Privacy policy

Last updated 9 October 2026.

Ride263 is a ride-hailing app for Zimbabwe, for Android and iPhone, with this website at ride263-ddc3b.web.app. It connects riders with drivers. This policy explains what information the Ride263 app collects, why, who it is shared with, how long it is kept, and the choices you have. It covers the app, this website and the Ride263 operations console.

Information we collect

Your phone number. Every account has one, checked with a code sent by text message. We use it to sign you in and so your driver or rider can call you during a trip.
Information from Google or Apple sign-in, if you choose it. See the next section.
Your profile: your name, your photo (one you add in the app, or the one from Google or Apple sign-in if you use it), your language and your currency.
People you block: if you block someone after a trip, the first name you saw on that trip and its date, so you can see and undo the block. Only you can see it; the person is not told.
Your location. Riders: while the app is open, to set the pickup point and find nearby drivers. Drivers: while you are online, including when the screen is off, so riders can see you arriving and we can match you with trips. We do not collect location when you are offline or the app is closed.
Trips: pickup and drop-off points, the route, times, the fare, ratings, tips, messages you send in the trip chat, and any problem you report.
Payments: how you paid, amounts, and the mobile money number you pay from or cash out to. We do not receive or store card numbers; card payments are handled by Paynow.
Saved places and trusted contacts, if you add them. Trusted contacts are only told anything when you press the emergency button.
Drivers: driving licence, identity document, vehicle details, photos and other documents, to check you may drive; earnings, wallet and subscription records.
Device information: a notification token, so we can send you notifications, and an integrity check (Firebase App Check) that confirms requests come from the real app. We do not use advertising identifiers.

Google and Apple sign-in

If you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address and profile photo from your Google account. If you sign in with Apple, we receive your name and email address, or the private relay address Apple gives us if you choose to hide yours. We ask for nothing else: no access to your contacts, calendar, files, Gmail or any other Google or Apple data.

We use this information only to create and sign in to your Ride263 account, to show your name and photo in the app, and to contact you about your account. We do not sell it, use it for advertising, or share it with anyone except as described under "Who we share it with". You can remove Ride263's access at any time in your Google account (Security, then Third-party apps) or your Apple ID settings. Deleting your Ride263 account also deletes this information.

Ride263's use of information received from Google APIs follows the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

How we use it

To run trips: matching riders and drivers, showing each other's progress, calculating fares and taking payment.
To keep people safe: emergency alerts, sharing a trip with trusted contacts, and looking into reports.
To check drivers before they can go online.
To send notifications about your trips, payments and account, and, if you allow it, text messages about your trip.
To answer disputes and support requests, and to prevent fraud and misuse.
To meet legal, tax and accounting duties.

We do not sell your information and we do not show advertising.

Who we share it with

Your driver or rider, during your trip only: first name, photo and rating, and for drivers the vehicle and plate. Each can call the other through the app from when a driver accepts until the trip ends; the number is not shown in the trip record afterwards.
People you choose: anyone you share a trip link with, until 30 minutes after the trip, and your trusted contacts if you press the emergency button.
Service providers who process data for us: Google Cloud and Firebase (hosting, database, sign-in, notifications), Google Maps (maps, routes and place search), Paynow and the mobile money or card provider you pay with, and, if text messages are switched on, our SMS provider.
Your employer, if you ride on a company account: the trips you take on that account and their cost.
Authorities, when the law requires it or to protect someone's safety.

Where it is kept and how it is protected

Your information is stored on Google Cloud through Firebase: the database is in South Africa (Johannesburg) and our servers run in Belgium. It is encrypted in transit and at rest. Access is limited by security rules: you can read your own data, and only our servers can change money, fares and trip status. Our staff see personal information only to run the service.

How long we keep it

We keep your account information while your account is open. When you delete your account, your name, phone number, email, photo, saved places, trusted contacts, blocks and sign-in are deleted. When you change your photo, the old one is deleted. Records of trips and payments are kept, without your name or number, because the business must keep financial records.

Your choices

Change your name, photo and language in the app under Account, or remove your photo.
Block someone you do not want to ride or drive with again, from the receipt of a finished trip. Unblock them in Account, under Blocked people.
Turn off location permission in your phone's settings. Booking and driving need it, but you can turn it off when you are not using the app.
Turn off notifications in your phone's settings.
Delete your account in the app: Account, then Delete account. See how deleting works.
Ask us for a copy of your information, or to correct it, using the contact below.

Children

Ride263 accounts are for adults. We do not knowingly create accounts for children under 18. If you believe a child has an account, contact us and we will delete it.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we will update the date at the top. If a change affects how we use information you have already given us, we will tell you in the app first.

Contact

Ride263, Harare, Zimbabwe. [Contact email to be added before launch]