OwnHours Privacy Policy


1. Introduction

Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how OSS Recruitment Inc. (“Company”, “we”, or “us”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use the OwnHours mobile application or website (collectively, the “Service”). It also describes your rights and choices regarding your information, including how you can access, update, and control certain uses of your information. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into the OwnHours Terms and Conditions and applies to all users of the Service. By using OwnHours, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Policy.

Scope: This Policy covers information collected through our mobile app and website, as well as related services provided by OSS Recruitment Inc. It does not cover any third-party sites or services that you may access through OwnHours, which are governed by their own privacy policies.

Not Intended for Minors: Our services are not intended for individuals under 16 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children or minors. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected information from someone under 16, we will promptly delete it. Parents or guardians who believe that OwnHours might have any unauthorized information from a minor should contact us immediately.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, information that is collected automatically as you use the Service, and information from third parties as needed. The types of information we collect include:

  • Information You Provide: When you create an account or profile on OwnHours, we collect information such as your name, email address, phone number, location (city/region), work history, job skills, qualifications, photographs or avatar, and any other details you choose to provide (e.g. resume/CV, certifications). We also collect content you post or submit through the Service, like your availability, shift preferences, messages, and feedback or ratings you give/receive.
  • Information Collected Automatically: When you use the website or app, we automatically collect certain data about your device and usage. This includes your device identifier or ad ID, device type, operating system, browser type, IP address, and geolocation data (if you allow location access). We also collect details about how you interact with our Service – for example, the pages or screens you view, features you use, links you click, jobs you apply to, and other usage metrics. If you enable location services, we may collect precise location to show nearby job opportunities or clock your work hours.

We may also receive information about you from third-party services, such as workforce scheduling or time-tracking platforms, where you have an account or have provided authorization for data sharing. This may include your work history, shift attendance, performance reviews, and other employment-related information.

  • Cookies and Tracking Technologies: OwnHours uses cookies, beacons, and similar tracking technologies to understand and improve your experience. Cookies are small text files placed on your device that help us remember your preferences, keep you logged in, and track aggregate usage. We (and our analytics or advertising partners) may use cookies and device identifiers to collect information about your interaction with the Service, such as which pages you visit and what links you click. For more details, see Section 5: Cookies and Tracking below.

Categories of Personal Information (CCPA)

For compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), we list here the categories of personal information we collect. Below are the general categories of data we may have collected from users in the past 12 months (with examples in each category). Note: This is a placeholder list and may be updated as our data practices change:

  • Identifiers: e.g. real name, alias, email address, telephone number, account username, device identifiers, IP address.
  • Personal Records: e.g. contact information, login credentials, and any personal details you include on your profile (work history, qualifications).
  • Geolocation Data: precise or approximate location of your device (with your consent).
  • Internet or Network Activity: e.g. browsing behavior on our site/app, search history within the platform, clicks, time stamps, and cookies or advertising identifiers.
  • Professional or Employment Information: e.g. job history, references, skills, certifications, and preferences for work (since our Service is focused on employment matching).
  • Inferences: inferences drawn from the above data to create a profile about a user’s preferences or aptitudes (for example, an internal score or rating based on work performance or reliability, where applicable).
  • Other Information from documentation you choose to upload: e.g. documentation you provide to verify your work history, references and certifications.

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data such as social security numbers, government ID numbers, financial account information, or biometric identifiers from users of OwnHours, except where required for verification and with appropriate safeguards. Please avoid submitting such sensitive information on your profile or communications through the Service.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following business and commercial purposes:

  • To Provide and Operate the Service: We use personal information to create and manage user accounts, match workers with suitable job opportunities, facilitate scheduling of shifts, and enable communications between workers and employers. For example, we use your profile information and job preferences to connect you with potential employers or shifts that fit your criteria.
  • Service Improvement and Analytics: We analyze usage data (including cookies and logs) to understand how our Service is used and to improve its functionality. This helps us optimize user experience, develop new features, and fix bugs or usability issues.
  • Communications: We use contact information (email, phone) to send you service-related notifications and updates, such as confirmations of shift assignments, changes to schedules, and important announcements. We may also send you promotional communications or newsletters about new features or job opportunities, but you can opt out of marketing emails at any time. Transactional messages (like password resets or shift alerts) are necessary for service and may be sent even if you opt out of marketing.
  • Geolocation Uses: If you have enabled location services, we use your geolocation data to show jobs near you, to verify attendance or clock-ins at work sites, and to enhance matching (for example, suggesting opportunities within a certain radius). You can disable precise location access at any time, though certain location-based features may not function.
  • Security and Fraud Prevention: We may use information (including device IDs, IP addresses, and usage patterns) to monitor for fraudulent activity or violations of our Terms. This helps us protect the safety, security, and integrity of the OwnHours platform and our user community.
  • Advertising and Marketing: We may use some data about you (like your demographics or activity) to provide you with relevant advertisements or sponsored content, both on our Service and, through advertising partners, on other platforms. This could include showing you ads for training programs, work gear, or other services relevant to hourly workers. If we do this, it may involve cookies and tracking (see Section 5 on cookies), and where required by law, we will seek your consent.
  • Legal Compliance: We use and disclose information as necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests. For example, we may retain records to meet employment-related legal obligations or respond to law enforcement inquiries.
  • With Your Consent: We will use your personal information for any other purpose that you specifically consent to. If we seek to use your data in ways not described in this Policy, we will notify you and, if required, obtain your permission.

