Privacy policy | Rooms

Effective Date: July 30, 2021

Rooms | Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy outlines the ways in which Rooms (referred to as "Rooms," "we," "us," or "our" in this document), the operator of www.rooms.rentals (referred to as the "Site"), the Rooms mobile application, and the services offered through both platforms, aim to facilitate connections between apartment renters, roommates, and room renters. By using the Service, which includes the Site, mobile application, and other services that connect users, you consent to our collecting, storing, using, and disclosing your information as described in this Privacy Policy. This Policy explains what information we gather when you use the Service, how we utilize and share that data, and your rights regarding the information. Please review the full Privacy Policy and Terms of Use at https://www.rooms.rentals/terms-of-use before using the Service. If you disagree with any part of the Privacy Policy, you must not use the Service.

1 Data collected by the Service: 

i. Information You Directly and Voluntarily Provide to Us:
While using our Service, we may collect any information you provide, whether it's through customer service or technical support. We collect information you give us during these interactions. Your email address may be provided if you wish to receive information about the services Rooms offers. Also, you do provide your email if you want updates on our Services and offerings.

The app or website collects and processes personal information as part of the Rooms service to provide the Rooms functions. The following information is required when you register as a member: your name, email address, birth date, and phone number, as mobile verification is required for transparency and to activate listings, as well as details regarding the room, roommate, house, apartment, or condo you wish to list or seek through the service. Profiles allow members to provide additional information such as gender, residence, occupation, and interests. It is optional to provide additional information, however it facilitates better connections between members.

ii. Our Use of Data About You:
These personal details are necessary to enable a variety of account-specific features and functionality. We collect and process your personal information to provide you with account-specific features and functionality. Your data will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can permanently delete your personal information at any time by going into the application settings and deleting your account. 

Also, we will use your personal information for several purposes including the following: Search for matches to your profile. Display your profile in other user searches. Allow you to send and receive messages. The IP addresses can be used to identify the location of users and can be used to block disruptive users and usage.

In addition, we may contact you in the following circumstances: (a) To provide the service you requested (e.g., to notify you of matches, messages, password reminders). (b) Where you have opted to receive further correspondence (e.g. newsletters). (c) To invite you to participate in surveys regarding our services (participation is always voluntary).

Additionally, we will use your personal information for several purposes including the following: Search for matches to your profile. Display your profile in other user searches. Allow you to send and receive messages. The IP addresses can be used to identify the location of users and can be used to block disruptive users and usage.

iii. Data Collected Automatically via the Platform:
When you use our Service, we may collect information about you automatically. For instance, if you access our Service on your computer, we gather data like your browser type and version, computer specs, connection details, IP address, and standard website logs. If you access our Service on a mobile device, we may identify your device's location, though you can opt out of sharing that by adjusting your device's location service settings.

The Service automatically collects information from you through "cookies" when you use it. Cookies are small data files stored in your computer's web browser that websites you visit can access and record so they can recognize your browser when you return online later.

If you use the Service, cookies may collect information about you, including but not limited to:

(a) The webpages accessed during your use of the website or mobile App.
(b) The specific date and time of each visit to the website or mobile App.
(c) The duration of time spent engaging with the website or mobile App.
(d) The Internet Protocol (IP) address utilized to establish a connection between your device and the Internet; and

Details regarding your device and connectivity, including browser type and version, operating system, and platform information.

We do not use cookies to track users across websites or over time in order to target ads. You can configure your browser to reject cookies or notify you when receiving them. However, disabling cookies may prevent logging in or using certain features on this website.

iv Cookies and Web Beacons Used by Third Parties:
The Service may contain third-party advertising, links to other sites, and content from third-party businesses. These third parties may utilize cookies and web beacons to track users' online activities over time and across different websites and platforms to deliver targeted ads to individual users. For more information on how online ad tracking works, visit https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/cookies-and-web-beacons. 

