Privacy Policy for Bola Buddy

Last Updated: May 28, 2025

Welcome to Bola Buddy! This Privacy Policy describes how Bola Buddy (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our mobile application and related services (collectively, the “App”). It also outlines important information regarding your use of the App, including how payments, disputes, and cancellations are handled.

Our Role: A Facilitation Platform

Bola Buddy acts as a technology platform that facilitates communication, booking, and payment processing between boaters seeking to rent mooring balls and marina operators or owners (“Marinas”) offering mooring balls for rent. You acknowledge and agree that Bola Buddy is primarily a neutral intermediary and facilitation platform. We do not own, operate, manage, or control any Marinas or mooring balls listed on our App. Our service is to bridge communication, facilitate bookings, and process payments for transactions between you and the Marinas. The contract for the actual mooring rental and any associated services is directly between the boater and the Marina.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our App, to facilitate bookings and payments, and to ensure a safe and reliable experience for our users.

  • Information You Provide to Us:
    • Account Information: When you create a Bola Buddy account, we collect information such as your name, email address, phone number, password, and profile picture.
    • Boater Information: If you are a boater, we may collect information about your boat (e.g., type, size, registration details) to help you find suitable moorings.
    • Marina Information: If you are a Marina, we collect information about your facility, mooring balls available (e.g., location, size, amenities, pricing), bank account information (for payouts), and contact details.
    • Booking Information: When you make or receive a booking through the App, we collect information related to the transaction, including dates, times, location, the price set by the Marina, and messages exchanged between users.
    • Payment Information: When you, as a boater, make a booking, we process the payment for the transaction. This includes the Marina’s charge for the mooring ball and any additional services they offer, plus Bola Buddy’s service fee (as defined in Section 9). To process these payments, we, through our third-party payment processors, collect payment information such as your credit/debit card number, expiration date, and CVV. Bola Buddy may store a tokenized version of your card or other identifiers provided by the payment processor to facilitate future transactions but does not typically store your full payment card details on its own servers. When you, as a Marina, set up payouts, we collect bank account or other payment instrument information to remit funds to you, processed via our payment partners.
    • Communications: We collect information you provide when you communicate with us (e.g., for customer support, feedback) or with other users through the App’s messaging features.
    • Verification Information: To promote trust and safety, we may collect identity verification information (such as a government-issued ID) as permitted by applicable laws.
  • Information We Automatically Collect When You Use the App:
    • Usage Information: We collect information about your interactions with the App, such as the pages or content you view, your searches for Marinas or mooring balls, bookings you have made, and other actions on the App.
    • Log Data and Device Information: We automatically collect log data and device information when you access and use the App. This information includes, among other things, details about how you’ve used the App, IP address, access dates and times, hardware and software information, device information, unique identifiers, crash data, cookie data, and the pages you’ve viewed or engaged with before or after using the App.
    • Location Information: We may collect information about your precise or approximate location as determined through data such as your IP address or mobile device’s GPS. You can control or disable the use of location services for applications in the device’s settings menu.
    • Transaction Information: We collect information related to your transactions on the App, including the date and time, amounts charged (Marina’s price and Bola Buddy’s service fee), and other related transaction details.
    • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and other similar technologies to help provide, protect, and improve the App.
  • Information We Collect from Third Parties:
    • Third-Party Services: If you link, connect, or log in to your Bola Buddy account with a third-party service (e.g., Google, Facebook), that service may send us information such as your registration and profile information.
    • Payment Processors: Our payment processors may provide us with information about your transactions, payment instrument details (e.g., card type, last four digits), and information related to fraud detection.
    • Background Information: For Marinas and boaters, to the extent permitted by law, we may obtain reports from public records or background check providers.
    • Other Sources: We may receive additional information about you, such as demographic data or fraud detection information, from third-party service providers and/or partners.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

  • To provide, operate, maintain, and improve the App.
  • To enable you to access and use the App, including to facilitate bookings, process payments for mooring rentals and our service fees, and manage communications between boaters and Marinas.
  • To personalize your experience.
  • To send you service, support, and administrative messages, reminders, technical notices, updates, and security alerts.
  • To calculate, charge, and collect Bola Buddy’s service fee for facilitating the transaction.
  • To facilitate payouts to Marinas.
  • For customer service, including responding to your inquiries and providing support.
  • To monitor and analyze trends, usage, and activities.
  • To investigate and prevent fraudulent transactions, unauthorized access, and other illegal activities.
  • To comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes (as outlined in Section 9), and enforce our agreements.
  • For marketing and promotional purposes, with your consent where required.

3. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information

  • With Other Users:
    • Boaters: When you request to book, we share your name, boat information, and messages with the Marina. Once confirmed, contact details may be shared if necessary for the service.
    • Marinas: We share your Marina and mooring ball details, public profile, and messages with boaters. We also share necessary transaction information with you regarding bookings for your mooring balls.
  • Publicly Visible Information: Your public profile information and reviews may be visible to the public.
  • Payment Processors: We share transaction information and payment instrument details with our third-party payment processors to facilitate payments and payouts. These processors have their own privacy policies that govern their use of your information.
  • Service Providers: We share information with vendors performing services on our behalf (hosting, analytics, customer service, marketing).
  • Aggregated or De-Identified Data: We may share non-personally identifiable information for research, analysis, or marketing.
  • Business Transfers: If Bola Buddy is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your personal information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
  • Legal Compliance and Protection: We may disclose your information if required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Bola Buddy, our users, or the public, or to respond to legal processes or investigations.