We may combine information we receive from you with information from other sources (such as public databases or third-party services) enhance your profile, validate your experience, and improve job-matching accuracy. 

4. How We Share and Disclose Information

We may share or sell (as defined by applicable law) personal information to third parties in certain circumstances, as described below. OwnHours does not disclose your personal information to third parties except as necessary for the purposes listed in this Policy or with your consent. Key instances where we share data include:

  • With Potential Employers (Job Providers): Since OwnHours’s core function is matching workers with employers, we share your relevant profile information with employers when you apply for a job, join a shift, or are identified as a potential candidate. This can include your name, contact info, work history, skills, references, and other details you’ve provided. Employers will use this information to evaluate you for job opportunities and may contact you through the platform or via the contact details provided. By opting into job matching, you consent to this sharing of your data with prospective employers.
  • With Partner Companies: We may share your information with business partners or affiliates who are working with us to offer integrated services or promotions. For example, if we partner with a training provider or another app that can enhance your employment prospects, we might share certain details with them (with your consent when required). These partners are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the agreed purpose.
  • Third-Party Service Providers: We engage trusted third-party companies to perform functions and provide services to us (acting as “service providers” or “processors”). This includes hosting providers, cloud infrastructure, analytics companies, customer support tools, payment processors (if any financial transactions), marketing/email service providers, and background check or verification services (if applicable). They may process your personal information on our behalf for the purposes noted in Section 3. For example, we use analytics providers to help us understand how users engage with OwnHours, and those providers may receive log and usage data. Service providers are given access only to the information necessary to perform their functions and are contractually required to safeguard your data.
  • Advertising and Analytics Partners: We may allow third-party advertising networks and analytics companies to collect information about your use of our Service over time through cookies and similar technologies. These third parties may receive identifiers and usage data (but not your name or contact info) to help us deliver targeted advertisements or measure the effectiveness of our ad campaigns. For instance, we might share a unique identifier or cookie with an ad network to avoid showing you the same ad repeatedly, or to show ads for OwnHours on other websites you visit. We treat such sharing as a “sale” under the CCPA if it involves exchanging your information for valuable consideration. You have the right to opt out of this as described below.
  • Business Transfers: If OSS Recruitment Inc. is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing due diligence, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership, sale of assets, or transition of service to another provider, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will ensure the successor entity honors the commitments we have made in this Privacy Policy regarding your personal information.
  • Legal and Safety Disclosures: We may disclose personal information to third parties (such as attorneys, auditors, law enforcement, or government agencies) if we believe that disclosure is (a) reasonably necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; (b) necessary to enforce our Terms and other agreements, or to investigate potential violations; (c) required to detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues; or (d) needed to protect the rights, property, or safety of OSS Recruitment Inc., our users, or the public. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection and credit risk reduction.
  • With Your Consent or Direction: Apart from the cases above, we will share your personal information with third parties if (and only if) you have given us explicit consent to do so. For example, if you opt in to a feature that involves sharing data with a third-party app or service (perhaps to import your profile elsewhere), we will do so under the terms you agreed to.

Sale of Personal Information: Under the CCPA’s broad definition, some of our data sharing practices (particularly with advertising partners or certain analytics providers) may be considered a “sale” of personal information. Additionally, we may, in the future, sell certain personal information (such as aggregated or profile data about workers) to companies like employment marketplaces, staffing agencies, or researchers for business purposes. We will only do so with your opt-in consent. If you do not opt in, your data will not be sold, though it may still be shared with service providers or others as described above for operational needs. See Section 7 below on your rights to opt out of the sale of your data.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

OwnHours uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to recognize you and your device, to store preferences, and to collect information about your interaction with the Service. This section provides an overview, and a detailed list of specific cookies and tools is provided below.

What are Cookies? Cookies are small text files that websites or apps store on your browser or device when you visit or use them. They allow the site to remember your actions or preferences over time. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser/app) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device for a set period or until deleted). We also use other technologies like web beacons (pixel tags), SDKs, or local storage that function similarly to cookies.

