Better Hour Privacy Policy

Effective date: August 01, 2025

Last updated: October 06, 2025

Better Hour, LLC (“Better Hour,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the Better Hour marketplace that connects Seekers and Helpers for quick, light work (the “Platform”). This Privacy Policy explains what Personal Information we collect, how we use and share it, and the choices you have.

Scope: This Policy is intended for U.S. residents and covers our U.S. website, app, emails, and in-app messaging. If you are outside the U.S., please do not use the Platform at this time.

We collect info you provide (account, profile, bookings), info created when you use the Platform (device, logs), and info from partners (payments/verification). We use it to run the Platform, support bookings and payments, keep things safe, and comply with law. We do not sell your data.

1) Personal Information We Collect

A. Information you provide

Account & profile: name, email, phone, address/zip, profile photo, bio, skills, availability, neighborhoods, preferences.

Bookings & communications: task details, dates/times, in-app messages, ratings/reviews.

Payments: payment method details are processed by Stripe; we receive limited information (e.g., payment status, brand/last4, payout status).

Verification (identity and background screening): government ID details or results if you choose/are required to complete identity or background checks.

If you complete a background check: our consumer reporting agency ("CRA"), Checkr, Inc., collects any sensitive identifiers needed for screening (e.g., SSN/DOB) through its hosted workflows. We generally receive and store only screening status (e.g., invited/in progress/clear/consider), CRA reference ID, and timestamps—not full reports or SSNs.

If identity involves selfie/ID match: biometric identifiers (e.g., face geometry) may be processed by our vendors solely to verify identity. We do not store biometric identifiers in our systems.

Support: information you provide to our support team.

B. Information collected automatically

Device & usage: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, OS, pages viewed, referring/exit pages, date/time, and actions in the Platform.

Approximate location: derived from IP or (if you allow) device settings to improve matching and safety.

Cookies & similar technologies: used for sign-in, preferences, analytics, fraud prevention, and features. See Cookies below.

C. Information from others

Payments & onboarding: from Stripe (KYC/KYB results, payout status).

Verification partners: from Checkr, Inc. (identity and background screening results/metadata to the extent permitted and necessary for eligibility decisions).

Other users: ratings, reviews, reports.

Public sources: where allowed by law.

We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18.

D. Sensitive & Biometric Information (where applicable)

Sensitive identifiers (e.g., SSN) are collected and processed by Checkr to run the background check; Better Hour does not store SSNs or full CRA reports.

Biometric identifiers (e.g., face geometry for selfie/ID match) may be captured by an identity vendor solely for verification. Vendors must protect and delete biometric identifiers within a reasonable time and, in Texas, no later than one (1) year after the purpose is satisfied, unless law requires longer retention.

2) How We Use Personal Information

Operate the Platform: create/manage accounts, profiles, listings; facilitate search, booking, messaging, and payments.

Trust & Safety: verify accounts, prevent fraud/abuse, enforce Policies (including No Off‑App Payment), resolve disputes, and protect our users and Platform.

Eligibility decisions: determine whether Helpers may publish listings/accept bookings based on identity and background‑check status, following applicable law.

Communications: send transactional messages (confirmations, receipts, updates) and respond to support.

Personalization & improvements: remember preferences, improve UX, develop new features.

Marketing: send product news, offers, and surveys (you can opt out).

Legal & compliance: meet regulatory obligations, respond to lawful requests, and establish/exercise/defend legal claims.

3) How We Share Personal Information

With other users: name, profile, neighborhoods, ratings, and necessary booking details.

Service providers & partners: payments (Stripe), hosting, analytics, messaging, identity/background checks (Checkr, Inc.), and customer support. They may only use information to provide services to us. We generally share only what is necessary for the service (for screening, typically status/IDs rather than full reports).

Legal, safety, and compliance: to respond to legal requests, prevent harm, or protect rights.

Business transfers: as part of a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets.

With your consent: e.g., when you request a referral or integration.

