Liftmate Privacy Policy

Effective: July 12, 2026　｜　Last revised: August 29, 2026　｜　日本語

This English text is a reference translation. The Japanese version of this Policy is the authoritative text. If there is any discrepancy between the two, the Japanese version prevails. Note also that the Liftmate app interface is currently available in Japanese only.

The Liftmate Office (operator: Wataru Taniguchi, the "Operator") establishes this Privacy Policy (the "Policy") regarding the handling of information about users (each a "User") of "Liftmate" (the "Service", including the iOS app and the web version), a community app for skiers and snowboarders.

1. Information We Collect

In providing the Service, the Operator collects the following information.

Information registered or entered by the User

Account information (an identifier used for sign-in; where Sign in with Apple is used, the identifying information provided by Apple)
Phone number (used for SMS-based identity verification and for signing in on the web version; collected to verify the number with the authentication provider. One phone number is tied to one account)
Profile information (nickname, user ID, age, gender, area of residence (prefecture), home resort, riding style, self-introduction, profile image, vehicle information, and the like)
Posted content (carpool listings, photo and video posts, comments, stories, and the like)
Messages between Users (direct messages and group chats)
Report submissions

Information collected automatically

Device information (model, OS version, and the like)
Log information (date and time of use, operation logs, IP address, and the like)
Device tokens for push notifications (when notification features are used)
Location information (latitude and longitude of the current location). Collected with the User's permission, and only where the User uses either the feature that shares current location and estimated arrival time with a confirmed carpool partner during pickup, or the approximate-distance display enabled by turning on "share location" in the profile. Both are optional. The approximate-distance feature collects location only while the app is in use. For pickup location sharing, from the time the driving User starts sharing until the carpool is completed, the app continues to collect and transmit location even while it is not in the foreground (for example, while a navigation app is in use); during this period the OS displays a persistent on-screen indicator that location is being used.

Location information (current location) is collected only when the features above are used, and is not collected in any other situation. Current-location sharing takes place only from departure until the carpool is completed, and is shared only with the partner confirmed for that carpool. Where "share location" is turned on, only an approximate position rounded to roughly 5 km is stored, and it is used solely to display approximate distance (in 5 km units) between Users who have likewise turned the setting on. Precise current location and street addresses are never displayed to other Users, and stored location information is deleted when the setting is turned off. Area of residence is information the User chooses to register.

2. Purposes of Use

Providing and operating the Service (carpool matching, finding companions, messaging, and the like)
Ensuring safety among Users (identity verification, responding to reports, investigating and preventing prohibited conduct, and detecting misuse, impersonation, and multiple accounts)
Responding to inquiries
Sending notifications (message receipts, join requests, and similar alerts)
Improving the Service and developing new features
Responding to conduct that violates the Terms of Service
Responding to requirements under applicable law

The Service places importance on maintaining a trustworthy community, and collected information may be used to investigate and prevent conduct that troubles or endangers others and serious breaches of etiquette, and to decide on measures such as suspension or deletion of an account (forced withdrawal). Details of such measures are set out in Article 6 of the Terms of Service.

3. Handling of Messages (Regard for the Secrecy of Communications)

The Operator does not read the contents of messages between Users in the ordinary course.
The Operator may review message contents, to the minimum extent necessary to achieve the purpose, only in the following cases:
- Where a report has been received and it is necessary to investigate whether the Terms of Service have been violated
- Where disclosure is requested under applicable law
- Where automated detection flags a suspected violation

4. Provision to Third Parties

The Operator does not provide Users' personal information to third parties except in the following cases:

Where the User has consented
Where required under applicable law
Where necessary to protect a person's life, body, or property and obtaining consent is difficult

Profile information and posts that are made public to other Users can be viewed by other Users as a function of the Service. Items with visibility settings follow those settings. A limited subset of profile information (name, user ID, profile image, riding style, level, home resort, and average rating) is also shown as a web page to anyone who opens a shared profile link, even without the app installed (users whose visibility is set to followers-only are not shown; the pages are configured not to be indexed by search engines). Shared carpool-listing links likewise display the resort, date and time, listing type, departure area, cost, remaining seats, and the poster's basic information (name, image, and average rating) as a web page; the exact meeting point is not shown.

5. Use of External Services (Outsourcing)

The Service uses the following external services for data storage, authentication, and related functions. Collected information is stored on the servers of these services (a Japan region has been selected).

Google Firebase (Google LLC): authentication, database, and notification infrastructure
Firebase privacy information: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

6. Security Measures

The Operator takes reasonable security measures — including encryption of communications and access control (restrictions enforced by database security rules) — to prevent unauthorized access to, loss of, and leakage of collected information.

7. Retention and Deletion

Collected information is retained for the period necessary to achieve the purposes of use.
Where a User deletes their account, personal information is deleted within a reasonable period, except for information that must be retained under applicable law.
Records relating to reports may be retained for a certain period after the report has been handled, for the purpose of ensuring safety.

8. Requests for Disclosure, Correction, and Suspension of Use

Users may request disclosure, correction, or suspension of use of their own personal information held by the Operator. Please contact us at the address below. We will verify identity and respond in accordance with applicable law.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is intended for persons 18 years of age or older, and use by persons under 18 is not contemplated.

10. Changes to This Policy

This Policy may be revised in response to changes in law or in the content of the Service. Where a material change is made, it will be announced by appropriate means, such as an in-app notice.

11. Contact

Liftmate Office (Operator: Wataru Taniguchi)
Email: liftmate2026@gmail.com