Privacy Policy

1) Who we are

JWguest (“JWguest,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates a platform and community marketplace that enables members to create, list, discover, and book accommodations worldwide via our website and mobile applications (the “Platform”).

Controller:
JWguest.com
Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
[email protected]  | T +1 (845) 415-6909

This Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you use the Platform.

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service.

2) Scope & key definitions

Where a term is not defined here (e.g., “Listing,” “Accommodation,” “Content,” “Services”), it has the meaning in our Terms of Service.

• Personal Data: information that identifies or can identify you.

• Sensitive Data / Special Categories: data revealing religious beliefs, health, etc., under GDPR Art. 9 and Swiss LPD (e.g., congregation affiliation).

• Non-Personal Data: aggregated or anonymized data that does not identify you.

3) What we collect

We collect and store information you provide when you create an account, browse the Platform, send messages, make/receive booking requests, host, or contact support.

3.1 Personal Data you provide

• Identity & contact: first and last name, email, phone, country/region/postal code, date of birth, username, encrypted password, optional profile description.

• Payments & payouts: billing information (processed by our payment partners), bank/payout details (for Hosts).

• Trust & community (Sensitive Data – only with explicit consent): congregation name; spiritual status (e.g., Brother, Sister, Publisher, Interested); baptism year/date (optional). See §6.

• Travel & stay preferences (optional): travel dates, accessibility needs, meal/allergy notes, accommodation preferences.

• Guest/Companion info: if you book for someone else, you may provide their data (you must have authority/consent to do so).

3.2 Data collected automatically

• Log/Device data: IP address, device IDs, browser type, OS, ISP, referring/exit pages, timestamps, clickstream, approximate location if enabled.

• Cookies & similar tech: see §11.

• Location data (optional): if you enable device location services. You can disable this in your device/app settings.

3.3 From third parties (where you choose to connect)

• If you sign in with or link an account (e.g., Google), we receive basic account data per the provider’s settings.

• If you import contacts to send referrals or request references, we use that data only to send the messages and for fraud prevention.

4) Do you have to provide data?

You may choose not to provide certain information. However, some data is necessary to create an account, make/receive bookings, receive payouts, post reviews, or contact support. Sensitive Data (§6) is always optional and collected only with your explicit consent.

5) How we use your data (purposes & legal bases)

We process Personal Data only where a legal basis applies (GDPR Art. 6; Swiss LPD) and, for Sensitive Data, only with explicit consent (GDPR Art. 9(2)(a)).

Swiss LPD/FADP: When we rely on legitimate interests, we balance those against your interests and rights. When consent is required (e.g., Sensitive Data, certain e-marketing), we obtain it clearly and allow withdrawal at any time.

6) Special Categories of Data

Because JWguest serves a community of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you may optionally provide information that reveals your religious affiliation (e.g., congregation; spiritual status; baptism year/date). We will process this only with your explicit consent (GDPR Art. 9(2)(a)) and only to support trust and safety between Hosts and Guests.

• Not public: never displayed on public profiles.

• Limited sharing: shown only to the Host(s) connected to your active booking request(s) and a limited number of authorized JWguest staff.

• No sale or advertising use.

• Withdraw anytime: withdrawing consent may limit access to certain trust-based features.

7) Sharing your data

We share Personal Data only as needed for the purposes above:

• With Hosts/Guests to fulfill a booking or respond to a request.

• Service providers (e.g., hosting, payments, KYC/anti-fraud, email/SMS, analytics, customer support) under contracts requiring confidentiality and data protection.

• Group companies (if applicable) for internal administration consistent with this Policy.

• Legal & safety: to comply with law or protect rights, property, health, or safety.

• Business transactions: in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, with appropriate safeguards and notice.

We do not sell Personal Data.

8) International transfers

We store data on servers located in Europe. Where data is transferred outside Switzerland/EEA (e.g., to service providers), we use appropriate safeguards such as EU Standard Contractual Clauses, Swiss Addenda, and/or rely on providers certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework where applicable.

9) Retention

We retain Personal Data only as long as necessary for the purposes collected, to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax/accounting), and to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims. When no longer needed, data is deleted or irreversibly anonymized.

10) Your rights (GDPR & Swiss LPD)

Subject to conditions and exemptions, you may:

• Access your Personal Data;

• Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data;

• Erase data (“right to be forgotten”);

• Restrict processing;

• Object to processing based on legitimate interests or to direct marketing;

• Data portability (structured, commonly used, machine-readable format);

• Withdraw consent at any time (does not affect prior lawful processing).

You can exercise these rights via Account Settings or by contacting [email protected].
You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority (e.g., FDPIC in Switzerland or your EU/EEA authority).

11) Cookies & similar technologies

We use cookies, SDKs, and pixels to operate the Platform, remember preferences, keep accounts secure, and (where permitted) measure usage. You can manage cookies in your browser/device settings; essential cookies are required for core functionality. See our Cookie Notice for details (if published).

12) Communications

We send:

• Transactional emails/SMS (e.g., booking updates, security alerts) – you cannot opt out of strictly necessary messages.

• Marketing communications (e.g., newsletters) – sent with consent or as permitted by law; you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in each message or via Account Settings.

13) Children

The Platform is not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 18.

14) Security

We apply administrative, technical, and organizational measures appropriate to the risk (e.g., encryption in transit, access controls, logging, segregation of duties). No Internet transmission is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

15) Profiling & automated decisions

We do not perform automated decision-making producing legal or similarly significant effects without human involvement. Basic ranking, anti-fraud scoring, and abuse prevention may occur to protect the Platform.

16) Referrals & references

You can invite contacts or request references. If you use our referral tools, we process contact details only to send the invitation/reference request and for fraud prevention. If you import contacts, the credentials used for one-time import are not stored.

17) Third-party links

The Platform may contain links to third-party sites/services. Their privacy practices govern their handling of your data.

18) Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be notified on the Platform and/or by email with the effective date. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

19) Contact us

JWguest.com
Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
[email protected]  | T +1 (845) 415-6909