We do not sell Personal Information and we do not share Personal Information for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

4) Cookies & Similar Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and local storage to keep you signed in, remember preferences, enable features, and analyze usage. You can control cookies via your browser settings. Some features may not work without required cookies. We currently do not respond to “Do Not Track” signals.

5) Data Retention

We keep Personal Information as long as necessary to provide the Platform, comply with legal obligations (e.g., accounting, anti‑fraud), resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention varies by category; payment/verification records may be retained longer for compliance.

For background screening, we retain status (e.g., clear/consider), CRA reference ID, and decision logs for a reasonable period (e.g., to document adverse‑action notices and defenses) and then delete or de‑identify.

Our CRA retains the underlying consumer report consistent with its own legal obligations and retention schedule.

Biometric identifiers collected by vendors for identity are retained and destroyed by those vendors within a reasonable time and, in Texas, no later than one (1) year after the purpose for collection ends, unless a longer period is required by law for a related record.

6) Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the risk (encryption in transit, access controls, least‑privilege, logging). No system is 100% secure. Keep your credentials safe and use in‑app messaging rather than sharing sensitive info in public channels.

7) Your U.S. (including Texas) Privacy Rights

Depending on your state (e.g., TX, CA, CO, CT, VA, UT), you may have rights to access, correct, or delete Personal Information; request portability; and opt out of certain processing (e.g., targeted advertising, sale, or profiling for significant decisions). We do not sell or share your Personal Information.

How to exercise rights: Email support@betterhour.com with your name, account email, the right you’re exercising, and your state of residence. We will verify your request (e.g., by confirming access to your account email) and respond within the timeframe required by law. You may use an authorized agent where permitted; we may request proof of authorization.

Appeals (state privacy laws, including Texas TDPSA): If we deny your request, you may appeal by replying to our decision email with “Appeal” in the subject within the applicable timeframe. We will review and respond within the legally required period and include how to contact your state attorney general (for Texas residents, the Texas Attorney General) if you disagree with our response.

Sensitive Personal Information: For Helpers, certain onboarding data (e.g., government ID numbers processed by Stripe or verification partners) is used only to provide payouts and trust/safety; we do not use Sensitive Personal Information to infer characteristics.

8) Children’s Privacy

The Platform is not directed to individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children. If we learn a child has provided Personal Information, we will delete it.

9) Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice (e.g., by email or in‑app). Your continued use after the effective date means you accept the updated Policy.

10) Contact Us

Better Hour, LLC [Address] [City, State ZIP] Email: support@betterhour.com

U.S. “Notice at Collection”

Identifiers Examples: name, email, phone, postal address, device IDs Sources: you; your device Purposes: accounts, bookings, support, trust & safety Sharing: service providers (payments, hosting, analytics) Retention: varies by category

Customer Records Examples: profile details, neighborhoods, preferences Sources: you Purposes: profiles, matching, in-app features Sharing: service providers Retention: varies

Protected Class Data Examples: not required; may appear only in free-text you choose to share (we prohibit discriminatory use) Sources: you Purposes: N/A Sharing: not shared intentionally Retention: minimal

Commercial Information Examples: bookings, payment status (via Stripe), receipts Sources: you; Stripe Purposes: provide Platform, accounting Sharing: service providers Retention: as required by law

Internet/Network Activity Examples: logs, usage metrics, page views Sources: your device Purposes: security, analytics, improvements Sharing: analytics/hosting providers Retention: rolling windows

Geolocation (approximate) Examples: city/ZIP inferred from IP or device (if enabled) Sources: your device Purposes: matching, trust & safety Sharing: service providers Retention: rolling windows

Audio/Visual Examples: profile photo; before/after photos you upload with consent Sources: you Purposes: profiles, reviews Sharing: with other users when you choose to share Retention: user-controlled

Sensitive Personal Information Examples: government ID numbers for KYC (Helpers), background-check status Sources: you; Stripe; verification partners Purposes: payouts, trust & safety Sharing: service providers Retention: as required by law

We do not sell Personal Information. We do not share Personal Information for cross-context behavioral advertising. No financial incentives are offered for your data.