Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how WhatIsBetween.com ("we", "our", "the app") processes personal data when you use our website.

We aim to keep things simple and transparent.

Our platform does not require user accounts and does not run personalised or behavioural advertising based on user tracking, analytics, or profiling technologies.

Any business or place information shown in the app—including editorially curated content and AI-generated suggestions—is provided as contextual informational content based on your specific search query, not targeted advertising derived from your personal browsing history.

1. Summary

• We do not run personalised or behavioural advertising based on user tracking.
• All business listings are contextual to your search and not based on individual profiling.
• We do not use analytics tools that track individuals (e.g., Google Analytics).
• We do not create cookies ourselves.
• We do not collect or store any personal data unless you voluntarily contact us.
• Some third-party images you view may cause the hosting website to set cookies—this is outside our control.
• We display interactive maps using HERE Maps. These maps do not create cookies based on our testing.
• AI Search: Your route coordinates and intent are processed by Google Gemini via an enterprise API that does not use your data for training.
• You always remain in control of your location permissions.

2. What personal data is processed

Although we do not store personal data ourselves, some information is processed automatically as part of normal web operations.

2.1 Information processed automatically

When you visit the app, Google Cloud Platform (our hosting provider) automatically processes standard server log data (IP address, browser type, and timestamps). We review these logs to monitor performance, diagnose technical issues, and analyze aggregate search trends to improve our service. We do not use this data to identify individuals, track specific users, or create personal profiles.

2.2 Location information (optional)

If you use the “current location” button, your browser may request permission to access your device location. This data is used to calculate coordinates which are shared with the mapping API for routing and the AI API to generate travel suggestions. We do not store this information.

2.3 Search inputs and typed locations

When you type a location or place name, the text remains client-side except when sent to APIs to perform searches, map displays, or AI-generated suggestions. We do not store or save your searches ourselves.

2.4 AI-Augmented Search (Gemini API)

When you use our "AI Search" or "Travel Concierge" features, the following logic applies:

• Functionality: Your route coordinates (Start, End, and Midpoint) and your typed "User Intent" are sent to Google Gemini (Vertex AI). This is a contractual necessity to provide the travel suggestions.
• No-Training Guarantee: We use enterprise-grade Google Cloud Vertex AI. Unlike consumer chatbots, your data is not used by Google to train or improve their Large Language Models (LLMs). Your queries remain private to your session.
• Data Minimization: We do not send your personal identity, IP address, or account details to the AI model—only the geographic data and intent string required for the search.

3. Third-party services that may process data

To provide mapping, routing, search results, and AI suggestions, we use third-party services that may process IP addresses or geolocation coordinates.

These providers include:

• Google Cloud Platform (Hosting & Server Logs)
• Google Gemini / Vertex AI (AI Search Logic & Processing)
• HERE Maps API (Maps, Geocoding, Routing)
• Google Custom Search (Image Search)
• Ticketmaster API (Event Data)

We do not use these services for analytics, advertising, or tracking, and we do not intentionally share data for those purposes. Any processing performed by these providers is governed by their own privacy policies.

Links to third-party sites are provided for convenience. Their privacy policies apply.

4. Cookies and similar technologies

4.1 Cookies set by this app

We do not set any cookies, tracking pixels, analytics tags, or advertising identifiers.

4.2 Cookies set by third-party image hosts

Some images in search results are loaded directly from their original websites. Because your browser requests those images from the host site, that external site may set its own cookies.

• These cookies are not created, read, or controlled by us
• They are governed by the privacy policies of the sites that host the images
• They do not affect your use of WhatIsBetween.com

4.3 HERE Maps, Google Maps APIs, Google hosting

Based on testing, these services do not set cookies during normal use of our app. If this changes, this policy will be updated.

5. Legal Basis (GDPR)

Under the UK GDPR and EU GDPR, we rely on the following legal bases:

Legitimate Interests / Contractual Necessity

• Operating a simple informational platform.
• AI Processing: Sharing coordinates with the AI API is necessary to fulfill the user's specific request for a "Scouted" route.
• Displaying third-party images or maps necessary for the service.

Consent

Required only when a third-party cookie or service seeks consent. Since our platform does not set such cookies, consent is not required from us. Any cookies set by third-party image hosts fall under their own privacy policies.

Contract / Communication

If you contact us, we process your information only to respond.

6. Data retention

We do not store personal data. Third-party service providers retain data according to their own policies, such as Google Cloud’s log retention defaults.

7. Changes to this policy

If this Privacy Policy is updated, the new version will be published on this page.

8. Contact

For any questions or concerns, contact:

support@somewherehalfway.com