonably necessary to arrange or safely provide Care Services.

Connect-4Care is a technology marketplace and is not necessarily a healthcare provider, health plan, or healthcare clearinghouse subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") in every circumstance.

As a result, information submitted to Connect-4Care may not receive the same HIPAA protections that apply when information is held by a physician, hospital, health plan, or other HIPAA-covered organization.

Regardless of whether HIPAA applies, Connect-4Care seeks to handle sensitive information responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy and consumer-protection laws.

19. Data Minimization

Connect-4Care seeks to collect and maintain information reasonably relevant to operating the Platform.

Users should avoid providing sensitive information that is not necessary for account creation, caregiver selection, booking, payment, verification, safety, customer support, or another legitimate Platform purpose.

20. Data Retention

Connect-4Care retains personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• provide the Platform;

• maintain user accounts;

• complete transactions;

• maintain business and financial records;

• resolve disputes;

• prevent fraud;

• enforce agreements;

• respond to safety incidents;

• comply with legal and regulatory obligations; and

• establish or defend legal claims.

Different categories of information may have different retention periods.

For example, certain transaction, tax, background-screening, safety, or legal records may need to be retained after an account is closed.

When information is no longer reasonably necessary, we may delete, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of it in accordance with applicable requirements.

21. Security

Connect-4Care uses administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information appropriate to the nature of the information we process.

These measures may include:

• access controls;

• authentication;

• encryption provided by our technology vendors;

• restricted administrative access;

• monitoring;

• secure payment-processing providers;

• vendor security controls; and

• other reasonable security measures.

However, no website, application, database, network, or method of electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials and notifying Connect-4Care if they believe an account has been compromised.

If Connect-4Care experiences a security incident requiring notification under applicable law, we will provide legally required notifications.

22. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live and applicable law, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

These may include the right to:

• confirm whether we process your personal information;

• request access to personal information;

• request correction of inaccurate information;

• request deletion of certain information;

• obtain a portable copy of certain information;

• opt out of certain targeted advertising;

• opt out of certain sales or sharing of personal information;

• opt out of certain profiling activities;

• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and

• appeal certain privacy-request decisions where applicable law provides that right.

These rights are subject to legal exceptions.

For example, we may need to retain certain information for financial records, fraud prevention, safety investigations, background-screening obligations, dispute resolution, legal claims, or compliance with law.

23. How to Make a Privacy Request

Privacy requests may be submitted to:

Email: info@connect-4care.com
Phone: (404) 477-4806

Please include enough information for us to understand your request.

For security, Connect-4Care may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

Authorized agents may submit requests where permitted by law, although we may require verification of the agent's authority.

We will respond within the period required by applicable law.

24. Account Information and Deletion

Users may be able to update certain information through their Connect-4Care account.

If you wish to close your account or request deletion of personal information, contact Connect-4Care using the information above or use available account controls.

Closing an account does not necessarily result in immediate deletion of all information.

Connect-4Care may retain information where reasonably necessary or legally required for completed transactions, taxes, accounting, fraud prevention, background-screening compliance, safety matters, chargebacks, disputes, regulatory obligations, or legal claims.

25. Marketing Communications

You may opt out of promotional email communications by using the unsubscribe link contained in the message or by contacting Connect-4Care.

If marketing text messages are offered, applicable messages will provide instructions for opting out, such as replying STOP, where appropriate.

Opting out of marketing does not necessarily prevent Connect-4Care from sending transactional or service-related

26. Caregiver Background-Check Rights

Background-screening activities may be subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state laws.

When required, Caregivers will receive separate:

• disclosures;

• authorization requests;

• consumer-rights information;

• pre-adverse-action information;

• copies of applicable reports; and

• adverse-action notices.

This Privacy Policy is not intended to replace any disclosure or authorization required for a background check.

Caregivers should follow instructions provided through the applicable background-screening process regarding questions, disputes, or correction of report information.

27. Information About Other People

If you provide personal information about another individual, including a Care Recipient, family member, reference, or emergency contact, you represent that you have an appropriate basis or authorization to provide that information.

You should not provide more information about another person than reasonably necessary.

28. Children's Privacy

Connect-4Care accounts are intended for individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old.

Children may not create their own Connect-4Care accounts.

The Platform is not directed toward children under thirteen (13), and Connect-4Care does not knowingly solicit personal information directly from children under thirteen without legally required parental consent.

An adult account holder may provide information about a minor Care Recipient where the adult is legally authorized to do so and the information is reasonably necessary to arrange Care Services.

If you believe a child has directly provided personal information to Connect-4Care improperly, please contact us.

29. Third-Party Websites and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services.

Connect-4Care is not responsible for the privacy practices of independent third parties.

When you leave Connect-4Care or interact directly with another company's service, that company's privacy policy may govern its handling of your information.

We encourage users to review applicable third-party privacy policies.

30. Third-Party Payment and Screening Providers

Certain information may be provided directly to companies such as Stripe or Checkr.

Those companies may act as independent controllers, service providers, processors, consumer reporting agencies, or in other legally defined roles depending on the activity involved.

Their collection and use of information may also be governed by their own terms and privacy notices.

Connect-4Care does not control every privacy practice of an independent third-party provider.

31. Platform Hosting and Database Providers

Connect-4Care may use cloud infrastructure and database providers, including Supabase, to host or process information used by the Platform.

Such providers may process information on Connect-4Care's behalf according to contractual terms and applicable data-protection requirements.

Data may be stored or processed in locations where Connect-4Care or its service providers maintain infrastructure.

32. Deidentified and Aggregated Information

Connect-4Care may create aggregated or deidentified information that does not reasonably identify a particular individual.

We may use such information to:

• understand marketplace activity;

• improve Platform features;

• analyze caregiver supply and family demand;

• understand geographic service availability;

• improve safety and operations;

• develop business insights; and

• plan future services.

Where required by law, we will maintain deidentified information in deidentified form and will not attempt to reidentify it except as legally permitted.

33. Fraud Prevention and Platform Safety

Connect-4Care may process information to identify or investigate:

• account takeovers;

• fraudulent transactions;

• false identities;

• falsified credentials;

• payment fraud;

• abusive communications;

• exploitation;

• unsafe conduct;

• suspicious booking activity; or

• violations of Connect-4Care policies.

Information relating to serious safety incidents may be retained where reasonably necessary to protect users or meet legal obligations.

34. Law Enforcement and Safety Requests

Connect-4Care may disclose personal information when reasonably necessary to:

• comply with a valid subpoena, warrant, court order, or other lawful process;

• respond to an emergency involving risk of death or serious physical harm;

• report suspected illegal activity;

• protect users from fraud, exploitation, abuse, or violence; or

Connect-4Care evaluates requests in accordance with applicable law.

35. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Connect-4Care may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as the Platform changes, service providers change, business practices develop, or legal requirements change.

When we make material changes, we will provide notice when required by law.

The effective or last-updated date at the top of the Policy indicates when it was most recently revised.

Continued use of the Platform after an updated Privacy Policy becomes effective is subject to applicable law.

36. Contact Connect-4Care

Questions, concerns, or privacy requests may be directed to:

Connect-4Care
Email: info@connect-4care.com
Phone: (404) 477-4806
Website: connect-4care.com