Privacy Policy
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Privacy Policy
Bato (“Bato,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the Bato mobile application and website (together, the “Service”). Bato is a local business directory app built for the Iranian and Farsi speaking community across the United States and Canada. The Bato website introduces our company, shares stories and blog content about businesses in our community, and helps visitors connect with the Bato app.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you use the Service, whether you are browsing the website, downloading the app, or using the app to search for and list businesses.
1. Introduction
We built Bato to help the Iranian and Farsi speaking community find, and be found by, trusted local businesses through our mobile app. Our website exists to introduce Bato, share stories about businesses in our community, and help visitors get started with the app. Protecting your privacy is central to that mission. We only collect the information needed to make Bato work well, and we never sell your personal data.
By using the Bato app or website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the Service.
2. Information We Collect
We collect different types of information depending on how you use Bato, whether you are browsing our website, submitting a business for consideration, or using the app to search and list.
Information You Provide Directly
- Contact information, such as your name, email address, and phone number, when you fill out a form on our website, including our contact form or business submission form.
- Business details, if you submit your business through our website to be featured on our blog or considered for a listing in the Bato app, including business name, category, city, and description.
- Account information, such as your name, email address, and phone number, if you create an account in the Bato app.
- Business listing details, if you list a business in the app, including business name, category, address, phone number, website, and description.
- Messages you send us through the contact form, in app chat, or email support.
Information Collected Automatically
- Device information, such as device type, operating system, and unique device identifiers, when you use the app.
- Website usage data, such as the pages you visit and the blog content you read, used to improve our website and content.
- App usage data, such as the searches you perform and categories you browse in the app, used to improve app functionality.
- Approximate or precise location data, collected only in the app and only with your permission, as described in Section 3 below.
3. Location & Search Data
Searching and finding Iranian and Farsi speaking businesses near you happens inside the Bato app, so location data plays an important role there.
- If you grant permission, the Bato app uses your device’s GPS location to show businesses sorted by distance from you and to calculate directions.
- If you do not grant location permission, you can still search within the app by manually selecting a city, with no loss of core functionality.
- You can turn location permissions on or off at any time through your device’s settings.
The Bato website does not request or use your location. Location data is only collected within the app.
We use location data only to show you relevant nearby businesses within the app. We do not track or store your precise location history over time.
4. Business Listing Data
If you create a business listing in the Bato app, certain information you submit is intended to be displayed publicly within the app so that customers can find and contact your business.
Field | Visibility |
Business name, category, city | Public, shown in app search results |
Phone number, address, website | Public, shown on app listing page |
Owner’s account email | Private, used for account access only |
If you submit your business through the website for consideration as a featured blog story or a future app listing, that information is reviewed by our team and is not published automatically or displayed publicly on the website.
Business owners are responsible for the accuracy of the information they submit. You can request edits or removal of your listing at any time by contacting business@batoapp.com
5. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Bato app and website.
- Show you relevant, nearby Iranian and Farsi speaking business listings within the app.
- Publish and manage business listings submitted by business owners in the app.
- Review business submissions made through the website and follow up about blog features or app listings.
- Respond to your questions, support requests, and feedback.
- Monitor and analyze usage trends to decide which cities, categories, and features to build next.
- Detects, prevents, and addresses fraud, spam, or fake listings.
6. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information to advertisers or data brokers. We only share information in the following limited circumstances:
- Publicly, for business listing details within the app that are intended to be visible to people searching on Bato, as described in Section 4.
- With service providers who help us operate the Service, such as cloud hosting and analytics providers, under confidentiality obligations.
- If required by law, such as in response to a valid legal request from a government or law enforcement authority.
- In connection with a business transaction, such as a merger or acquisition, where user information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
7. Data Storage & Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect the information we collect from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access. This includes encrypted data transmission and restricted access to user data within our team.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
We retain account and listing information for as long as your account or listing remains active, or as needed to comply with our legal obligations.
8. Your Choices & Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information, including business listing details.
- Request deletion of your account, listing, or personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
- Withdraw consent for location access at any time through your device’s settings.
- Opt out of non essential communications, such as marketing emails, at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@batoapp.com We will respond to verified requests within a reasonable timeframe.
9. Children's Privacy
Bato is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.
10. International Users
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. If we make material changes, we will notify users through the app or website before the changes take effect.
We encourage you to review this page periodically. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was last revised.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please reach out:
- Privacy questions: privacy@batoapp.com
- General support: support@batoapp.com
- Or use the form on our Contact Us page