Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Effective Date: March 10, 2026
Last Updated: March 10, 2026
Version: 1.1

Introduction

Uncle Rental (長腿叔叔) is a companionship marketplace platform operating in Hong Kong, created by Adwin YL Ho (the "Service Provider"). This policy applies to our website (unclerental.com) and our mobile applications available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

This document combines our Privacy Policy (compliance with Hong Kong's Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance) and Liability Disclaimer (platform protection). Our service is intended for use "AS IS" as a Freemium model—free to download with optional paid features.

By using our platform (web or mobile), you agree to this Privacy Policy & Disclaimer. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

Important: English version prevails in case of conflict with Chinese translation.

PART A: PRIVACY POLICY

Section 1: Data Controller

Uncle Rental Privacy Contact: privacy@unclerental.com Operating Location: Hong Kong SAR

We are the data controller responsible for your personal information collected through our platform.

Section 2: Personal Data We Collect

Account Registration

When you create an account, we collect:

Full name
Email address
Phone number (optional)
Date of birth (age verification)
Password (encrypted, never visible to staff)

Profile Information

For users creating profiles:

Profile photographs (up to 6)
Biography and personal description
Location (district/area only, not GPS)
Career and education background
Interests and hobbies
Optional: MBTI type, relationship status
For uncles: Hourly rate, availability, services offered

Booking & Transaction Data

Booking date, time, and location
Booking amount and payment status
Refund requests and adjustments
Transaction history
Platform communications related to bookings

Communications

Messages between users (stored in our database)
Customer support inquiries and responses
User reviews and ratings

Automatically Collected Data

The Application collects information when you download and use it, including:

Device Information: Your device's Internet Protocol (IP) address, device type, and operating system
Usage Data: Pages visited, time and date of visit, time spent on pages, and overall Application usage
Location Data: Your device's approximate geographical location (with your permission) for:
- Geolocation services (personalized content, relevant recommendations, nearby uncles)
- Analytics and improvements (aggregated, anonymized)
- Third-party services (anonymized, for enhancement only)
Cookies: See Section 9

AI Technologies

The Application uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance user experience and provide certain features. AI components may process user data to deliver personalized content, recommendations, or automated functionalities. All AI processing is performed in accordance with this privacy policy and applicable laws.

Section 3: How We Use Your Personal Data

Service Provision

We process your data to:

Create and manage your account
Facilitate bookings between clients and uncles
Process payments
Enable messaging and communication
Display profiles to other users
Send booking confirmations and receipts

Platform Improvement

We use data to:

Analyze usage patterns
Identify and fix technical issues
Develop new features
Conduct product research

Safety & Security

We process data for:

Basic identity verification
Fraud and scam prevention
Investigation of policy violations
Legal compliance

Communication

The Service Provider may use the information you provided to contact you from time to time to provide:

Important information and required notices
Booking updates and notifications
Payment receipts
Marketing promotions (opt-out available via Settings or email footer)

Section 4: Data Sharing & Third Parties

We do not sell your personal data. We share data only with service providers:

Authentication Service

Provider: Clerk
Data Shared: Name, email, encrypted password
Purpose: User authentication and account management
Location: United States
Privacy: https://clerk.com/privacy

Mobile & Analytics Services

Provider: Google Play Services (Android), Apple App Store (iOS)
Data Shared: Installation metrics, crash reports
Purpose: App distribution and updates

Provider: Google Analytics for Firebase
Data Shared: Usage analytics, device identifiers
Purpose: Analytics and platform improvement
Privacy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

Provider: Facebook (optional, if using social login)
Data Shared: Profile info if you sign in with Facebook
Purpose: Social authentication
Privacy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation

Database & Storage

Provider: Supabase
Data Shared: All user profiles, bookings, messages
Purpose: Data storage and realtime features
Location: Singapore (Asia-Pacific)
Privacy: https://supabase.com/privacy

