Privacy Policy

PawKnights Inc. – Privacy Policy

Effective Date: Oct 20, 2025
Last Updated: Oct 20, 2025

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PawKnights Inc. (“PawKnights,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in a lawful, transparent, and secure manner. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we safeguard it, and the choices available to you when you access or use our mobile application, website, and related services (the “Services”).

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By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use of the Services immediately.

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1. Information We Collect

We collect only the minimum information necessary to operate the Services safely, effectively, and in compliance with applicable laws (including PIPEDA, GDPR, and U.S. state privacy laws where applicable).

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1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When creating an account or using our Services, you may provide:

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• Basic information: first name (required), email address (required), and optionally last name and phone number

• Authentication information: if you sign in through Apple, Google, or Facebook (we do not receive your password or profile photo)

• Pet information: name, breed, color, description, and photos

• Lost-pet and sighting reports: last known location, time, description, uploaded images, and map pin placement

• Communications: email messages, support requests, feedback, or form submissions

• In-app chat messages: private user-to-user messages (encrypted; not readable by PawKnights)

• Subscription information: payment status and transaction confirmations (we never receive or store credit-card numbers)

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1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Services, we may automatically collect:​

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• Device data: IP address, device type, operating system, unique identifiers, app version

• Usage and log data: timestamps, clicks, interactions, feature usage, analytics, crash logs

• Diagnostic information: performance metrics, error reports, and crash analytics

Location data:

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• Collected only with your explicit permission

• Used to display relevant reports, map pins, alerts, and partner locations

• Your personal real-time location is never shared publicly

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Location data is never sold or used for advertising.

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1.3 Information From Third Parties

We may receive limited information from:

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• Authentication providers: Apple, Google, Facebook (basic login tokens only)

• Mapping partners: Google Maps, Apple Maps

• Analytics and crash-reporting tools

• App store payment processors: transaction confirmations (not financial data)

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We do not receive or store credit-card numbers or banking information.

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2. How We Use Your Information

We process your information only for legitimate, lawful, and essential purposes, including to:

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• Operate, maintain, and improve the Services

• Display, manage, and verify lost-pet and sighting reports

• Provide real-time alerts within your chosen radius

• Enable in-app chat, reporting, blocking, and safety features

• Respond to inquiries and provide customer support

• Deliver optional communications, updates, and partner offers

• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms of Service

• Analyze performance, troubleshoot issues, and improve reliability

• Comply with legal obligations, enforcement requests, and safety-related concerns

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We never sell, rent, or trade personal data under any circumstances.

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3. Location Information

​Only the map pin you manually select for lost-pet or sighting reports is shared publicly.

Your device’s real-time location is not displayed publicly or shared with other users.

Exact coordinates may be used internally to operate core map functionalities.

You may disable location permissions at any time, but certain features may not function.

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Location data is never sold.

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4. Communications

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4.1 Required Communications

These are essential to the operation of the Services and cannot be opted out of:

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• Security alerts

• Account-related messages

• Password reset notifications

• Lost-pet alerts

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     4.2 Optional Communications

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• Feature updates

• Promotions or partner offers

• Announcements or new tools

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You may opt out of optional messages at any time.

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4.3 In-App Chat Messages

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• Private messages are encrypted end-to-end

• PawKnights does not access or read chat content

• Automated tools may screen for harmful language (no human review)​

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5. How We Share Information

We only disclose personal information when necessary to operate the Services or as permitted by law.

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5.1 Service Providers

We may share limited information with trusted third-party vendors providing:

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• Hosting and cloud storage

• Mapping and geolocation services

• Push notifications

• Authentication services

• Analytics and performance monitoring

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These providers may process data on our behalf and are bound by confidentiality and security obligations.

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5.2 Partner Businesses

We may display partner listings (e.g., name, address, phone number) within the app. We do not share your personal information with partner businesses.

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5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to:

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• Comply with legal obligations or lawful requests

• Respond to law-enforcement or emergency situations

• Protect the safety, property, or rights of users, pets, or the public

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5.4 Business Transfers

If PawKnights undergoes a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, personal information may be transferred to the successor entity under equal or stronger privacy protections.

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5.5 No Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell personal information to any advertiser, data broker, or third party.

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6. Data Storage and Retention

Data is stored on encrypted servers located in Canada or jurisdictions with equivalent protection.

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to operate the Services or meet legal obligations.

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When an account is deleted:

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Personal data and pet reports are permanently removed

Some limited backup data may persist temporarily for fraud prevention, legal compliance, or security

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7. Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures including:

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• TLS/HTTPS encryption

• Encrypted databases

• Access controls and authentication safeguards

• Secure cloud infrastructure

• Routine monitoring for unauthorized access

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No system is completely secure, but we take reasonable and continuous measures to protect your information.

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8. Children’s Privacy

The Services are not directed to children under age 13.

If we learn that a child under 13 has provided personal information without parental consent, we will delete it immediately.

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9. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction (e.g., PIPEDA, GDPR), you may have the right to:

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• Access your personal data

• Request correction or deletion

• Withdraw consent to certain processing

• Request data portability

• Opt out of optional communications

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To exercise these rights, contact: contact@pawknights.com

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We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.

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10. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Services may integrate with third-party tools (e.g., Apple, Google, Maps, analytics providers).
We are not responsible for how third-party platforms handle your data.
We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

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11. International Data Transfers

If you use the Services outside of Canada, your information may be processed in other countries where privacy laws differ.
We take reasonable steps to ensure such transfers meet Canadian and international data-protection standards.

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12. Data Breach Notification

If a data breach occurs that presents a real risk of significant harm, we will:

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• Notify affected users without unreasonable delay

• Notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (as required by PIPEDA)

• Take remedial steps to reduce risks and prevent future breaches

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13. Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account at:

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https://www.pawknights.com/delete

​or contact: support@pawknights.com

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14. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically.
If changes are material, we will notify you by email, in-app message, or website notice.
Your continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

15. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or rights requests:

PawKnights Inc.
Email: contact@PawKnights.com

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PawKnights exists to safely bring pets home, not to exploit personal data.
Your privacy, trust, and security guide everything we build.