Your privacy, clearly explained.

1. Information we collect

We collect information you provide directly, such as your name, email address, phone number, account details, messages, and hostel listing information. When you visit the site, our analytics script also records a page visit and sends the following information to our analytics service:

• Visit and page details: the website name, page-visit event name, page path, page title, full page URL, visit timestamp, and the identifier used for the visit.
• Session and account context: an anonymous session identifier stored in local storage, authentication state, account or user identifier when available, authentication token when the signed-in application makes it available, and fixed placeholder values for fields that do not apply to a public page visit.
• Device and browser details: device category (desktop, mobile, or tablet), operating system, platform, and browser user-agent string.
• Display details: screen width and height, viewport width and height, and device pixel ratio.
• Network details: our analytics server may receive and record your IP address from the incoming request and trusted proxy or server connection information. The browser does not read or send your public IP address itself.

Some information, including account identifiers and authentication context, is included only when it is available in the browser session. We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information through this page-visit request.

2. Why we collect this information

We collect this information to operate and secure the website, understand how visitors use our pages, measure traffic and performance, diagnose technical problems, prevent abuse, maintain reliable sessions, improve our services, and connect account activity to the correct signed-in experience when applicable. We do not sell personal information.

3. How we use information

• To provide, maintain, and improve our website and services.
• To respond to support requests and communicate about listings, bookings, or accounts.
• To verify and display hostel information submitted by owners.
• To protect the site, prevent abuse, and meet legal obligations.
• To understand site traffic, page performance, and visitor behavior in aggregate.

4. Sharing information

We do not sell personal information. We may share information with service providers that help us host, secure, operate, or measure the site, with hostel owners or students when needed to provide a requested service, or when disclosure is required by law. We ask service providers to handle information only for the agreed purpose.

5. Cookies and local storage

Our analytics script uses local storage to keep an anonymous session identifier so visits can be associated with the same browser session. StayBuddy uses an HTTP-only cookie to keep your anonymous chat session available across supported StayInHostel subdomains; chat history is kept for 7 days unless you delete the session using the chatbot reset control. We also use necessary browser storage for preferences such as cookie consent. You can clear browser storage or change your browser settings at any time, though some site features may be affected.

6. Retention and security

We keep information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described above, account administration, dispute resolution, and legal requirements. We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards, but no internet service can guarantee absolute security.

7. Your choices

You may ask to access, correct, or delete personal information we hold about you, subject to applicable law. You can clear the anonymous analytics identifier from your browser's local storage and unsubscribe from non-essential email communications. Contact us at info@stayinhostel.com.

8. Children

Our services are intended for people who can legally use them in their location. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent.

9. Policy updates

We may update this policy when our services or legal obligations change. The effective date at the top of this page will show when the latest version took effect.