Privacy Policy

Effective Date of Current Policy: November 28, 2025

1. PURPOSE

This U.S. Privacy Policy ("Privacy Policy") describes our data practices with regard to your Personal Information, including the kinds of information we collect, how we collect, use, disclose, and retain that information, and how you can exercise choice regarding that information. "Personal Information" means any information relating, or reasonably capable of being linked, to you.

This Privacy Policy covers the data practices of Portar, Inc. ("Portar, Inc.," "we," "our," or "us"). It applies to Personal Information we collect through our United States websites, emails, SMS/text message, and other online services we control (collectively, the "Services"), our stores ("Stores"), and other locations we control subject to this Privacy Policy. It does not apply to information collected by third parties or information collected in the context of your employment with us.

Your use of the Services is also governed by our Terms of Use.

For our contact details, see the Contact Us section below.

2. TYPES OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND HOW WE USE IT

2.1 Personal Information You Provide Through the Services

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

  • Contact identifiers: Name, email address, mailing address, phone number
  • Characteristics or demographics: Country, preferences
  • Commercial or transactions information: Records of products/services purchased, obtained, or considered
  • Account credentials: Username, password, password hints, authentication information (if applicable)
  • Payment information: Payment instrument number, expiration date, security code (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
  • User-generated content: Messages, reviews, feedback, and other content you submit

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you use our Services, we automatically collect certain information, including:

  • Device identifiers: IP address, device ID, advertising ID, and other unique identifiers
  • Device information: Browser type, operating system, device type, and hardware information
  • Internet activity: Browsing history, search history, interactions with our Services, and other online activity
  • Non-precise geolocation data: General location information derived from your IP address
  • Inferences: Preferences, characteristics, and behaviors drawn from the above information

2.3 Information We Collect from Third Parties

We may collect information about you from third parties, including:

  • Social media platforms when you interact with us through social media
  • Service providers who assist us in operating our Services
  • Publicly available sources

2.4 Information From Travel Journal Contributors

When you submit travel stories, journals, or content to Portar/Layover Stories through our Platform submission form, we collect:

  • Contact Information: Your name and email address provided during submission
  • Submitted Content: Your written travel journals, stories, and narratives
  • Images: Photographs and images you upload through the submission form (minimum 2 required, maximum 3 accepted)
  • Technical Data: Submission timestamp, IP address, and device information
  • Communication Records: Correspondence between you and our team regarding your submission

2.4.1 How We Use Contributor Information:

We use this information to:

  • Review and publish your submitted travel content on layoverstories.com and portar.co
  • Communicate with you about your submission status and any editorial questions
  • Provide attribution when publishing your content
  • Maintain records of submissions and publication history
  • Promote published content through our marketing channels and social media

2.4.2 Legal Basis for Processing:

We process contributor information based on:

  • Your consent when you submit content and agree to our Content Submission Terms
  • Our legitimate business interests in operating the Layover Stories platform and promoting travel content
  • Performance of the implied contract created when you submit content for publication consideration

2.4.3 Retention of Contributor Information:

We process contributor information based on:

  • Submission records and contact information are retained for the duration of publication plus 7 years for legal compliance purposes
  • Published content and associated attribution remain on our Platform unless you request removal and we approve such request
  • Uploaded images are stored securely and retained as part of your submission record
  • Email correspondence is retained in accordance with our standard business records retention policies

For complete details about how your submitted content is used and licensed, please review our Content Submission Terms at Content Submission Terms.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We use the Personal Information we collect for the following business and commercial purposes:

  • To provide our Services: Process transactions, fulfill orders, manage accounts, and provide customer support
  • To communicate with you: Send you updates about our products and services, respond to inquiries, and send booking reminders and notifications
  • To improve our Services: Analyze usage patterns, conduct research, and develop new features
  • For marketing and advertising: Send promotional communications, personalize content, and deliver targeted advertising
  • For security and fraud prevention: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats
  • To comply with legal obligations: Meet legal requirements, respond to legal process, and enforce our agreements
  • For business operations: Manage our business, conduct analytics, and make business decisions

4. SMS/TEXT MESSAGE COMMUNICATIONS

By providing your phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you agree to the following terms:

SMS Consent and Terms

Your online consent method will only be approved if you include all of the following:

  • SMS Opt-in: I would like to receive updates by text
  • SMS Purpose: We'll be sending you booking reminders
  • Business Name: From Portar, Inc.
  • Data Rates: Message and data rates may apply
  • Text Frequency: Message frequency varies
  • How to Get Help: Text HELP for help
  • Opt-out Method: You can opt out at any time by replying "STOP"

Important: SMS data won't be shared with anyone except our texting service provider.