Payment Processing

Provider: Stripe
Data Shared: Name, email, payment card details
Purpose: Payment processing and refunds
Location: United States
Privacy: https://stripe.com/privacy
Note: We do NOT store card details

Platform Hosting

Provider: Vercel
Data Shared: IP address, anonymous usage data
Purpose: Website hosting and analytics
Location: Global CDN
Privacy: https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy

Other Users

Your profile information is visible to:

All users (if you're an approved uncle)
Users you message with
Users who book you
Platform administrators

Section 5: Data Retention

Data Type	Retention Period	Reason
Active account data	While account active	Service provision
Booking records	2 years after completion	Tax compliance, dispute resolution
Messages	2 years	Dispute resolution
Payment records	7 years	Hong Kong tax law
Deleted account data	30 days then deletion	Recovery window
Analytics data	2 years (anonymized)	Platform improvement

Account Deletion

When you delete your account:

Personal data deleted within 30 days
Some data retained for legal purposes (anonymized)
Booking and payment records kept for 2–7 years

Section 6: Your Rights Under Hong Kong PDPO

Right to Access

Request a copy of your personal data.

Response time: 40 days (PDPO requirement)
First request: Free
Subsequent requests: Administrative fee may apply

Right to Correction

Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

Update via your Profile page
Contact support for assistance

Right to Deletion

Request account deletion and data removal.

Available via Settings → Delete Account
Data deleted within 30 days (except legal retention)
Contact adwinrhk@gmail.com for data deletion requests; we respond within a reasonable time

Right to Data Portability

Request your data in machine-readable format.

Contact: support@unclerental.com

Right to Object

Object to data processing for marketing.

Opt-out via Settings or email footer
Cannot opt-out of essential service communications

Exercising Your Rights

Email: adwinrhk@gmail.com or privacy@unclerental.com

Include:

Your full name and email
Description of request
Identity verification

Response time: Within 40 days

Section 7: Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

Technical Measures

HTTPS/TLS encryption in transit
Encryption at rest for databases
Secure authentication (bcrypt hashing)
Regular security audits

Access Controls

Role-based access permissions
Audit logs for sensitive operations
Limited employee access to personal data

Limitations

No system is 100% secure. You are responsible for:

Keeping your password secure
Not sharing your account credentials
Reporting security concerns immediately

Section 8: International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred outside Hong Kong to:

United States (Clerk authentication, Stripe payments)
Singapore (Supabase database)
Global CDN (Vercel hosting)

These providers comply with international data protection standards. By using our platform, you consent to these transfers.

Section 9: Cookies & Tracking

Essential Cookies (Required)

Authentication (keep you logged in)
Security (fraud prevention)
Session management

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

Vercel Analytics (anonymous usage patterns)
No personal identification

User Controls

Manage via browser settings
Disable third-party cookies
Note: Some features may not work if essential cookies disabled

Section 10: Children's Privacy

Our platform is not for users under 21 years old.

Minimum age: 21 years (platform requirement)
We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13 (per COPPA) or users under 21
The Service Provider does not solicit data from or market to children under 13
Underage accounts are deleted immediately upon discovery

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided personal information, or if a user under 21 has created an account, contact adwinrhk@gmail.com immediately.

Section 11: Privacy Policy Changes

We may update this policy to:

Reflect legal changes
Improve clarity
Add new services

Notice: 30 days advance notification via email and in-app banner

Acceptance: Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of updated policy

PART B: DISCLAIMER & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Section 12: Platform Role Statement

Uncle Rental is a marketplace facilitator only. We are NOT a service provider.

What We Provide

Technology platform for user connections
Booking and payment processing
Messaging and communication tools
Escrow payment system
Dispute resolution services

What We Do NOT Do

Provide companionship services ourselves
Employ uncles (they are independent contractors)
Supervise or control bookings
Participate in actual meetings
Guarantee service quality or safety
Monitor off-platform interactions

Service Relationship

When you book an uncle, the service contract is between you and the uncle only. Uncle Rental is not a party to this contract.

Section 13: Independent Contractor Classification

Uncles are independent contractors, NOT employees.

