Privacy Policy
Effective: July 30, 2026 · Operator: ChargeNest (Canada)
This Privacy Policy explains how ChargeNest collects, uses, discloses, and retains personal information when you use our website, mobile apps (iOS/Android), CarPlay/Android Auto experiences, and related services (the “Services”). By using the Services you agree to this Policy.
1. Information we collect
- Account: name, email, phone (if provided), role (host/driver), password or Sign in with Apple / Google identifiers, profile photo.
- Location: precise GPS while you use map, navigation, geofence session-start, and listing features (when you grant permission). We do not require continuous background location tracking for core use.
- Listings & UGC: charger address/coordinates, photos, descriptions, schedules, pricing, reviews and ratings.
- Vehicles: make/model/year and related vehicle details you enter.
- Payments: wallet balances (PayPal top-ups for charging spend and ChargeNest hardware, and host earnings); PayPal order identifiers; payment method tokens processed by PayPal (including Apple Pay or Google Pay where offered); Canadian bank account details you submit for host earnings withdrawals (institution/transit/account). Topped-up funds are not bank-withdrawable. ChargeNest is not a bank. We do not store full payment card PANs.
- Billing inputs: vehicle battery capacity you enter, charger power and rates, session duration/energy telemetry, and related fee calculations used to estimate wallet holds and final invoices (including flat hourly one-hour minimums where applicable).
- Device & notifications: push tokens (FCM/APNs), device identifiers for session security, app platform, IP address and user-agent for legal acceptance and security.
- Energy / IoT: power-meter telemetry linked to chargers and sessions for billing.
- Support: messages you send to support or report/block submissions.
2. How we use information
- Operate the peer-to-peer EV charging marketplace (discovery, reservations, sessions, invoices).
- Process payments for real-world charging and hardware (power meters) via PayPal; process host withdrawals.
- Estimate and enforce minimum wallet balances required to start a session or reservation, and settle final session invoices (including disclosed minimums such as a one-hour flat hourly charge).
- Provide maps, geofencing, and safety/moderation (including report and block).
- Send transactional notifications you enable (reservations, sessions, wallet, device status).
- Comply with law, prevent fraud/abuse, and improve reliability and support.
3. Sharing with third parties
We share data only as needed to run the Services, including:
- PayPal — wallet top-ups and hardware checkout (including Apple Pay and Google Pay when PayPal offers them).
- Google — Maps/Places, Sign-In, Firebase Cloud Messaging (where used).
- Apple — Sign in with Apple, push notifications, Maps/CarPlay where used.
- Map / open data providers — public charger overlays (e.g. Open Charge Map, NREL/AFDC) as configured.
- Service providers who host or operate our infrastructure under contractual confidentiality.
We do not sell personal information. We do not use advertising SDKs for cross-app tracking.
4. Retention
We retain account and operational data while your account is active. After account deletion we anonymize personal identifiers and may retain financial transaction records as needed for disputes, tax, and legal obligations. Push tokens and active sessions are removed on deletion.
5. Your choices
- Access and update profile data in the app.
- Control notification preferences in the app.
- Deny or revoke location, camera, and photo permissions in system settings (some features will be limited).
- Delete your account in the app (Edit profile → Delete account). Confirm by typing delete my account, then re-authenticate with your password or Sign in with Apple/Google. You must end any active charging session and clear any pending withdrawal first. Any leftover wallet balance is forfeited (not paid out to your bank); purchased top-ups are never withdrawable. After deletion we anonymize personal identifiers as described above.
- Request privacy help at privacy@chargenest.ca.
6. Security
We use industry-standard safeguards (TLS in transit, access controls, least-privilege operations). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
7. Children
The Services are intended for users 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
8. Canadian privacy
We handle personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy law (including PIPEDA) for our Canada-focused marketplace. Contact us with questions or complaints; you may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
9. Contact
Privacy: privacy@chargenest.ca
Support: support@chargenest.ca
Legal: legal@chargenest.ca