Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the personal information of individuals who access or use the Platform, including Renters, Sublessor Hosts, and Landlord Hosts (each as defined in the Terms).

The Platform is intended for users who are at least eighteen (18) years old.

We collect personal information of individuals from three sources: (A) information you provide to us, (B) information we collect automatically when you use the Platform, and (C) information we receive from third parties.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18.

Nor is our Platform meant to collect sensitive, confidential or privileged legal information (we do not provide legal advice). You of course could choose to enter sensitive or privileged information into a contact form or e-mail or into our chatbot, but there is no reason to do so, and we ask you not to.

2.1 Information You Provide

Depending on how you use the Platform, you may provide, without limitation, the following types of personal information:

(a) Account and Profile Information

• Name (or other profile name you choose to provide)
• Email address (including a .edu email used for student verification)
• School/university and related student status information you provide
• Password or authentication information (as applicable)
• Any optional profile details you choose to provide

(b) Verification Information

For Renters and Sublessor Hosts (Verified Students):

• Your .edu email address and confirmation that you can access it
• Verification event metadata (e.g., when verification occurred)

For Landlord Hosts (Verified Landlords):

• Identity verification information (which may include government-issued ID and document review by us or a third-party verification service)
• Business or entity documentation (e.g., LLC registration, dba certificate)
• Proof of ownership or property-management authority (e.g., recorded deed, title information, property-management agreement)
• Verification event metadata (e.g., when verification occurred)

(Please note that we do not represent that any verification is identity verification beyond our then-current process. Verified Student status is verification of student enrollment; Verified Landlord status is verification of property ownership or management authority. Neither status includes background checks, credit checks, criminal checks, or property inspection.)

(c) Listing and Housing Information (Hosts)

• Listing details (address or approximate location, dates, rent amount, description, photos, amenities, rules)
• Lease-backed documentation that you upload or provide to support a Listing (e.g., a master lease)

(d) Messaging Content

• Messages and attachments you send through the Platform

At launch, the Platform provides messaging and does not provide voice/video calling features.

(e) Support and Communications

• Information you provide when you contact us (e.g., email content, support requests, problem reports)

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you use the Platform, we may automatically collect:

(a) Device and Log Information

• IP address, device type, browser type, operating system
• Access times, pages viewed, links clicked, and referring URLs
• Diagnostic and performance data (e.g., crash logs)

(b) Cookies and Similar Technologies

We may use cookies, pixels, SDKs, and similar technologies to:

• keep you logged in,
• remember preferences,
• understand usage and improve the Platform, as well as to help protect against fraud and abuse.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some parts of the Platform may not function properly.

2.3 Information We Receive from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

(a) Payment Processors (e.g., Stripe)

When you make an Initial Platform Payment through the Platform, the payment is processed by a third-party payment processor (currently expected to include Stripe, collectively, “Payment Processors”).

We may receive transaction-related information such as:

• payment status (successful/failed),
• transaction amounts,
• timestamps,
• payout status to Hosts,
• limited payment method information (e.g., card brand and last four digits).

We do not receive or store your full card number. Payment processors handle sensitive payment credentials.

(b) Service Providers

We may receive information from vendors who help us operate the Platform (e.g., hosting, analytics, customer support tooling).

We use personal information for the following business purposes:

3.1 To Provide and Operate the Platform

• Create and manage accounts
• Verify student-only eligibility (e.g., .edu verification)
• Enable Listings, Offers, Bookings, and messaging
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries

3.2 To Process the Initial Platform Payment

• Facilitate checkout and payments through Payment Processors
• Administer Platform Fees and transaction records
• Address payment errors and disputes related to Platform-processed charges

3.3 To Protect the Platform and Users

• Detect, investigate, and help prevent fraud, spam, scams, abuse, and security incidents
• Enforce our Terms and Platform policies
• Maintain the safety and integrity of the Platform

3.4 To Improve and Develop the Platform

• Analyze usage trends and performance
• Debug, troubleshoot, and improve features
• Conduct internal research and product development

3.5 To Communicate With You

• Send transactional notices (e.g., account updates, booking confirmations, policy changes)
• Send support responses
• Send marketing communications where permitted by law and your choices (you can opt out of marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us)

3.6 To Comply With Legal Obligations

• Comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, and legal process
• Maintain records for tax, accounting, and compliance purposes
• Exercise or defend legal claims

We do not sell your personal information for monetary consideration. We share personal information in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Other Users (Hosts and Renters)

The Platform is a marketplace, so certain information must be shared between users to enable Listings and Bookings. Depending on your settings and actions, this may include:

• profile and verification indicators (e.g., Verified Student or Verified Landlord badge),
• Listing content (photos, descriptions, dates, rent),
• messages you send through the Platform,
• limited booking-related information needed to complete the transaction.

