Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 13, 2026

Pickleball Pulse (“we”, “our”, or “us”) is operated as a sole proprietorship by Robin Coleman. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use the Pickleball Pulse mobile app and website (collectively, the “Service”).

Information We Collect

Account Information

To create an account, we collect your mobile phone number. We verify your phone number using a one-time passcode (OTP) sent via SMS. We do not collect email addresses, passwords, or social login credentials. If you choose to personalize your profile, we also store the optional details you provide — display name, home city, skill range, and a profile photo. Your photo is shown only where your display name is shown, and you can change or remove it at any time in Edit Profile.

Location Information

When you use the app's check-in features, we collect your precise location while the app is in use (“When In Use” access only). We use your location to verify that you are at a pickleball court and to power automatic check-in. Location data is stored securely and is not shared with third parties for advertising. Precise coordinates are stored in an owner-only sidecar table and are not included in any public presence data.

Court Activity

When you check in to a court, we record your presence (active, court, time). Court presence counts are always public. You control whether your name appears: choose Everyone, Friends only, or Hidden in the app (Profile). For new accounts the default is Everyone. Each check-in is governed by the setting you had when you checked in. With Friends only, players you have accepted as friends can see your name at courts while the friendship stands — including a check-in that is active when the friendship is accepted; everyone else sees counts only. Hidden always hides your name, from everyone, with no exceptions.

Session Data

If you create or join an open-play session, we store session details (court, time, capacity), your RSVP status, and, for guest RSVPs, your phone number and the name you provide. Guest contact information is stored in a restricted table accessible only to the session host and service administrators.

Friends, Invites, and People From Your Sessions

If you use the social features, we store your friend requests and friendships (who asked, who accepted, and when), the session invites you send and receive, and your block list. We derive a “people from your sessions” list from sessions you attended together: players who joined the same session can see each other's display names on that list, on the session roster, and in invite pickers. Friend requests, accepted friendships, and session invites generate push and in-app notifications to the affected player; invite notifications never include a session's private share link. You can block a player at any time — blocking removes any friendship in both directions immediately, prevents new requests and invites between you, and the blocked player is not notified.

SMS Consent

If you choose to receive SMS notifications, we record your explicit opt-in including the disclosure text shown at opt-in, the date and time of consent, and the version of the disclosure. This consent record is required by TCPA regulations and is stored in a restricted table not accessible to other users.

Usage Data

We may collect anonymized analytics events (e.g., which features are used) to improve the Service. These events never include precise location or personal identifiers beyond a randomized session token.

How We Use Your Information

SMS / Text Messaging

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text-messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties.

We use SMS for two purposes:

  1. Phone verification (OTP): Sent via Twilio Verify when you sign in or verify your phone number. These messages are not marketing messages and are exempt from A2P 10DLC campaign requirements.
  2. Session notifications: Reminders and updates about sessions you have joined. These require your explicit SMS consent, which is recorded when you complete a phone-verified guest RSVP after a clear disclosure shown at the point of submission, and ride the Pickleball Pulse A2P messaging campaign. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. Reply HELP for help. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

We do not send marketing or promotional SMS messages. All non-OTP SMS is dark-flagged at launch pending Twilio A2P campaign approval.

Data Sharing

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share data only:

Your Rights and Data Deletion

You can export all your personal data or delete your account at any time. In the app: Settings > Account > Export My Data or Delete Account. Alternatively, visit pickleballpulse.app/delete-account for web-based deletion instructions.

Account deletion permanently removes your profile, check-in history, session RSVPs, and SMS consent records. Guest contact records submitted by others on your behalf are purged on a 90-day retention schedule. Anonymized analytics data (no personal identifiers) may be retained.

Data Retention

Children

The Service is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

Security

We use row-level security on all database tables, encrypted connections, and server-enforced access controls. Precise location coordinates and guest phone numbers are stored in restricted-access tables not readable by other users.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. Material changes will be surfaced in the app. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

Contact

Questions? Email privacy@pickleballpulse.app or use the in-app Support option (Settings > Help & Support).