We may also use Google Analytics to anonymously gather and analyze information about how you use the Service. Google Analytics is a web analytics service from Google that uses cookies to collect data about the content you view, the websites you visit before and after the Site, and your system and location information. This data allows us to understand how you use the Service, but Google anonymizes it before sharing it with us. For more details on how Google collects and handles your information, visit http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/

Third-party websites may use web beacons or cookies that are beyond Rooms access or control. We cannot take responsibility for either the privacy practices or content of these external sites. You should review the privacy policies of any website you visit. 

v. Do Not Track:
Your browser may let you adjust settings to send "do not track" requests to websites you visit. However, Rooms will not turn off any tracking technology used on our website in response to "do not track" requests from your browser.

vi. Sharing information on third-party websites or via social media services:
The Service may include links to third-party websites and social media services where you can post comments, reviews, and other information. Using these third-party sites may lead to the collection or sharing of your information by those services. It is recommended that you review the privacy policies and settings on any third-party sites you use to understand how they may collect, use, and share your personal information.

vii. Your information posted on the service:
If you share information publicly on the Rooms service or post roommate, room for rent, room wanted or any other accommodation listings, that information may be collected and used by Rooms, other users, and the public. We strongly advise against posting any details through the service that you do not want to be made public or that would let strangers identify or find you. It is Rooms' policy to remove any content that it believes or determines violates the law from the service.

viii. Content You Shared on the Rooms Service:
The information you post in public areas on Rooms Service or list a roommate, room wanted, and other accommodation on Rooms Service may be collected and used by Rooms, other users, and the public. We strongly advise against posting any information through the Service that you do not want to share publicly or that could allow strangers to identify or find you. We reserve the right to remove any content that we suspect or determine violates the law that you post on the Service.

ix. Payment Processor:
We accept payments through third-party providers such as PayPal.com and Stripe's online secure payment systems, as well as Apple Pay and Google Play in-app payments. These third-party providers handle all payments made through the Service. We don't have access to your financial information or ask you for your credit card or bank account details. Whenever you pay via PayPal or Stripe, Apple Pay, or Google Play In-App payment, your financial information is not shared with Us Rooms (us). Through Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Play In-App payment secure payment option, we can accept AMEX, Visa, Master Card, Discover Card, and Debit cards or you can optionally login and pay through your PayPal account.

2. Information We Collect and How We Use It:
We analyze information gathered through the Service to understand how users interact with it and our products and services. Examining usage patterns and trends allows us to enhance the user experience by refining the Service, products, and services. Additionally, we may use this information to contact, communicate with, and respond to users, as well as to address their communications and requests.

Registered members may receive marketing emails about products and services that may interest them. Upon receiving these emails, users may unsubscribe by following the instructions included in each message. Any information you provide to us through our website, mobile applications, or via email will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. It will not be sold, rented, traded, loaned, or otherwise disclosed to any third party without your express consent.

i. How We Use JavaScript Libraries:
The Rooms website utilizes a variety of tools, including Meta Pixels, Google Tags, Google Firebase, Google DoubleClick, Google Analytics, Microsoft Bing,
Microsoft, Click Cease, Linkedin, and Branch Javascript Libraries. These Javascript Libraries consist of computer code that is downloaded onto your browser, both on your computer and mobile device. This enables us to track your access to the information on our website. The Javascript Libraries transmit information about your website visit to platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft Bing, and LinkedIn. As a result, you may encounter advertisements related to your search for a roommate or a dwelling, as well as other advertisements when you visit other websites. By using our system, you agree to the utilization of these Javascript libraries by us. By using these Javascript libraries, you waive any rights you may have under local, state, or federal laws or statutes to make any claims or receive compensation.

ii. Data Retention:
Depending on the service you have purchased, we are required to keep your personal information in our systems for as long as it is necessary to fulfill your request. Also, whenever we collect personal information from you, we retain it if we have a legitimate business need to do so (for example, to comply with applicable legal, tax, or accounting requirements, to maintain records of fraud, to enforce our agreements, or to comply with legal obligations), or to meet our standard business practices.

iii. Data Deletion:
You may permanently delete your personal information at any time by visiting our website, iOS app, or Android app and clicking on the application settings link. It may be possible to request the deletion of your data in certain circumstances by Contacting Us. 

3. Our Approach to Sharing Your Information with Third Parties:
We do not provide the user information we collect through the Service to any third parties for marketing purposes. Should we decide to share your information with third parties for marketing purposes in the future, we will notify you and give you the opportunity to opt-in to receiving those communications. The only times we share your information with third parties are as follows:

i. Providing Data to Third-Party Service Providers, Employees, and Third-Party Processors:
We will share your information with our employees, contractors, partners, distributors, dealers, vendors, and suppliers ("Service Providers") who offer certain services for us or on our behalf. These services include operating and supporting our Service, analyzing data, and performing marketing or consulting work. Service Providers will only access the minimum information required to perform their designated functions.

ii. Providing Data to Other Members of the Service:
Upon registration as a member, some of your profile information, such as your first name, photo, age, gender, city, state, and occupation, will be publicly accessible to both unregistered users and registered members. Payment and subscription details for paid members, as well as private mailboxes, will remain completely private and inaccessible to all other users.