What This Means

Uncles are self-employed
No employment relationship exists
No employer-employee rights apply
Uncles operate their own business

No Employee Benefits

Uncles do NOT receive:

Salary or guaranteed income
Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions
Annual leave or sick leave
Health insurance or benefits
Employment protections

Contractor Autonomy

Uncles control:

Their schedule and availability
Their hourly rates
Which bookings to accept or decline
Their service methods and approach
Where and how they meet clients

Section 14: Verification & Background Checks

What We Verify

We conduct basic verification only:

Government-issued ID verification
Name and photo validation
Age confirmation (21+ minimum)
Admin profile review

What We Do NOT Verify

Criminal records (beyond basic checks)
Employment history or credentials
Education claims
References or recommendations
Professional qualifications

Your Responsibility

You must:

Exercise your own judgment when selecting uncles
Meet in public locations initially
Verify credentials independently if concerned
Protect your own safety

Section 15: No Warranty

We provide the platform "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" with NO WARRANTIES.

Disclaimed Warranties

No guarantee of uncle availability or quality
No guarantee of service as described
No guarantee of punctuality or professionalism
No guarantee of platform availability
No guarantee of error-free operation
No liability for technical failures

Legal Statement

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY HONG KONG LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Section 16: Limitation of Liability

Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for any claim is limited to the lower of:

HK$10,000, OR
Total fees you paid in the past 6 months

Example: If you paid HK$2,000 in fees over 6 months, our maximum liability is HK$2,000.

Section 17: Excluded Liabilities

We are NOT liable for:

User Actions

Uncle misconduct or negligence
Client misconduct or false claims
Disputes between users
Personal injury or property damage
Death or serious injury

Relationships & Off-Platform

Relationships formed between users
Interactions outside booking duration
Off-platform communications
Activities not facilitated through platform

Third-Party Services

Stripe payment failures
Clerk authentication issues
Supabase technical failures
Internet service provider issues

Indirect Damages

Lost profits or opportunities
Reputational harm
Emotional distress
Consequential or incidental damages

Section 18: User Assumption of Risk

By using our platform, you acknowledge:

Risk of meeting strangers
Risk of service quality disappointment
Risk of disputes with uncles
Risk of personal injury during bookings
Risk of technical failures
Risk that uncles may lack required insurance

Section 19: Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless:

Uncle Rental
Our officers, directors, employees
Our service providers

From claims arising from:

Your use of the platform
Your violation of terms
Your violation of laws
Your interactions with users
Content you post (reviews, messages)
Disputes with users

Section 20: Force Majeure

We are not liable for failures or delays caused by events beyond reasonable control:

Natural disasters (typhoons, earthquakes)
Pandemics or health crises
War or civil unrest
Government actions
Internet outages
Third-party service failures

Section 21: Policy Changes

We reserve the right to modify this policy.

Process:

30 days advance notice (email and in-app)
Updated "Last Updated" date shown
Material changes highlighted

Acceptance: Continued use = acceptance of updated policy

Section 22: Jurisdiction & Governing Law

Governing Law: Hong Kong SAR

Jurisdiction: Hong Kong courts have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes

Language: English version prevails in case of conflict

Section 23: Entire Agreement

This Privacy Policy & Disclaimer, along with our Terms of Service and Cancellation Policy, constitutes the entire agreement between you and Uncle Rental.

Contact Information

Privacy Inquiries & Data Requests
Email: adwinrhk@gmail.com
Alternative: privacy@unclerental.com

General Support
Email: support@unclerental.com

Legal Issues
Email: legal@unclerental.com

Opt-Out Rights

You can stop all collection of information by uninstalling the Application. Use the standard uninstall process available on your device or via the app store (Google Play / Apple App Store).

Your Consent

By using the Application (web or mobile), you consent to the processing of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy now and as amended by us.

End of Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Last Updated: March 10, 2026 | Version 1.1
Hosted at: https://unclerental.com/legal/privacy