Vukea — Privacy Policy
Effective Date: August 11, 2025
This Privacy Policy explains how Vukea (“Vukea,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information when you use our mobile applications, websites (including https://vukea.com), products, and services (collectively, the “Platform”). It also describes your choices and rights.
If you are located in the United States and use the Platform to request or provide transportation in New York City, additional disclosures apply (see Section 13 — NYC‑Specific Disclosures).
By using the Platform, you agree to the practices described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.
1) Personal Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of information, depending on how you use the Platform.
A. Account and Identity Information
- Name, email address, phone number, password or credentials
- Profile photo, preferred language, settings
- Government IDs and licensing information (for Drivers): driver’s license, TLC license, vehicle documents, insurance
B. Contact and Communications
- Message content sent through the app (e.g., in‑app chat, support tickets)
- Call metadata (time, duration) and masked call records (content not recorded by Vukea unless disclosed otherwise)
C. Location and Telematics
- Precise location from your device (GPS, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth), including background location for Drivers
- Trip route, pickup/dropoff, distance, time, speed, device motion signals
D. Device, Usage, and Analytics
- Device identifiers, OS and app version, IP address, network, crash logs
- Activity within the app (features used, clicks), cookies and similar technologies on the web
E. Payments and Transaction Data
- Payment method details (tokenized by our processor), billing information
- Fares, fees, tips, refunds, chargebacks, receipts
F. Background Check and Safety Data (Drivers)
- Results provided by screening vendors and, where applicable, NYC TLC requirements
- Safety reports, incident details, claims information, account deactivation reasons
G. User Content and Feedback
- Ratings, compliments, complaints, surveys, and reviews
H. Inferences
- Service eligibility, fraud risk, and preferences inferred from other data points
We may collect information about you from third parties (e.g., identity verification providers, background screeners, payment processors, insurers, fraud prevention partners, mapping providers, marketing partners) and from other users (e.g., lost‑item reports).
2) How We Use Personal Information
We use personal information to:
- Provide, operate, and improve the Platform and core features (matching Riders with Drivers, navigation, pricing, trip support)
- Enable payments, receipts, and account management
- Maintain safety, security, and integrity (identity verification, background screening, driver/rider safety tools, incident response)
- Comply with legal obligations (including TLC reporting, tax, accounting, and insurance requirements)
- Communicate with you (service messages, support, changes to terms, marketing with your consent where required)
- Personalize and analyze the Platform (e.g., route optimization, demand forecasting)
- Detect, prevent, and prosecute fraud and abuse
3) Legal Bases (Where Required)
Where a legal basis is required (e.g., in the EEA/UK), we rely on: contract (to deliver the services), legitimate interests (safety, fraud prevention, product improvement), legal obligation (TLC, tax), and consent (e.g., certain marketing, precise location on some platforms).
4) Sharing and Disclosures
We share personal information as follows:
- Between Riders and Drivers. Names (or first names), profile photos (if provided), ratings, pickup/dropoff area, and real‑time location during an active trip.
- Service Providers and Vendors. Payment processors, cloud hosting, mapping, identity verification, background screening, communications, analytics, customer support, insurers and claims administrators, and safety vendors.
- Regulators and Law Enforcement. Where required by law or valid legal request, including NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) reporting and audits.
- Affiliates and Corporate Transactions. In connection with mergers, acquisitions, financing, or asset transfers.
- With Your Direction. When you ask us to share, or connect Vukea to a third‑party app or program.
We do not sell personal information for money. We may share identifiers and usage data with advertising or analytics partners to improve the Platform; where applicable law considers this a “sale” or “sharing” for targeted advertising, you may opt out (see Section 9).
5) Location Services
Precise location is required to enable core features:
- Riders: to find nearby Drivers, calculate ETAs and fares, and complete trips
- Drivers: to receive dispatches, navigation, pickups/dropoffs, and safety features; background location access must remain enabled while online
You can disable location access in your device settings, but some features will not function and you may not be able to use the Platform.
6) Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies, SDKs, pixels, and local storage to keep you signed in, remember preferences, personalize content, and analyze usage. You may manage cookie preferences in your browser/app settings and (where available) in our Privacy Settings.
7) Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Platform, for legitimate business purposes, and to meet legal obligations. Typical retention periods include:
- Trip and payment records: at least 7 years (tax, accounting, regulatory)
- Safety and claims files: for the duration of the matter plus applicable limitation periods
- Account data: for the life of the account and a reasonable period after closure (e.g., 3–7 years) unless a longer period is required by law
8) Your Choices
- Account Settings. Update profile details, payment methods, and communication preferences in the app.
- Marketing Opt‑Out. Unsubscribe from promotional emails via the link in the message. Reply STOP to SMS marketing. You will still receive transactional or safety messages.
- Location Controls. Adjust device permissions to control location sharing.
- Do Not Track. We do not respond to browser DNT signals. Use our in‑app settings or platform privacy controls instead.
9) U.S. State Privacy Rights (e.g., CA/CO/CT/UT/VA)
If you are a resident of certain U.S. states, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, port, and opt out of certain processing (e.g., targeted advertising or profiling). To exercise rights or an appeal, contact us at vukea3030@gmail.com or via https://vukea.com/contact/.
- Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We do not sell personal information for money. To opt out of data “sharing” for cross‑context behavioral advertising where applicable, use the in‑app Privacy Settings or contact us.
- We will verify requests and respond within the timeframes required by law. Authorized agents may submit requests with proof of authorization.
10) Children’s Privacy
The Platform is not directed to children under 13. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to use the services. If you believe we have collected personal information from a child under 13, contact us to request deletion.
11) Security
We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information (e.g., encryption in transit, access controls, monitoring). No system is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your credentials and for securing your devices.
12) International Transfers
We may process and store information in the United States and other countries. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (e.g., standard contractual clauses) for cross‑border transfers.
13) NYC‑Specific Disclosures (TLC and Related Requirements)
- Trips in New York City must comply with Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) rules. We may collect, retain, and disclose data required by TLC (e.g., trip time, distance, fares, surcharges, pickup/dropoff, vehicle/driver identifiers) and by the Black Car Fund and other applicable programs.
- We may share information with TLC‑licensed bases and affiliated entities to dispatch, administer, and audit trips.
- Zero‑tolerance safety reports (e.g., drugs/alcohol complaints) and accessibility‑related reports may be retained and disclosed as required by law.
14) Third‑Party Links and Services
The Platform may link to third‑party sites or integrate third‑party services (maps, payments, identity verification). Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.
15) Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. We will post the updated Policy and update the Effective Date above. Material changes will be communicated via the app, email, or our website.
16) Contact Us
Vukea
Email: vukea3030@gmail.com
Phone: +1 347 317‑1925
Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00; Sun 09:00–18:00
Website: https://vukea.com/
Contact Page: https://vukea.com/contact/
If you are a Driver: You may need to maintain background location enabled while online to receive trip offers, for safety features, and to comply with applicable rules. Disabling background location may limit your access to the Platform.
If you are a Rider: Disabling precise location may limit our ability to provide accurate pickups and fares. You can still enter addresses manually, but service may be degraded.
