Privacy Policy
Last Updated: 30 March 2026
1. Introduction
The Pet-First Company (“TPFC”, “we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (“PDPL”) and applicable federal and emirate-level regulations.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your personal information when you use the TPFC Platform.
2. Data Controller
The data controller responsible for your personal information is The Pet-First Company, operating in the UAE. For privacy-related inquiries, contact us at: legal@thepet1stcompany.com.
3. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
When creating an account or using our services we may collect:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number (including WhatsApp)
- Profile photo
- Emirates ID number (for identity verification, where required)
- Address or service location
- Pet information (breed, medical notes, behavioral history)
- Bank account details for sitter payouts (processed securely; not stored on our servers in full)
- Payment details (processed by third-party providers; see Section 6)
Information Automatically Collected
When using the Platform we may collect:
- Device information and browser type
- IP address and approximate location
- Behavioral Analytics: Interactions with platform decision tools, search patterns, and choice attribution data (e.g., selection of “Best Value” quotes) to improve matching accuracy and service quality.
- Precise location data (only if explicitly enabled by you, or automatically collected from service providers during GPS-Verified Check-ins to protect user safety and service integrity)
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see our Cookie Policy)
Verification, Safety & FinOps Data
To increase trust and facilitate secure payouts, we may collect or process:
- Identity documents
- Sitter Excellence Quiz results
- Booking and quote records, plus payment or payout transaction records when those features are enabled
- Safety & Privacy Measures: We may use automated controls to identify sensitive contact information shared through platform communication tools. Private contact details are not placed on public sitter profiles, and access may be restricted according to the booking relationship and platform state.
- Reliability Metrics: We collect and process data on cancellation history, response times, and platform performance (including Strikes and Reliability Scores) to maintain marketplace safety.
- Service Logistics: Where enabled and permitted, the Platform may process location information, timestamps and uploaded service photos to create booking records and support operational review.
- Job completion records and dispute submissions
4. How We Use Your Information
TPFC uses your information to:
- Create and manage user accounts
- Facilitate job postings, bidding, and bookings between Owners and Sitters
- Prepare and, when enabled, operate online payment, payout and transaction-record features
- Process payments, payouts and applicable fees when those features are enabled
- Send job alerts, platform notifications, and WhatsApp updates (with your consent)
- Provide customer support and resolve disputes
- Improve platform functionality and personalize your experience
- Detect fraud or abuse and enforce our Terms of Service
- Comply with applicable UAE legal obligations
We process your data on the legal bases of: performance of a contract, compliance with a legal obligation, legitimate interests, and (where applicable) your explicit consent.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to provide our services, resolve disputes, enforce our Terms of Service, and comply with applicable UAE legal obligations. Financial transaction records may be retained for a minimum of 5 years in accordance with UAE accounting and commercial law requirements.
6. Payment Information
Online payments, escrow and platform payouts are not active during the pilot; owners and sitters arrange settlement directly after service. If third-party payment processing is enabled later, the applicable provider and terms will be published before payment data is collected through that feature. TPFC does not store full card numbers on its servers.
7. Sharing of Information
Service Providers
We may share limited data with trusted third parties who assist us in operating the Platform, including payment processors, cloud hosting providers (Firebase/Google Cloud), customer support tools, and AI/analytics services.
Other Users
Certain information is visible to other platform users, including your profile name, profile photo, reviews, service area, and (for Sitters) verification badge status. Pet information relevant to a specific booking may be shared with the awarded Sitter.
Legal Authorities
We may disclose personal information if required by UAE law, court order, or request from a competent UAE authority. We will notify you of such requests where legally permitted to do so.
Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to the successor entity, subject to the same privacy protections.
8. International Data Transfers
Our Platform infrastructure may involve the transfer of data outside the UAE (e.g., to Google Cloud servers). Where such transfers occur, we ensure equivalent levels of protection are applied in accordance with the UAE PDPL and applicable adequacy frameworks.
9. Your Rights Under UAE Law
In accordance with the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021, you have the right to:
- Access your personal data held by TPFC
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Account Deactivation: Where self-service deactivation is available, your public profile may be hidden while records required for account operation, security, legal obligations or dispute handling are retained as applicable.
- Account Deletion: You may request deletion of your account. Deletion is subject to identity verification and any retention required for security, legal obligations, dispute handling or other lawful purposes described in this Policy.
- Object to certain processing activities
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a complaint with the UAE Data Office
To exercise these rights, submit a request to: legal@thepet1stcompany.com or use the self-serve tools in your Profile Dashboard. We will respond to manual requests within 30 days.
10. Data Security
TPFC uses security controls including role-based access restrictions, restricted handling of private records, and cloud infrastructure provided through Firebase and Google Cloud. Data transmitted over supported web services uses the security mechanisms provided by those services. No system is completely secure, and TPFC does not guarantee absolute security.
11. Children’s Privacy
The Platform is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that a minor has provided personal data, we will delete it promptly.
12. Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies on the Platform. Please review our Cookie Policy for details on the types of cookies used and how to manage your preferences.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
TPFC may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will notify users of material changes via email or platform notification. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact
For privacy and data protection inquiries:
For general support: