1. Introduction

Welcome to AthleteLink, operated by Athlete Link LLC ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Parent/Guardian Information: Name, email address, phone number, location (city/ZIP code)
• Athlete Information: Age, skill level, training preferences, goals, and availability
• Coach/Trainer Information: Name, organization name, contact details, location, certifications, experience, pricing, photos, videos, and testimonials
• Payment Information: Billing information processed securely through Stripe (we do not store full credit card numbers)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device information, IP address, browser type
• Usage data and analytics
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

• Matching Services: To connect parents with qualified coaches based on location, preferences, and needs
• Communication: To send notifications, updates, and respond to inquiries
• Payment Processing: To facilitate one-time connection purchases and maintain records of current and historical payments
• Platform Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our services
• Safety and Security: To verify coach credentials and maintain platform integrity
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Matched Sports Businesses

When you request and authorize an introduction, AthleteLink may share your name, email address, phone number, and relevant athlete and request details with the sports business matched to that request. This allows the business to contact you about the services you requested. Sports businesses pay AthleteLink for introductions that include access to these contact details. The matching service is free for families.

Permission to share contact details for your requested introduction is separate from your optional consent to receive SMS messages or AI voice callbacks from AthleteLink. Your AthleteLink SMS or AI callback consent does not authorize a matched business to send its own SMS messages or make its own AI calls. Each business is responsible for obtaining any consent required for its own communications.

4.2 With Parents

When coaches are matched with your request, we share their profile information, including contact details, experience, and credentials.

4.3 Service Providers

• Stripe: Payment processing
• Twilio: SMS notifications
• Base44: Hosts our app and supports our AI callback service. If you authorize automated follow-up, your phone number and relevant request details may be processed to follow up on that request.
• Email Service Providers: Email communications
• Analytics Tools: Usage analysis and platform optimization

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of AthleteLink, our users, or others.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and authorization protocols
• Regular security audits and monitoring
• Limited access to personal information by authorized personnel only

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

• Access: Request access to the personal information we have about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@theathletelink.com

7. Children's Privacy

AthleteLink is designed for use by parents and guardians on behalf of children aged 3-17. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without parental consent. Parents provide information about their children for the purpose of connecting with coaches.

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze platform usage and performance
• Provide personalized experiences

You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling cookies may affect platform functionality.

9. SMS Text Messaging

AthleteLink may send SMS text messages to the phone number you provide when you opt in to SMS communications. SMS messages are sent via Twilio (or a similar SMS provider) and may include parent request updates, match notifications and related follow-ups, or service request notifications and partner application and account updates for trainers. Account verification currently uses email; these forms do not enroll you in SMS verification codes.

• Opt-In: You consent to texts by selecting the separate, optional SMS checkbox on our parent request or partner application form. It starts unchecked. Entering a phone number, accepting our policies, or agreeing to AI calls does not by itself grant SMS consent. You can submit without SMS consent. Consent is not required to purchase or receive services.
• Consent Records: We retain the submitted phone number and name, form source, affirmative checkbox action, disclosure wording and version, and server-recorded time to document consent and honor opt-outs. Consent to AthleteLink texts is not proof of phone ownership.
• Message Frequency: Message frequency varies. You may receive up to several messages per week depending on your match activity and account status.
• Message and Data Rates May Apply: Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply to the messages you receive from us.
• Opt-Out: You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message we send, or by contacting us at support@theathletelink.com. You will receive a confirmation message upon opting out.
• Help: For help or support, reply HELP to any message or contact support@theathletelink.com.
• SMS Consent and Contact Sharing: Your consent to AthleteLink SMS messages applies only to AthleteLink. We do not sell, rent, share, or transfer mobile SMS opt-in data or consent to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Providing contact details for the introduction described in Section 4.1 does not transfer your SMS consent. Your phone number may also be provided to our messaging service provider to deliver AthleteLink messages.

We reserve the right to modify or discontinue our SMS program at any time. We will notify you of significant changes via our website or through SMS where feasible.

9.1 Automated Follow-Up

If you choose “Submit and agree,” you authorize AthleteLink to call about the sports training or program request you submitted, including calls from Angie, our AI assistant. The disclosure is shown beside the submission button. SMS permission is collected separately through the optional SMS checkbox. You can submit the same matching request with email follow-up only. Automated contact consent is not required to purchase or receive services and does not authorize unrelated promotions or another business’s automated messages.

We retain your affirmative choice, the consent wording and version, your submitted name and authorized phone number, the associated request, the time zone confirmed at submission, and the time consent was recorded, the submit action, and the channels authorized. We use these records to manage callback permission and honor opt-outs. Phone ownership is self-attested through the form.

You may withdraw callback consent at any time by saying “stop calling” during a call or emailing support@theathletelink.com. The disclosure shown beside the submit button explains that follow-up calls, including calls from Angie, our AI assistant, may be recorded and transcribed. Choosing “Submit and agree” authorizes that recording and transcription for quality, record-keeping, and to honor your preferences. We retain consent and opt-out records as needed to document your choices and meet applicable obligations.

10. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., coach websites, social media profiles). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of AthleteLink after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: