Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Last updated: July 31, 2025

Welcome to nears.me. This Privacy Policy explains how nears.me ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and discloses information about you when you access or use our websites and services (collectively, the "Services"). This policy applies to all websites within the nears.me network.

Our Philosophy: Our core mission is to build the world's most trusted network of local directories. We are committed to respecting your privacy, which is why our services are designed from the ground up to be fast, private, and to collect only the minimal amount of data necessary to operate.

2. Information We Collect

We are transparent about the information we collect, which falls into the following categories:

a. Information You Provide to Us

  • For Business Owners/Partners: When you join our network or claim a listing through our `join.html` page or contact forms, we collect information such as your name, business name, and email address. All payment transactions are processed securely by our third-party payment processor, Gumroad. We do not collect or store your payment card details.
  • For General Users: You can browse our directories without providing any personal information. If you choose to contact us via email, we will collect your email address and any other information you provide in your message to respond to your inquiry.

b. Information We Collect Automatically (Technical Data)

  • Log Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically record information when you use our Services. This log data may include your IP address, browser type and settings, the date and time of your request, and pages visited. We use this data for security, analytics, and to ensure our services are operating correctly.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide and improve our Services. We will ask for your consent before placing non-essential cookies. The types of cookies we use are:
    • Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the core functionality of our site, such as remembering your cookie consent choice. They do not store any personally identifiable information.
    • Performance & Analytics Cookies (If/When Activated): We may use services like Google Analytics to help us understand site traffic and user behavior. This information is aggregated and anonymized where possible and helps us improve our Services for everyone.
    • Marketing & Advertising Cookies (If/When Activated): We may use tools like the Facebook Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and to help us reach potential business partners who may be interested in joining our network.

c. Information from Third Parties

As mentioned, we use Gumroad to process payments for our Partnership plans. We receive confirmation of your payment from Gumroad, but we do not receive or store your sensitive financial information, such as credit card numbers.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To provide, operate, and maintain our Services.
  • To process transactions and set up accounts for our business partners.
  • To communicate with you, including responding to your comments, questions, and requests.
  • To monitor and analyze trends, usage, and activities in connection with our Services to improve them.
  • For security, and to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions and other illegal activities.
  • For marketing and advertising purposes, but only with your consent where required by applicable law.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We are not in the business of selling data. We only share your information in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors and service providers who need access to your information to carry out work on our behalf, such as payment processors (Gumroad) and cloud hosting providers (e.g., Cloudflare).
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if we believe that disclosure is in accordance with, or required by, any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
  • Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company.

5. Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR/CCPA)

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

  • The right to Access: You have the right to request copies of your personal data.
  • The right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate or complete information you believe is incomplete.
  • The right to Erasure: You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to Restrict Processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to Data Portability: You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.
  • The right to Object to Processing: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

6. International Data Transfers

nears.me is a global service. Your information may be transferred to, and processed in, countries other than the country in which you are resident. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from the laws of your country. We take all necessary measures to ensure your data is protected according to the standards of this policy, regardless of where it is processed.

7. Data Security & Retention

We take reasonable measures to help protect your information from loss, theft, misuse, and unauthorized access. All data transmitted to and from our Services is encrypted using HTTPS/SSL. We retain your data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13 (or 16 in the European Union), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.

9. Links to Other Websites

Our Services contain links to other websites that are not operated by us (i.e., the business listings themselves). If you click a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

11. How to Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: [email protected].