Privacy Policy

1.1 Nook is designed and intended solely for use by individuals who are 18 years of age or older. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement.

1.2 This Policy should be read together with our Terms of Service, which governs your overall use of the Service.

1.3 We may offer the Service in multiple languages and regions. In the event of any conflict between translated versions of this Policy and the English version, the English version shall prevail.

2.1 Account Information. When you register for Nook, we collect information such as your username, email address, password (stored in encrypted form), date of birth for age verification, profile photo, and any biographical information you choose to add to your profile.

2.2 Device and Technical Information. We automatically collect device identifiers, operating system and version, device model, IP address, mobile network information, app version, crash logs, and diagnostic data to ensure the Service functions properly across devices.

2.3 Location Data. With your permission, we collect precise or approximate geographic location data, including compass orientation and GPS coordinates, to power features such as trail recommendations, nearby group hikes, and location tagging on posts. You may disable location access at any time through your device settings, though certain features may become unavailable as a result.

2.4 User-Generated Content. We collect and store content you create, upload, or share within the Service, including posts, photographs, trail reviews, comments, event descriptions, gear lists, and messages exchanged with other users or with the in-app AI assistant.

2.5 Usage and Interaction Data. We collect data regarding how you interact with the Service, including features accessed, hikes joined or created, posts liked or commented on, search queries, AI assistant interactions, session duration, and in-app purchases such as virtual currency used for AI trail planning features.

3.1 To create, maintain, and secure your Nook account and authenticate your identity.

3.2 To operate core features of the Service, including the trail compass, group hike discovery and creation, community feed, direct messaging, and the AI trail-planning assistant.

3.3 To personalize your experience, including recommending trails, events, and community posts based on your location, activity history, and stated preferences.

3.4 To process in-app purchases, manage virtual currency balances, and maintain accurate transaction records.

3.5 To communicate with you, including sending service notifications, event reminders, security alerts, and, where permitted, marketing communications which you may opt out of at any time.

3.6 To monitor, analyze, and improve the performance, safety, and functionality of the Service, including through aggregated and de-identified analytics.

3.7 To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, and violations of our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

3.8 To comply with applicable legal obligations, respond to lawful requests from public authorities, and enforce our legal rights.

4.1 Performance of a contract, where processing is necessary to provide the Service you have requested, such as maintaining your account or facilitating group hike participation.

4.2 Consent, where you have affirmatively agreed to processing, such as granting location access or receiving marketing communications, which you may withdraw at any time.

4.3 Legitimate interests, where processing is necessary for purposes such as securing the Service, preventing fraud, and improving product features, provided such interests are not overridden by your rights.

4.4 Legal obligation, where processing is necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or valid legal process.

5.1 We request location permissions through your device's native permission system, and you may grant access at all times, only while using the app, or decline entirely.

5.2 Location data is used to power the live compass feature, suggest nearby trails and group hikes, and allow you to optionally tag the location of your posts.

5.3 You may choose to share only an approximate location, or manually enter a location, rather than sharing precise GPS coordinates, in supported areas of the app.

5.4 We do not sell your precise location data to third parties for targeted advertising purposes.

6.1 Collection and Storage. Any content you post, including photos, captions, comments, event listings, and location tags, is collected and stored on our servers and may be displayed to other users depending on your privacy settings.

6.2 Public Visibility. By default, posts, profile information, and activity such as likes and comments may be visible to other Nook users. You can adjust certain visibility settings within your account preferences.

6.3 Content Ownership and License. You retain ownership of the content you post. By submitting UGC, you grant Nook a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, display, and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating and promoting the Service.

6.4 Content Moderation. We reserve the right to review, moderate, remove, or restrict any UGC that violates our Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, or applicable law, including content that is unsafe, infringing, harassing, or fraudulent.

6.5 Copyright and Intellectual Property. We respond to valid notices of alleged copyright infringement in accordance with applicable law. If you believe your intellectual property rights have been violated, please contact us at service@nook.support.

6.6 Retention of Removed Content. Content that is removed for violating our policies may be retained internally for a limited period for safety, legal, or audit purposes, even after removal from public view.

7.1 When you interact with the Nook AI assistant, your queries and relevant context, such as location or stated preferences, are processed to generate personalized responses.

7.2 AI-generated conversations may be temporarily stored to improve response quality, troubleshoot issues, and enhance the underlying models, subject to the retention practices described in this Policy.

7.3 AI outputs are provided for informational and planning purposes only. Nook does not guarantee the accuracy of AI-generated trail conditions, safety information, or recommendations, and users should exercise independent judgment when engaging in outdoor activities.

8.1 These technologies help us recognize your device, remember preferences, maintain your session, and understand how you use the app.