You are responsible for what you choose to share with other users.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with vendors and service providers that help us operate the Platform, such as:

• cloud hosting and data storage providers,
• payment processors (e.g., Stripe),
• analytics providers,
• customer support tools,
• security and fraud prevention vendors.

These service providers are authorized to use personal information only as necessary to provide services to us.

4.3 With Payment Processors for Platform Payments

We share information necessary to process the Initial Platform Payment and associated Platform Fees through the Payment Processor(s). Payment processors handle sensitive payment details under their own privacy and security practices.

4.4 For Legal, Safety, and Compliance Reasons

We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to:

• comply with applicable law or legal process,
• respond to lawful requests by public authorities,
• enforce our Terms,
• investigate and help prevent fraud or security issues,
• protect the rights, property, or safety of Student Spots, our users, or others.

4.5 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality protections.

5.1 Off-Platform Payments

If Hosts and Renters agree to pay any amounts outside the Platform (including remaining rent after the Initial Platform Payment), those payments are Off-Platform Payments solely between the users. Student Spots does not receive, process, hold, track, guarantee, or enforce Off-Platform Payments.

5.2 Third-Party Payment Apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, etc.)

If the Platform displays suggested Off-Platform payment methods, those are provided for convenience only. Student Spots is not affiliated with, responsible for, or endorsing any third-party payment service. Your use of third-party payment services is governed by their terms and privacy policies.

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• provide the Platform,
• comply with legal obligations,
• resolve disputes,
• enforce our agreements, and
• protect the Platform and users.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and legal or operational requirements. For example, we may retain transaction records longer for accounting and compliance, and we may retain messages and Listing records for safety, fraud prevention, and dispute support.

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8.1 Account Information

You may review and update certain account information through your account settings (if available) or by contacting us at contact@studentspots.com.

8.2 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in those emails. You may still receive transactional communications (e.g., booking confirmations or security notices).

8.3 Cookie Controls

Most browsers allow you to control cookies. If you block cookies, some Platform features may not work.

8.4 Access, Deletion, and Other Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have legal rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of certain personal information. To make a request, email contact@studentspots.com with the subject line “Privacy Request.” We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests.

Some U.S. state privacy laws (including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and Virginia) provide residents with additional rights and disclosures.

9.1 Categories of Personal Information Collected (Examples)

In the past 12 months, we may have collected the following categories:

• Identifiers (e.g., name, email address, IP address)
• Education-related information you provide (e.g., school/university and student verification via .edu email)
• Commercial information (e.g., records of Platform transactions and fees)
• Internet or electronic network activity (e.g., usage logs, device data)
• User-generated content (e.g., Listings, messages)
• Inferences (e.g., inferred preferences from searches and interactions)

9.2 Purposes of Collection

We collect and use these categories for the business purposes described in Section 3.

9.3 Sharing / Disclosure

We disclose personal information to service providers and partners for the purposes described in Section 4.

9.4 “Sale” or “Sharing” of Personal Information

Student Spots does not sell personal information for monetary consideration. Some privacy laws define “sale” or “sharing” broadly to include certain disclosures for analytics or advertising. If we engage in an activity that is legally considered “sale” or “sharing” in your jurisdiction, we will provide a legally required opt-out method.

To submit an opt-out request (if applicable), email contact@studentspots.com with the subject line “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.”

The Platform is not directed to children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided personal information to us, contact contact@studentspots.com and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide notice by email or through the Platform. The “Effective Date” at the top indicates when this Privacy Policy was last updated.

Student Spots, LLC
6 Liberty Sq #2011
Boston, MA 02109

Email: contact@studentspots.com