1. Data controller
The party responsible for the database and its processing is Raíces Services by Locals, based in Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica. The contact email for support and privacy questions is the one shown at the bottom of this page.
2. Personal data we collect
Depending on how you interact with the Platform, we may collect the following categories of data:
- Users (people looking for services): Email address, name, phone number (if they use internal contact forms) and browsing data (IP address, cookies).
- Providers (businesses that advertise): Trade name, name of the owner or legal representative, personal or legal ID number, physical address of the business, phone numbers, email address, links to social media and web pages, and billing information to issue the electronic invoice to the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda).
- Applicants for "Verified Business": In addition to the provider data, we collect professional credentials, certifications from professional associations (if applicable), operating permits from the Ministry of Health or other regulatory bodies, and a copy of identity documents, for the sole purpose of validating the authenticity of the business.
- Recurring payment data: To manage the automatic charges for monthly and annual subscriptions we ask for your credit or debit card details. The Platform does not store the full card number or the security code (CVV) on its servers. Processing follows international security standards (PCI DSS) through our authorized payment gateway, which tokenizes the card to process recurring charges every 30 days or annually.
3. Purpose of data processing
The Platform uses the data collected for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain and improve the features of the business directory.
- To connect users directly with service providers.
- To evaluate and validate the requirements of providers who apply for the "Verified Business" seal.
- To manage the automatic recurring charge (monthly or annual) by credit or debit card and to issue the corresponding electronic invoice to Costa Rica's Ministry of Finance (Hacienda).
- To send administrative notices, updates to the terms or security alerts.
- To prevent fraud, unlawful activity or fake profiles that put the community at risk.
4. Informed consent
In accordance with article 5 of Law No. 8968, by registering, completing a contact form or applying for verification, you give your free, express and informed consent for your data to be incorporated into the Platform's databases. You guarantee that the data you provide is truthful and you undertake to report any change.
5. Transfer of data to third parties
The Platform does not sell, rent or trade its users' personal data to third-party companies.
Providers' basic data (phone, location, services) is made public in the directory because of the very nature of the advertising service they contracted.
Private documents submitted for the "Verified Business" process are handled with strict internal confidentiality and are neither shown to the public nor shared with third parties, except under a court order from the competent authorities of Costa Rica.
6. Rights of the data subject (ARCO rights)
Under Costa Rican law, you have the right of access, rectification, cancellation and opposition (ARCO) over your personal data. At any time you may request to:
- Know what data we hold about you.
- Correct outdated or incorrect information.
- Request that your data be deleted from our records (which may mean closing your account or taking down your ad).
To exercise any of these rights, send a formal written request to raicesbylocals@gmail.com, stating your full name and the right you want to exercise.
7. Information security
We apply reasonable technical, administrative and organizational security measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, loss or destruction. However, because of the nature of the internet no data transmission is 100% secure, so we ask you to protect your access credentials.
8. Use of cookies
The site uses cookies to improve the browsing experience, analyze web traffic and remember your local search preferences. You can configure your browser to reject cookies, although this may limit some features of the Platform.
9. Changes to the privacy policy
The Platform reserves the right to change this policy at any time to adapt it to legislative developments or internal changes in the service. Any change is published immediately in this section.