8.2 We may use analytics providers and advertising partners that collect information through these technologies to measure app performance and, where applicable, deliver relevant advertising.

8.3 You can manage tracking permissions through your device settings, including opting out of interest-based advertising identifiers where supported by your operating system.

9.1 Other Users. Information you choose to make public, such as your profile, posts, and event participation, is visible to other Nook users as part of the core community experience.

9.2 Service Providers. We share information with vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as cloud hosting, analytics, customer support, payment processing, and push notification delivery, under contractual confidentiality obligations.

9.3 Legal Compliance. We may disclose information when required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or when necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Nook, our users, or the public.

9.4 Business Transfers. In the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to confidentiality commitments consistent with this Policy.

9.5 With Your Consent. We may share information with third parties for other purposes when you have provided explicit consent to do so.

10.1 These providers include cloud infrastructure and data storage vendors, analytics platforms, crash-reporting tools, in-app payment processors, and communication and notification services.

10.2 Third-party providers are contractually obligated to use information solely to perform services for Nook and are prohibited from using it for their own independent purposes.

10.3 Nook is not responsible for the privacy practices of independent third-party websites or services that may be linked from within the app.

11.1 Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards for international data transfers, such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms recognized under applicable data protection law.

11.2 By using the Service, you understand that your information may be transferred to and processed in countries that may have data protection laws different from those in your country of residence.

12.1 Account information is generally retained for as long as your account remains active, plus a reasonable period thereafter to comply with legal obligations or resolve disputes.

12.2 UGC and community activity may remain accessible after account deletion if it has been shared with, or incorporated into, other users' content, such as comments on a hike you organized.

12.3 We periodically review our retention practices and securely delete or anonymize information that is no longer needed for its original purpose.

13.1 These measures include encryption of data in transit and at rest, access controls limiting internal access to personal information, and regular security assessments.

13.2 No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

13.3 In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

14.1 Access and Portability. You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, in a structured and commonly used format where applicable.

14.2 Correction. You may update or correct inaccurate account information at any time through your in-app profile settings.

14.3 Deletion. You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions, such as information we are required to retain for compliance purposes.

14.4 Objection and Restriction. You may object to or request restriction of certain processing activities, including direct marketing, subject to applicable law.

14.5 Withdrawal of Consent. Where processing is based on consent, such as location access or marketing communications, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.

14.6 Exercising Your Rights. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at service@nook.support. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law and may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

15.1 Upon deletion, we will remove or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable period, except where retention is required for legal, security, or fraud-prevention purposes.

15.2 Certain UGC that has been shared publicly or incorporated into other users' interactions, such as event threads or comment histories, may persist in anonymized form after account deletion.

16.1 We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a user under 18, we will take prompt steps to delete such information and terminate the associated account.

16.2 Age verification is required during account registration, and we may implement additional measures to detect and prevent underage use of the Service.

16.4 We encourage all users to report suspected child exploitation or abuse content immediately through the in-app reporting tools or by contacting service@nook.support.

16.5 If you are a parent or guardian and believe a minor has gained access to Nook or provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we may investigate and take appropriate action.

17.1 You may limit ad tracking through your device's operating system settings, including resetting or limiting your advertising identifier.

17.2 You may opt out of certain marketing communications by following the unsubscribe instructions included in those communications or adjusting your notification preferences in-app.

18.1 Payment transactions are processed through the applicable app store's payment system, such as Apple's App Store. Nook does not directly collect or store your full payment card details.

18.2 We receive limited transaction information, such as purchase confirmation and virtual currency balance, necessary to fulfill your purchase and maintain accurate account records.

18.3 All purchases are subject to the applicable app store's terms and refund policies.

19.1 You may disable push notifications at any time through your device settings or within the app's notification preferences.

19.2 We may send essential service communications, such as security alerts or policy updates, even if you have opted out of marketing notifications, where permitted by law.

20.1 If you choose to use a third-party login, we receive limited profile information from that provider, such as your name and email address, in accordance with your privacy settings on that platform.

20.2 Your use of third-party login services is also subject to the privacy policy and terms of the applicable provider.

21.1 You have the right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell, and to request access to or deletion of that information.

21.2 We do not sell personal information in exchange for monetary payment. To the extent our sharing of information for advertising purposes is considered a "sale" or "sharing" under California law, you may opt out by contacting service@nook.support.

21.3 We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your California privacy rights.

22.1 You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority if you believe our processing of your personal information violates applicable law.

22.2 You may contact us directly at service@nook.support to raise any concerns before pursuing a formal complaint.

23.1 If we make material changes to this Policy, we will notify you through the app, by email, or by other reasonable means prior to the change becoming effective.

23.2 The "Effective Date" at the top of this Policy indicates when it was last revised. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of any update constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

23.3 We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your information.