CoFare Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 4, 2026 | Last Updated: May 4, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how CoFare ("CoFare," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use the CoFare mobile application (the "App") or visit cofare.ai (the "Site," together with the App, the "Service").

What CoFare is, in one paragraph. CoFare is a peer-to-peer matching platform. We help people heading the same direction find each other so they can share a ride and split the fare. We do not provide rides. We do not employ drivers. We do not own, operate, or insure any vehicle. We do not process payments between users. Any ride that happens after a match is a private arrangement between the matched users and the third-party transportation service they choose (Uber, Lyft, taxi, etc.).

By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

CategoryExamplesRequired?
Account informationEmail address; password (if you sign up by email); or third-party identifier (Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google)Yes
Profile informationDisplay name, age, gender, profile photoDisplay name, age, and gender are required; photo is optional
Phone numberPhone number you choose to provideOptional
Trip informationPickup and destination locations, scheduled departure time, trip notes, matching preferencesYes (to use matching)
Saved placesLabels and coordinates for places you save (e.g., "Home," "Work")Optional
MessagesChat messages exchanged with matched usersIf you choose to chat
Ratings and reviewsThumbs-up or thumbs-down ratings and any text feedbackOptional
ReportsReports about other users' conductIf you choose to report
Customer supportInformation you provide when contacting usIf you contact us

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

CategoryDetails
Location dataPrecise device location (GPS, cellular, Wi-Fi). See Section 4 for full details on when and how location is used, including limited background use during active matched trips.
Device and technical dataDevice model, operating system version, mobile network provider, language, time zone, app version, push notification tokens, crash reports, performance metrics
Usage dataScreens viewed, features used, match requests, match outcomes, ride completion events, in-app navigation patterns
IdentifiersInternal user identifier; device-generated push tokens
Purchase dataIn-app purchase transactions and receipts (processed by Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and RevenueCat). We do not collect or store payment card information ourselves.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

If you sign in using a third-party identity provider (Apple or Google), we receive the email address and name associated with your account, and any profile photo if you authorize it. We do not receive your Apple ID or Google account password.

2. How We Use Your Information

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 With Other Users

The Service exists to connect you with other users. The information visible to other users depends on the stage of the interaction:

Your real-time location is never shared with other users. Only the trip pickup and destination areas you have chosen are shared, and only with users you have matched with.

3.2 With Service Providers

We share information with vendors that help us operate the Service. These vendors are bound by contractual obligations to use the data only for our authorized purposes.

VendorPurposeData Shared
Supabase (Amazon Web Services)Database, authentication, real-time messagingAccount, trip, message, and report data
RevenueCatIn-app purchase management and receipt validationUser identifier, purchase transactions
Apple Inc.Sign in with Apple; in-app purchases on iOS; push delivery (APNs)Auth tokens, purchase receipts, push tokens
Google LLCSign in with Google; in-app purchases on Android; push delivery (FCM); Maps and Places APIsAuth tokens, purchase receipts, push tokens, location coordinates for map rendering and address suggestions
ExpoPush notification routingPush tokens, notification content
SentryCrash reporting and performance monitoringAnonymized device identifier, crash stack traces, app state at the time of a crash. We do not send chat content, profile photos, or precise location coordinates to Sentry.

3.3 For Legal and Safety Reasons

We may disclose information to law enforcement, government authorities, or other parties when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to (a) comply with a valid legal obligation, court order, or subpoena; (b) protect the rights, property, or safety of CoFare, our users, or the public; (c) detect, prevent, or address fraud or security issues; or (d) enforce our Terms of Service.

3.4 In a Business Transfer

If CoFare is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred to the successor entity. We will provide notice through the App or by email if this happens.

3.5 We Do Not Sell or Rent Your Data

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We do not rent or trade your information to third parties for marketing.

4. Location Data

4.1 Foreground Location

While the App is open and visible, we use your precise location to find nearby trips, suggest meeting points, and let you confirm pickup and destination details.

4.2 Background Location During Active Matched Trips

When you have an active matched trip, the App may use location while it is in the background to confirm that the matched ride actually occurred. This helps us correctly credit a completed ride and avoid charging you a pass when no ride happens. Background location is used only during a limited window around your scheduled departure time and turns itself off automatically after the trip ends. We do not use background location for any other purpose.

4.3 Location Sharing With Other Users

Your real-time location is never shared with other users. Only the trip pickup and destination areas you have chosen are shared, and only with users you have matched with. Specific GPS coordinates are not displayed to other users.

4.4 Disabling Location

You can revoke location permissions at any time through your device's system settings. The Service requires location to function. Without location permission, you will not be able to use most features.

5. Camera and Photo Library

You may grant access to your camera or photo library to set or update your profile photo. We use these permissions only when you actively choose to add a photo. We do not access the camera or photo library in the background. Your profile photo is uploaded to our backend storage and shown only to users you have matched with (and to you).

6. Push Notifications

We use push notifications to inform you of new match requests, accepted matches, chat messages, and ride-related events. You can disable push notifications through your device settings at any time. Disabling push notifications may cause you to miss time-sensitive events. You should not rely solely on push notifications for safety-critical or time-critical information. Push notifications can be delayed, lost, or blocked by your device, network, or operating system.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as it is needed to provide the Service and to meet our legal and operational requirements. In general:

If you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your account data on a reasonable schedule, except for information we are required to keep by law or that we need to keep for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention, legal claims, or unresolved disputes.

8. Data Security

We use commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS), row-level access controls in our database, secure on-device storage of authentication tokens, and authentication through trusted third-party identity providers.

No security measure is perfect. We cannot guarantee that unauthorized access, theft, or breach will never occur. If a security incident affects your information, we will notify you in accordance with applicable law.

9. Your Privacy Rights

9.1 Rights Available to All Users

For privacy requests we cannot complete in-app, contact us at support@cofare.ai.

9.2 California Residents (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have these rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

To exercise these rights, email support@cofare.ai or use the in-app account deletion feature. We will respond within 45 days. If we cannot complete your request, you may appeal by replying to our denial.

9.3 Other US States

Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws (including Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Montana, Iowa, Tennessee, Indiana, Delaware, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Maryland, New Jersey, and others as enacted) have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and obtain a portable copy of their information, and to opt out of certain processing. To exercise these rights, contact us at support@cofare.ai.

9.4 Authorized Agents

Where state law permits, you may designate an authorized agent to make a privacy request on your behalf. We may require verification of identity and a written authorization.

9.5 Do Not Track

Some browsers transmit "Do Not Track" or "Global Privacy Control" signals. Because there is no industry-wide standard for handling these signals across mobile apps, we currently do not respond to them. You may still exercise your rights as described above.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is intended only for adults 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without proper consent, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with information, please contact us at support@cofare.ai.

11. International Users

The Service is currently intended only for users physically located in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, you do so at your own risk and consent to your information being processed in the United States. United States laws may differ from those in your country and may not provide the same level of protection.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

The Service may include links to or interaction with third-party websites or apps (for example, when you launch your preferred ride-hailing app to book a ride). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Their use of your information is governed by their own privacy policies, which you should review.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by email. The "Last Updated" date above shows when the most recent revision took effect. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your information: