Versently Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 15, 2025
I. Introduction
Versently operates as an aggregator platform that connects lifestyle guides with travelers seeking authentic experiences. Versently does not provide tours, experiences, or activities directly. Instead, we facilitate connections between independent guides and travelers looking for unique experiences. To make this possible, we collect and use certain personal information about you, whether you are:
- a traveler booking tours through our platform
- a lifestyle guide offering services
- a visitor browsing our application or website
- someone contacting us for support
This Privacy Policy explains how we gather, use, and share your information, and the choices you have regarding your data. We update this Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements, such as UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45/2021 (PDPL). For material changes, we will notify you via email or a website or application notice.
II. Our Principles
Trust is the foundation of Versently. We want everyone using our platform to feel secure about their data. As we grow and refine our services, these core principles guide our privacy practices and help us protect personal information effectively.
2.1 You Control Your Data
You own your personal information. We only collect what's truly needed to run our services, and we prioritize anonymizing or deleting data when it's no longer required. Our teams—from engineers to privacy experts—build safeguards into every feature. Ultimately, we use your data only to enhance your experience on Versently, like matching you with the perfect guide for a sunset walk in Jumeirah.
2.2 Data Protection Is Paramount
Safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of your information is central to how we operate. If a third party requests your data, we won't share it without your permission—unless legally compelled. In those rare cases, we'll inform you beforehand if the law allows.
2.3 Information Ownership
Individuals maintain ownership of their personal information. Before collecting any data, we carefully assess which details are necessary to provide our services and consistently limit collection to what is essential. Whenever possible, we anonymize or securely delete information that is no longer needed. As we develop and improve our platform, our engineers work closely with privacy and security teams to ensure that privacy protections are built into every stage. Our core principle is that your information belongs to you, and our commitment is to use it only in ways that support your experience on Versently.
III. Data Protection Framework
3.1 Supporting Privacy Needs of All Users
Many of the guides or travelers using Versently may not have dedicated privacy resources, and it is important to us to help them understand and manage their personal information responsibly. To support this, we design our platform and services to be privacy-friendly by default. We also provide clear documentation, FAQs, and guidance covering key privacy topics, and we respond to privacy-related questions from anyone using or interacting with Versently.
IV. Information Handling Rationale
4.1 How We Manage and Use Your Data
We manage data to provide a platform for concierge services like bookings and connections. We also use it for legitimate purposes: preventing fraud, support, platform improvements, analytics, testing, and marketing (with consent). We assess risks, limit collection, and obtain consent where required (e.g., sharing)—withdraw anytime via settings. This includes processing bookings and payments, as well as supporting the connection between guides and visitors.
We may also use your information for legitimate business purposes, including:
We may also use your information for legitimate business purposes, including:
- Preventing fraud and other risks
- Responding to inquiries and providing support
- Helping guides manage their services and connect with visitors
- Improving and developing the platform
- Generating reports and analytics
- Testing new features or services
- Supporting marketing and communications
We take privacy seriously and only process information after considering potential risks, implementing safeguards, limiting the data we collect, and giving you control over your information.
Where required, we may process personal information with your consent—for example, for sharing with third parties or for marketing purposes. You can withdraw your consent at any time by updating your preferences, opting out, or contacting us.
Where required, we may process personal information with your consent—for example, for sharing with third parties or for marketing purposes. You can withdraw your consent at any time by updating your preferences, opting out, or contacting us.
4.2 Your Data Rights
At Versently, we believe you should have control over your personal information. Depending on how you use our platform, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct or update your information
- Request deletion of your personal data
- Restrict certain uses of your data
- Object to specific processing activities
We do not charge extra or alter the level of service if you exercise any of these rights. Some rights may only apply in specific situations, and all rights are subject to UAE Federal Data Protection Law and applicable Free Zone regulations.
Since Versently is an aggregator connecting guides and travelers, most interactions and data exchanges happen within the platform. While you retain rights over your personal data, we reserve the right to access chats and communications within the platform for quality control, safety, and compliance purposes.
If you are a guide, traveler, partner, or visitor with a direct relationship with Versently, you can submit your data requests through our privacy contact email: info@versently.com.
We may require documentation to verify your identity and may use trusted service providers to assist in fulfilling your request.
Exercising these rights won't cost extra or affect your service level. Note: As a connector platform, we monitor interactions (e.g., chats) for safety and compliance as follows, but your rights still apply.
Since Versently is an aggregator connecting guides and travelers, most interactions and data exchanges happen within the platform. While you retain rights over your personal data, we reserve the right to access chats and communications within the platform for quality control, safety, and compliance purposes.
If you are a guide, traveler, partner, or visitor with a direct relationship with Versently, you can submit your data requests through our privacy contact email: info@versently.com.
We may require documentation to verify your identity and may use trusted service providers to assist in fulfilling your request.
Exercising these rights won't cost extra or affect your service level. Note: As a connector platform, we monitor interactions (e.g., chats) for safety and compliance as follows, but your rights still apply.
4.2.1 Automated Monitoring
- Keyword Detection: Flagged terms related to safety concerns, harassment, payment circumvention
- Pattern Analysis: Unusual messaging patterns that may indicate fraud or safety issues
- Language Processing: Multilingual detection of inappropriate content
4.2.2 Human Review Triggers
- User reports of harassment or safety concerns
- Automated system flags requiring context evaluation
- Payment-related discussions outside approved channels
- Requests for personal contact information exchange
4.2.3 Review Process
- Timeline: Flagged messages reviewed within 2 hours during business hours
- Scope: Reviewers access only specific flagged conversation threads
- Actions: Warning, temporary suspension, account termination, law enforcement referral
- Appeals: Users can contest actions via info@versently.com within 30 days
4.3 Exercising Your Rights - Step by Step
4.3.1 Access Request
- Request: Email info@versently.com with subject 'Data Access Request'
- Verification: Provide account email and government-issued valid ID or passport
- Response Time: Confirmation within 3 business days, full response within 30 days
- Delivery: Secure registered mail
- Content: Complete data export including account info, bookings, messages, preferences
4.3.2 Right to Deletion
- Delete account and all data
- Delete specific data categories (e.g., location history)
- Delete data older than specific date
4.3.3 Exceptions
- Completed bookings retained for 7 years (financial regulations)
- Safety incident reports retained per legal requirements
- Anonymized analytics data (no longer personally identifiable)
V. Data Sharing and Transfers
5.1 Cross-Border Data Transfer
Versently is a Dubai Free Zone registered company, but we work with lifestyle guides, travelers, and partners from around the world. To operate our platform, we may transfer your personal information outside of the country where you live. This means your data may be processed in countries that may have different data protection rules than your home jurisdiction.
Whenever we transfer personal data across borders, we take steps to ensure it is handled securely and in accordance with applicable data protection laws. These measures may include contractual safeguards, technical protections, and limiting access only to authorized parties.
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom (UK), or Switzerland, your information may be transferred outside of your region, including to the United Arab Emirates and other countries where our service providers operate. In such cases, we rely on appropriate legal mechanisms—such as contractual clauses or other recognized safeguards—to protect your information.
Whenever we transfer personal data across borders, we take steps to ensure it is handled securely and in accordance with applicable data protection laws. These measures may include contractual safeguards, technical protections, and limiting access only to authorized parties.
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom (UK), or Switzerland, your information may be transferred outside of your region, including to the United Arab Emirates and other countries where our service providers operate. In such cases, we rely on appropriate legal mechanisms—such as contractual clauses or other recognized safeguards—to protect your information.
5.2 Regulatory Compliance
5.2.1 [EU/EEA Users (GDPR Compliance)](https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/dealing-with-customers/data-protection/data-protection-gdpr/index_en.htm)
- Legal Basis: We process your data based on contract fulfillment (Art. 6(1)(b)), legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)), or your consent (Art. 6(1)(a))
- Data Transfers: We use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission for transfers to non-adequate countries
- EU Representative: DataRep Services Ltd, 123 Privacy Street, Dublin, Ireland eurep@versently.com
5.2.2 [California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)](https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa)
- Right to Know: Categories of personal information collected, sources, business purposes
- Right to Delete: Request deletion with exceptions for transaction completion and legal compliance
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of sale/sharing via our 'Do Not Sell My Info' link
- Non-Discrimination: We won't deny service or charge different prices for exercising rights
5.3 Information Sharing Specifics
We share data only when needed:
- With matched users (e.g., a lifestyle guide sees your interests post-booking)
- For legal reasons (e.g., court orders—we'll notify you if possible)
5.3.1 For Guides
- Access to tour offers they can respond to
- Tour details include locations, date, and time
- A guide can see a client's profile if:
- the client messages the ifestyle guide first, or
- the client creates a tour
- Client profiles include: photo, name, profile description, and city
5.3.2 For Clients
- Access to a catalog of guides with profiles containing:
- photos
- videos
- interests
- guide description
- city
- A guide's profile may also include a linked Instagram page
5.3.3 Tour Creation and Communication
- When creating a tour, both the client and the guide can see:
- date, time, city, locations
- each other's profiles
- a built-in chat for communication
Communication: All communication takes place exclusively in the in-app chat.
Limitations: Contact information is not shared—interaction is restricted to the app.
Limitations: Contact information is not shared—interaction is restricted to the app.
VI. Third-Party Services
6.1 Payment Processing
- Provider: Stripe, Inc. (exclusive payment processor)
- Data Shared: Payment card details, transaction amounts, billing addresses, customer names
- Location: Primary servers in United States, with EU data residency options for European users
- Security: PCI DSS Level 1 certified, tokenization of card data, 3D Secure authentication
- Data Handling: Versently never stores raw card details—all sensitive payment data handled exclusively by Stripe
- Purpose: Payment processing, subscription management, fraud detection, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance
- Provider: Apple Inc. (via Stripe integration)
- Data Shared: Tokenized payment credentials, transaction amounts, device account numbers
- Location: Apple servers worldwide, payment processing through Stripe
- Security: Device-specific tokens, biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID), no card numbers stored on device or servers
- Data Handling: Apple Pay uses tokenization—actual card details never shared with Versently or stored on your device. Each transaction uses a unique, one-time security code
- Purpose: Secure mobile and web payments
VIII. Information Security
8.1 Protection Methods
We take the protection of your information seriously. Our teams work continuously to safeguard the security and integrity of the Versently platform, including the systems we use to store data and process financial information.
That said, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is ever 100% secure. While we cannot guarantee absolute security, we are committed to applying strong technical and organizational measures to keep your personal information as safe as possible.
That said, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is ever 100% secure. While we cannot guarantee absolute security, we are committed to applying strong technical and organizational measures to keep your personal information as safe as possible.
8.2 Security Measures
We use industry-standard protections including:
- Encryption for data in transit and at rest
- Access controls and authentication systems
- Regular security audits and assessments
- Monitoring for suspicious activities
Report security concerns to info@versently.com.
8.3 Security Incident Response
Notification Timeline
- Hour 1: Internal security team activated
- Hour 4: Risk assessment completed, containment measures implemented
- Hour 24: If high-risk breach confirmed, user notification preparation begins
- Hour 72: Regulatory notifications submitted, user communications sent
Follow-up Communications
- Month 1: Final incident report and long-term improvements
- Month 1: Final incident report and long-term improvements
- Hour 24: If high-risk breach confirmed, user notification preparation begins
- Ongoing: Quarterly security updates for affected users
IX. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and in connection with the services we provide. These technologies help us improve functionality, enhance user experience, and deliver relevant content.
For more details—including the types of cookies we set, the third parties that may place cookies through our services, and how you can manage or opt out of certain cookies—please see our Cookie Policy.
For more details—including the types of cookies we set, the third parties that may place cookies through our services, and how you can manage or opt out of certain cookies—please see our Cookie Policy.
X. Data Collection Details
10.1 Information Categories
Depending on how you use our services, we may collect and share the following categories of information for both travelers and guides:
What We Collect
How We Use It
Profile and Contact Details
Account Management and Personalization
Your name, email, phone number, profile photo, and preferences (e.g., interests in art or gastronomy). For guides, this includes expertise tags, bio, and ID for verification.
• To set up and manage your account• To facilitate matches (e.g., pairing a traveler with a culture-savvy guide)• To communicate about bookings or updates• To personalize recommendations, like suggesting a Michelin-star dinner.
Payment Information
Transaction Processing
Card or bank details for bookings, plus payout info for guides (e.g., earnings from sessions).
• To process transactions securely• To handle guide payouts (e.g., weekly transfers)• To comply with financial regulations
Location and Device Data
Security and Performance
IP address, device type, browser info, and approximate location (with consent for precise GPS during tours).
• To improve app performance and security• To prevent misuse, such as unauthorized access
Usage and Interaction Data
Platform Improvement
Browsing history, search queries, chat logs with our personal assistants and guides, reviews, and booking details.
• To refine the platform (e.g., analyzing popular spots)• For quality control, like reviewing chats for safety• To generate insights without identifying you
Sensitive Data (if provided)
Verification and Accommodation
Things like passport details for verification or health notes for customized tours (only with explicit consent).
• Strictly for necessary verifications or accommodations• Never used for marketing
10.2 Collection Purposes
We collect and use personal data primarily to deliver our core services: processing bookings, facilitating payments, and connecting guides with travelers. For instance, this might involve verifying a guide's credentials or suggesting a personalized itinerary based on your preferences.
We also use data for valid business reasons, such as:
We also use data for valid business reasons, such as:
- Detecting and preventing fraud or risks (e.g., spotting unusual booking patterns)
- Handling support requests and inquiries
- Assisting guides in managing their profiles and connecting with clients
- Enhancing the platform through analytics and improvements
- Creating aggregated reports (without identifying individuals)
- Testing new tools, like an updated matching algorithm
- Managing marketing and communications, tailored to your interests
Privacy is a priority—we assess risks, apply protections, and minimize collection before processing any data. In some cases, like targeted promotions or third-party sharing, we rely on your consent, which you can withdraw anytime via your account settings or by contacting us.For role-specific details, check our supplemental guides for travelers and guides.
10.3 Information Sources
To provide and improve our services, Versently collects personal information from a variety of sources:
(A) You
We collect information you provide directly when using our app or website. This includes when you:
- Sign up as a traveler or lifestyle guide
- Make a booking, purchase a tour, or request concierge services
- Fill in account, payment, or business information
- Interact with our app or website, such as saving favorites, leaving reviews, or communicating with guides or travelers
- Search for or browse experiences, tours, or services
(B) Your Device(s)
We collect information about the devices you use to access Versently, such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. This may include device type, operating system, IP address, and how you navigate our apps or website. We may combine information across multiple devices you use.
XI. User Rights and Verification
11.1 Your Rights Overview
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding the personal information we collect and process through Versently. These may include:
- Right to Access: The right to request information about the personal data we hold about you and how we use it
- Right to Correct: The right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information
- Right to Delete: The right to request deletion of the personal information we have collected about you
- Right to Object: The right to object to certain types of processing, where permitted by law
To exercise any of these rights, please submit a request to contact us directly via our support channels mentioned below.
11.2 Verification Process
To protect your information and the integrity of our services, we may need to verify your identity before processing your request. This could include requesting additional information, such as your email address or a government-issued valid ID/passport.
11.3 No Retaliation Policy
Versently will not discriminate against or penalize you for exercising any of your rights.
XII. Contact Information
12.1 General Inquiries
If you have questions, requests, or complaints about how we process your personal information, please contact Versently Support via the following channels:
- Email: info@versently.com (for general inquiries or privacy-related questions)
- Telegram: @versently_concierge (for urgent matters or additional assistance)
- Mail: Versently Concierge Services L.L.C
Attn: Privacy Officer
ABRAJ CENTER, office 404-85, Naif, Dubai, UAE
12.2 Legal Requests
Versently currently does not hold specific internal guidelines dedicated exclusively to legal requests such as subpoenas or court orders related to personal data. Instead, our approach to handling all legal requests is governed by the general rules and regulations applicable within the UAE free zones where we operate.
These UAE free zone laws provide a regulatory framework for data protection, privacy, and lawful disclosure, requiring that all requests for personal data comply with the applicable legal standards and processes established by UAE authorities.
If you wish to make a legally binding request to obtain personal information, please note the following:
These UAE free zone laws provide a regulatory framework for data protection, privacy, and lawful disclosure, requiring that all requests for personal data comply with the applicable legal standards and processes established by UAE authorities.
If you wish to make a legally binding request to obtain personal information, please note the following:
- All requests must include valid legal authority (warrant, subpoena, court order)
- We evaluate each request for legal sufficiency and scope
- Response timeline: 30 days for standard requests, 7 days for emergency situations
- User notification: 14 days advance notice unless legally prohibited
Process Steps
- Legal team reviews request validity and scope
- Technical team identifies relevant data within specified parameters
- Legal counsel determines disclosure obligations vs. user privacy rights
- Minimal necessary data disclosed with detailed logging
For additional questions, you may contact Versently's designated privacy officer or legal department at info@versently.com.
By adhering to the general UAE Free Zone legal protocols governing data privacy and disclosures within free zones, Versently ensures a compliant and responsible approach to legal requests, balancing the rights and privacy of data subjects with regulatory obligations.
By adhering to the general UAE Free Zone legal protocols governing data privacy and disclosures within free zones, Versently ensures a compliant and responsible approach to legal requests, balancing the rights and privacy of data subjects with regulatory obligations.
This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date of publication and may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
Contact
INFO@VERSENTLY.COM Address
Dubai, ABRAJ Center, office 404-85