4. Your Rights and Choices

  • Account Information: You may review, update, or correct your account information by logging in or request deactivation by contacting us.
  • Location Information: You can control location information collection via your device settings.
  • Cookies: You can manage cookies through your browser settings.
  • Promotional Communications: You may opt out of promotional emails.
  • Data Access and Deletion: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal information. Contact us to make such requests.

5. Security of Your Information

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information. However, no system is 100% secure.

6. Children’s Privacy

Our App is not for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions. Your consent to this Privacy Policy represents your agreement to such transfers.

8. Third-Party Links and Services

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites or services linked through the App.

9. Payment Processing, Dispute Resolution, Limitation of Liability, and Role of Bola Buddy

  • Payment Processing and Bola Buddy Service Fee: Bola Buddy facilitates bookings by processing payments from Boaters through the App. The total amount charged to a Boater for a booking includes: (i) the price for the mooring ball rental and any additional services as set by the Marina (the “Marina Charge”), and (ii) Bola Buddy’s service fee, which is currently 7.5% of the Marina Charge (the “Service Fee”), for the use of the App, facilitation of the booking, and payment processing services. Bola Buddy will remit the Marina Charge (less the Service Fee) to the Marina in accordance with our payment terms with Marinas. You, as a Boater, authorize Bola Buddy to charge your selected payment method for the total amount of the booking.
  • Disputes Regarding Bookings, Marina Charges, and Additional Services: The contract for the mooring rental and any associated services (e.g., electricity, water, specific mooring features) is directly between the Boater and the Marina. All charges set by the Marina (the “Marina Charge”) and any charges for additional services or fees imposed by the Marina are determined solely by the Marina. While Bola Buddy processes the payment for these charges as part of the total transaction amount, Bola Buddy is not responsible for the underlying services provided by the Marina, the appropriateness of the Marina Charge, or any issues arising from the mooring rental itself. Therefore, any disputes, claims, or disagreements regarding the Marina Charge, the quality of the mooring ball or related services provided by the Marina, refunds for the Marina Charge, or any aspect of the mooring rental agreement must be resolved directly between the Boater and the respective Marina. You agree to direct all such disputes and claims exclusively to the Marina. Bola Buddy’s role will be limited to providing necessary contact information for the Marina or directing you to the Marina for resolution. You agree not to initiate any chargeback, claim, or dispute with Bola Buddy or its payment processors for issues related to the Marina Charge or the services provided by Marinas. Such actions should be pursued directly with the Marina. Disputes specifically and solely concerning the calculation or application of Bola Buddy’s 7.5% Service Fee (and not the Marina Charge or the Marina’s services) should be directed to Bola Buddy customer support.
  • Cancellation Policies: Each Marina is responsible for establishing and enforcing its own cancellation policies for mooring ball rentals. These policies may vary. Boaters are responsible for reviewing and understanding the specific cancellation policy of the Marina before making a booking. Bola Buddy will display the cancellation policy provided by the Marina, if available, but boaters should consult directly with the Marina for the most accurate and up-to-date cancellation terms. Bola Buddy is not responsible for enforcing Marina cancellation policies or for issuing refunds related to the Marina Charge due to cancellations, which are subject to the Marina’s policy. Bola Buddy’s Service Fee may be non-refundable depending on the timing of the cancellation and our separate Terms of Service.
  • Bola Buddy as a Facilitation Platform and Exclusion from Legal Disputes: You expressly understand and agree that Bola Buddy’s role is strictly limited to providing a technology platform to facilitate communication, bookings, and payment processing between boaters and Marinas. Bola Buddy does not own, control, offer, or manage any mooring balls or Marina services. We are not a party to the rental agreements or service agreements entered into between boaters and Marinas. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to release, defend (at Bola Buddy’s option), indemnify, and hold Bola Buddy and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, employees, and agents, harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees, arising out of or in any way connected with: (i) your access to or use of the App or your violation of this Privacy Policy or our Terms of Service; (ii) your interaction with any Marina or boater; (iii) your booking or use of a mooring ball or related Marina services; (iv) any disputes or issues between you and a Marina or another user, including but not limited to disputes over payments for Marina Charges, services, or cancellations, even if payment was processed through Bola Buddy. Bola Buddy shall not be a party to, and shall be excluded from, any legal disputes, litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution proceedings between users (boaters and Marinas) arising from or related to any transaction, interaction, or agreement for Marina services facilitated through the App. Users agree to resolve all such disputes directly with each other.
  • Limitation of Liability (General): To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Bola Buddy, its affiliates, agents, directors, employees, suppliers, or licensors be liable for any indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including without limitation damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to the use of, or inability to use, the App or any services or goods obtained through the App. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Bola Buddy assumes no liability or responsibility for any (i) errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies of content provided by users or third parties; (ii) personal injury or property damage, of any nature whatsoever, resulting from your access to or use of our App or any mooring ball or Marina services (even if payment was processed via Bola Buddy); (iii) any unauthorized access to or use of our secure servers and/or any and all personal information stored therein; (iv) any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from the App; (v) any bugs, viruses, trojan horses, or the like that may be transmitted to or through our App by any third party; (vi) any errors or omissions in any content or for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any content posted, emailed, transmitted, or otherwise made available through the App; and/or (vii) the defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of any user or third party. In no event shall Bola Buddy, its affiliates, agents, directors, employees, suppliers, or licensors be liable to you for any claims, proceedings, liabilities, obligations, damages, losses or costs in an amount exceeding the greater of (a) the total Service Fees paid by you to Bola Buddy in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the liability, or (b) one hundred U.S. dollars (USD $100.00). This limitation of liability section applies whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if Bola Buddy has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email, by posting a notice on our App, or as required by law. Your continued use of the App after modifications constitutes your acknowledgment and consent to the modified Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
support@bolabuddy.com