You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying "STOP" to any message. You may also opt out by contacting us at the information provided in the Contact Us section below. After you opt out, you may receive a confirmation message confirming your opt-out request.

5. HOW WE DISCLOSE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We do not sell your personal information as that term is traditionally understood. We may disclose your Personal Information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with service providers who assist us in operating our Services, including:

  • Payment processors
  • Shipping and fulfillment providers
  • Our texting service provider (as required for SMS communications)
  • Analytics providers
  • Marketing and advertising partners
  • Cloud storage and hosting providers

SMS Data: SMS data won't be shared with anyone except our texting service provider.

5.2 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your Personal Information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, to protect our rights, or to comply with legal process.

5.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information with your consent or at your direction.

6. YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES

6.1 Access, Correction, and Deletion

You may request to access, correct, or delete your Personal Information by contacting us at the information provided in the Contact Us section below.

6.2 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us. You can opt out of SMS messages by replying "STOP" to any message.

6.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

You may manage cookies through your browser settings. You can opt out of targeted advertising through industry tools such as the Digital Advertising Alliance (https://www.aboutads.info/choices), Network Advertising Initiative (https://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/), and Google Analytics (https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout). We are not responsible for the effectiveness of any third party opt-out tools.

Note: The specific rights available to you and the procedures for exercising them may vary based on your state of residence and applicable law. Some rights may be subject to exceptions or limitations as provided by law.

6.4 Content Contributor Rights

If you have submitted travel content to Layover Stories, you may request access to your submission records or deletion of your personal information by contacting us at [email protected]. Please note that:

  • Removal of published content is subject to our approval and editorial discretion
  • We may retain published content that has been integrated into promotional materials or archived collections
  • Even if content is unpublished, we may retain submission records for legal compliance purposes
  • Deletion requests do not affect the license you granted for content that remains published

7. SECURITY

We take reasonable steps to help ensure that your Personal Information is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including encryption, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any Personal Information you provide to us.

8. RETENTION

We retain the Personal Information we receive as described in this Privacy Policy for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purpose(s) for which it was collected, provide our products and services, resolve disputes, establish legal defenses, conduct audits, pursue legitimate business purposes, enforce our agreements, and comply with applicable laws. Specific retention periods vary based on the type of data and applicable legal requirements. For example, transaction records are typically retained for 7 years for tax and accounting purposes, while marketing preferences are retained until you opt-out or request deletion.

9. DATA BREACH NOTIFICATION

In the event of a data breach affecting your Personal Information, we will notify you and relevant regulatory authorities as required by applicable law. Our notification will include information about the breach, affected data categories, likely consequences, and steps we are taking to address the incident.

10. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under the age of 16, and no part of the Services is directed to children under the age of 16. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected Personal Information from a child under 16, we will promptly delete such information and terminate the child's account.

11. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may revise this Privacy Policy in our sole discretion, so review it periodically. We will post any changes to this Privacy Policy on this web page, and the revised version will be effective immediately when it is posted. If the changes to this Privacy Policy are material, we may provide additional notice to you, such as by email or prominent notice on the Service. We will maintain an archive of previous privacy policies for your reference upon request.

12. CONTACT US

If you have any questions about or trouble accessing this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

To exercise choice, use the methods described in the Your Privacy Choices section above.

13. CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS

If you are a California resident, you have additional privacy rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). This section provides additional disclosures for California residents.

13.1 Notice at Collection

At or before the time of collection of your personal information, you have a right to receive notice of our data practices. The categories of personal information we collect, the purposes for which we use it, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it are described in the sections above.

13.2 Your California Privacy Rights

California residents have the right to:

  • Know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
  • Delete personal information
  • Opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information
  • Non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights
  • Correct inaccurate personal information
  • Limit use and disclosure of sensitive personal information

We do not sell your personal information as that term is traditionally understood. However, some of our disclosures of personal information may be considered a "sale" or "share" as those terms are defined under the CPRA. We do not knowingly sell or share SMS opt-in data or consent status. We do not knowingly sell or share personal information about consumers under the age of 16.

To exercise your California privacy rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Us section above.

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