Why We Use Them: OwnHours uses these technologies for several reasons:

  • Authentication: To keep you logged in as you navigate through the app or site, so you don’t have to re-enter your credentials on every page.
  • Preferences: To remember your settings and preferences (such as language, notification settings, etc.) to provide a personalized experience.
  • Analytics: To understand how users arrive at and use our Service. For example, cookies help us count visitors, see which features are most popular, and identify usage patterns. This data helps us improve functionality and design.
  • Advertising: To deliver relevant ads, if applicable. Cookies and ad identifiers help us, and our advertising partners show you content that may be of interest and measure the performance of ads.

Cookies and Tools We Use:

  • Authentication Token (Supabase JWT) – We use Supabase as our authentication provider. When you log in to OwnHours, Supabase generates a JSON Web Token (JWT) that is stored in your browser’s local storage, not as a traditional cookie. This token identifies your session and allows you to stay logged in while using the app.
  • Token Name: sb-[project-ref]-auth-token (e.g. sb-guhatccakpsdpqagtwfk-auth-token)
  • Purpose: Essential for login authentication and maintaining your active session
  • Storage Location: Browser local storage
  • Token Expiry: The access token is valid for approximately 1 hour. A refresh token (also stored locally) is used to renew the session and is valid for around 7 days, after which re-authentication is required.
  • Retention: Tokens are removed upon logout, or may be cleared manually by the user via browser settings.

We do not use traditional session cookies for authentication, and we do not set any first- or third-party cookies for this purpose.

  • Analytics Cookies/Tools: PostHog – We use PostHog to collect information on user behavior and engagement within our application. PostHog may set cookies or use similar technologies to help us analyze how users interact with the service. This includes data such as pages or screens visited, time spent on each section, button clicks, and responses to in-app surveys. Purpose: To understand aggregate usage patterns and user flows so we can improve functionality, user experience, and performance. Hosting: We use the PostHog Cloud platform, with data processed and stored in the US (US-East region). More Info: You can learn more about how PostHog handles data by visiting their Privacy Documentation.
  • Functional Cookies: e.g., Intercom/Zendesk (Support chat cookie) – If we offer live chat support or similar features, a cookie may remember you or track usage of support features. Purpose: Enhance customer support experience.
  • Essential Cookies: Certain cookies are essential for the site/app to operate (for example, to prevent fraudulent use of credentials or to load necessary resources). These are always active and not subject to opt-out individually because the service cannot function without them.

Your Choices for Cookies: When you first use OwnHours, you may be presented with cookies notice (if required by law) where you can consent or adjust your cookie preferences. Additionally, most web browsers and mobile devices allow you to control cookies through their settings (e.g., you can refuse new cookies, delete existing cookies, or be notified when cookies are set). However, please note that if you disable or delete certain cookies, parts of the Service may not work properly – for example, you may not be able to stay logged in or some features might be unavailable.

Our Service currently does not respond to “Do Not Track” signals from browsers by altering its practices, due to the lack of a standard interpretation for such signals. We will update this Policy if this changes.

6. Data Retention and Security

Data Retention: OSS Recruitment Inc. retains personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. In general, if you cease using OwnHours, we will retain your data for up to five (5) years after your last activity (or last account login), after which we will either delete or anonymize your personal information. We choose a 5-year retention period to accommodate workers who may have seasonal or intermittent usage and to comply with certain record-keeping obligations (for instance, for legal, tax, or reporting requirements). When personal information is no longer needed, we will ensure it is disposed of securely.

Keep in mind that we may retain anonymized or aggregated data (that does not identify you personally) indefinitely for analytics and service improvement purposes. Also, if you requested deletion of your data or account, we will take steps to delete your personal information as required by law (see Section 7 on your rights), except to the extent we need to keep certain data for legal compliance or legitimate business reasons.

Security Measures: We implement a variety of administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration. These measures include encryption of data in transit (e.g., using HTTPS for our website), encryption of sensitive information at rest where appropriate, firewalls and access controls on our servers, and regular security assessments of our systems. We also restrict access to personal data within our organization to employees and contractors who need that information to operate, develop, or improve our Service, and they are subject to strict confidentiality obligations.

Despite our efforts, no security measure is 100% perfect. We cannot guarantee that your data will be completely secure from cyberattacks, breaches, or other types of unauthorized access. You can help protect your account by using a strong, unique password and keeping your login credentials confidential. If you believe your OwnHours account or personal data has been compromised, please contact us immediately so we can assist.

7. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

You have certain rights and choices regarding the personal information we maintain about you, especially if you are a resident of California or certain other jurisdictions. We are committed to facilitating the exercise of these rights:

  • Access and Knowledge: You have the right to request that we disclose what personal information we have collected about you, including the categories of information, the sources, the business purposes for collection, the categories of third parties with whom we shared it, and specific pieces of information we hold about you. You can make a Request to Know up to twice in a 12-month period.
  • Deletion: You have the right to request that we delete personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions (for example, we may retain information as required by law or for legitimate business needs like completing a transaction you requested or detecting security incidents).
  • Correction: If any of your personal information is inaccurate or outdated, you have the right to request that we correct it.
  • Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing: You have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information with third parties. This includes the sharing of data for targeted advertising purposes as defined by the CCPA/CPRA. If you do not want us to sell or share your personal data with third parties (as described in Section 4), you can direct us to stop. We will honor opt-out requests as required by law, typically within 15 business days of receipt.
  • Opt-In for Minors: (For completeness under CCPA) We do not sell personal information of consumers we know are less than 16 years old, unless we receive affirmative authorization (opt-in consent) as required by law. Users under 16 are not permitted on OwnHours (see Section 1), so this generally does not apply; however, if a minor (13-15) were to use the Service in violation of our Terms, we would not sell their data without proper consent.
  • Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of these rights. That means, per CCPA, we will not deny you services, charge you different prices, or provide a different quality of service just because you exercised your privacy rights. However, please note that in some cases, certain functionality may be limited if you choose to opt out of data sharing that is essential to the Service. For example, if you opt out of allowing us to share your profile with employers or decline to consent to data use necessary for matching, we may not be able to effectively provide job matches or scheduling services to you. Any such impact is a natural consequence of your choice, and we will inform you at the time of your decision if a service cannot be provided without certain data.

Exercising Your Rights: To exercise the access, deletion, correction, or opt-out rights described above, please submit a request to us by one of the following methods:

  • Email: Send an email to Privacy@ownhours.com with the subject line “CCPA Request” or “Privacy Request” and let us know what specific action you are requesting (e.g., “Request to Know”, “Request to Delete”, “Opt-Out of Sale of Info”). Please include your name and the email associated with your OwnHours account and describe your request with sufficient detail for us to process it.

For your security, we will need to verify your identity when you make a privacy request, to ensure that we are fulfilling requests for the correct individual. This might involve verifying information on your account or contacting you via a known email/phone. Any information collected for verification will only be used for that purpose.

If you are an authorized agent making a request on behalf of another individual, please provide proof of authorization and we may still require the individual to verify their identity directly with us.

Once we receive and verify a valid request, we will respond within the timeframe required by law (generally within 45 days, with an extension of 45 more days if reasonably necessary, which we will communicate to you). We will confirm receipt of your request within 10 business days and let you know if we need additional information to process it.

Opt-Out of Marketing: Regardless of the above data rights, you can always opt out of our email marketing or newsletter by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any marketing email, or by adjusting your account settings if that feature is available. Note that you may still receive transactional or service-related communications from us.

8. International Users and Data Transfers

OwnHours is operated from the United States and intended primarily for users in the United States. If you are using the Service from outside the U.S., be aware that your personal information will be transferred to and stored in the United States or other locations where our servers or service providers are located. Data protection laws in these jurisdictions may be different from those in your country of residence. However, we will take appropriate safeguards to ensure that your data is protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy. By using our Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the U.S. and elsewhere as needed for our operations.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

The OwnHours platform may contain links to third-party websites, apps, or services (for example, a link to an external training resource, or social media pages). If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to a site or service that is not controlled by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to your activities on those external platforms. We recommend you review the privacy policies of any third-party sites or services you visit or use. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third parties.

Additionally, if an employer on our platform collects additional information directly from you (for instance, during an interview or an application form outside of OwnHours), that collection is done under the employer’s own privacy terms, not this Privacy Policy.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update or revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. If we make material changes to how we handle your personal information, we will provide you with notice (for example, by posting the updated policy on our site/app and updating the “Last Updated” date at the top, or by email notification for significant changes). Please review the Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed of any updates. Your continued use of OwnHours after the effective date of the revised Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree with any updates, you should stop using the Service and may request that we remove your information as per Section 7.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:

  • Email: Privacy@ownhours.com (for privacy inquiries, opt-out requests, and data subject requests)
  • Postal address:
    1084-B N. El Camino Real #255
    Encinitas, CA 92024

We will respond to your inquiries as soon as reasonably possible, typically within 30 days. If you are a California resident and have a specific complaint about our compliance with CCPA, you may also contact the California Attorney General or the California Privacy Protection Agency.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Privacy Policy. We are committed to protecting your personal information and enabling a trustworthy platform for all our users. Your trust is important to us, and we welcome feedback on our privacy practices at any time.