iii. Third-Party Operated Network:
If you post a listing for a roommate, room wanted, or other accommodations through our Rooms Service, we may share that listing information with third-party roommate, room wanted, or other accommodations aggregation websites and apps we partner with. For example, if you list a roommate, room wanted, or other accommodations on our Service, it may also get posted on those external sites that feature roommate, room wanted, or other accommodations rental and leasing opportunities. By listing a roommate, room wanted, or other accommodation need on our Service, you consent to have it appear on those third-party sites as well. 

iv. Responding to Court Orders or Subpoenas to Protect Your Rights and to Comply with Our Policies:
We will disclose your information to government authorities or third parties as permitted by law if we are: (a) required to do so by law, subpoena, or court order; (b) we believe it is reasonably necessary to protect against fraud, safeguard the property or other rights of us, other users, third parties, or the public; or (c) we believe you have misused the Service to attack other systems, gain unauthorized access, engage in spamming, or otherwise violate applicable laws. After any disclosure, your information may become accessible to others as allowed or mandated by law.

v. Insolvency; Business Transfers:
If we merge with or are acquired by another company, file for bankruptcy, or sell all or part of our assets, we may transfer any user information we own, manage, or control to third parties. As part of such a transaction, we reserve the right to transfer or assign your information and other data collected from Service users. Except as ordered by a bankruptcy court or other court, the use and disclosure of all transferred user data will still be subject to this Privacy Policy. However, any information submitted or collected after the transfer may be subject to a new privacy policy adopted by the successor entity.

vi. Rooms and its Affiliates:
In some cases, we will share some or all your information with our subsidiaries, affiliates, joint ventures, or other affiliated companies. Regarding the use of your information, we will require these companies to comply with this Privacy Policy.

vii. Children's Information:
Rooms' website and its mobile applications are intended for a general audience and are not directed at or intended for children under 18 years of age. To use the Sites or Services, you must be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in the jurisdiction where you reside. Our database will be purged of any information we receive from individuals who we believe to be under the age of 18. Neither do we knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18 nor do we have any reasonable grounds to believe that children under the age of 18 are accessing or using our service. By registering, you attest that you are of legal age and that you have the legal capacity to bind yourself to these terms.

viii. Data Security:
We implement reasonable security measures aimed at protecting the information under our control from loss, misuse, and alteration. However, we cannot guarantee absolute security for data transmitted over the internet. While we strive to keep information secure, any data you submit through our service is at your own risk. We would appreciate it if you would contact us immediately if you discovered a security vulnerability.

ix. Changes to this Privacy Statement:
Whenever we make changes to this Privacy Policy, we will post the amended terms on our website at least 30 days prior to the change taking effect. It is recommended that you discontinue use of our service before the updated privacy policy takes effect if you do not agree with the changes. Continued use of our service after the new privacy policy takes effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

x. Right to complain:
If you have concerns regarding our privacy policy, data handling practices, or feel we have breached your privacy, please contact us directly so we can investigate and resolve the issue quickly. You have the right to file a complaint at any time with the DPC or other competent supervisory authority if you use our service outside of IE. However, we kindly request you contact us first to give us a chance to address your concerns before approaching the authorities.

xi. Information Access, Change, and Management:
To change your account information or delete your account, log in to your member profile. Under "Edit Profile", you can update your details. To terminate your account, go to "Account Settings" and select "Delete Account". You can also email info@rooms.rentals to request account deletion. Upon receiving your request, we will delete your information as specified 

xii. Aggregated Data:
Data that is aggregated, such as statistical or demographic data, is also collected, used, and shared by us for any purpose. As aggregated data does not directly or indirectly reveal your identity, it is not considered personal data under current law. We may use your Usage Data to calculate the percentage of users who access a particular feature of our website. However, if we combine or connect Aggregated Data with your data in a manner that can be used to identify you directly or indirectly, we will treat the combined data as personal data that will be handled in accordance with this Privacy policy. 

xiii. Special Categories of Personal Data:
We do not collect sensitive personal information such as details about your race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, political opinions, health, genetic data, biometric data, or criminal history. In addition, we do not collect information regarding criminal convictions and offenses.

xiv. Getting in Touch with Us:
We value the users of our service, and we strive to keep them always satisfied. Contact Us if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or if you have any complaints, questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions that will help to improve our service. Our customer service representatives are always available and will contact you immediately or at the latest within 24 hours.