Rover Privacy Policy Review

Item: Rover Privacy Policy
Rating: 38
Author: Privacy.Law Editorial Team

Rover's business model requires extensive data collection: your home address, daily schedule, pet health information, and real-time location during walks. This data is shared with sitters, used for marketing, and retained even after you close your account.

📅 Last Updated: January 27, 2026

📄 Policy Version: Dec 2025

⚠ 5 High-Risk Practices

0100

Grade D

Privacy Fairness Index

📈 4 points below category avg (42)

⚠ Key Privacy Concerns

Rover collects your home address, work schedule patterns, pet health information, and tracks GPS location during every walk. This data is shared not just with your sitter, but used for targeted advertising and retained indefinitely even after you delete your account.

Data They Collect

Everything Rover gathers about you, your pets, and your home.

📊 Data Collection Scope (25%) 30/100

What they collect: Home address, work schedule, pet health records, vaccination history, photos of your home interior, emergency contacts, payment information, and real-time GPS during walks.

👥 Third-Party Sharing (20%) 35/100

Who gets your data: Sitters see your full address and pet details. Marketing data shared with ad networks. Pet health info shared with "partner services."

🕐 Retention & Deletion (20%) 40/100

How long: No specific retention period stated. "Aggregated data" kept indefinitely. Photos and reviews remain even after account deletion.

☑ User Control & Consent (15%) 45/100

Your control: Limited opt-out for marketing emails. Cannot opt out of sitter data sharing (required for service). CCPA rights acknowledged but process unclear.

🔒 Security & Breach (10%) 42/100

Security: Standard encryption claimed. No breach notification timeline specified. Sitters access data via their own devices with unknown security.

🔍 Transparency & Access (10%) 40/100

Clarity: Policy uses vague terms like "partners" and "service providers." No self-service data export. Must email to request access.

Compare With Other Pet Services

⚠ Red Flags

The most concerning privacy practices in Rover's policy.

Real-Time GPS Tracking

High Risk

During walks, Rover tracks GPS location continuously. This data reveals your home location, work patterns, and when you're away from home.

"We collect precise geolocation data during the provision of services, including GPS coordinates and movement patterns." Rover Privacy Policy — "Information We Collect: Location Data"

Home Interior Photos

High Risk

Sitters are encouraged to send "pup date" photos that often include your home interior. These are stored by Rover and used in marketing materials.

"Photos and videos shared through the platform may be used for promotional and marketing purposes." Rover Privacy Policy — "User Content: Photo & Video License"

Pet Health Data Sharing

High Risk

Your pet's medical conditions, medications, and vet records are shared with sitters and potentially "partner services" including pet insurance providers.

"Pet health information may be shared with service providers and partners to enhance your experience." Rover Privacy Policy — "Information Sharing: Service Providers"

Sitter Device Security Unknown

High Risk

Your home address, entry codes, and pet information are accessed on sitters' personal devices with no security requirements or oversight.

"Pet Care Providers access the platform through their own devices, which are not controlled by Rover." Rover Privacy Policy — "Security: Third-Party Device Access"

Indefinite Data Retention

Medium Risk

No specific retention periods stated. Reviews and photos remain visible even after you close your account.

"We retain information for as long as necessary to provide services and for legitimate business purposes." Rover Privacy Policy — "Data Retention"

Third-Party Ad Tracking

Medium Risk

Rover shares data with advertising networks for targeted ads across the web, tracking your browsing even off their platform.

"We share information with advertising partners to show you relevant ads on other platforms." Rover Privacy Policy — "Information Sharing: Advertising Partners"

Who They Share With

Where your data ends up beyond Rover.

Sitters/Walkers: Full name, home address, phone, pet health info, photos, entry codes

Advertising Networks: Browsing behavior, demographics, pet ownership data

Analytics Providers: Usage patterns, location data, device information

Partner Services: Pet insurance companies, vet services (pet health data)

Your Rights

What you can (and can't) do about your data.

✅ You CAN: Request data access (via email), opt out of marketing emails, delete your account (but reviews may remain)

❌ You CANNOT: Opt out of sitter data sharing, delete photos from sitter devices, stop GPS tracking during walks, use the service without providing home address

Analysis

"Rover's privacy policy reveals the inherent privacy tensions in gig-economy pet care. You simply cannot use the service without sharing your home address and pet information with strangers.

What concerns me most is the lack of security oversight for sitter devices. Your home address, entry codes, and schedule patterns are accessed on personal phones and laptops with no security requirements. A sitter's compromised device could expose dozens of clients' home information.

If you use Rover, consider creating a separate email for the service, avoid sharing detailed medical information unless necessary, and be aware that photos taken inside your home may be used in marketing. For sensitive situations, request that sitters not send photos of your home interior."

Rover Privacy Policy Review

⚠ Key Privacy Concerns

Data They Collect

Compare With Other Pet Services

🐕 Concerned About Your Data?

⚠ Red Flags

Real-Time GPS Tracking

Home Interior Photos

Pet Health Data Sharing

Sitter Device Security Unknown

Indefinite Data Retention

Third-Party Ad Tracking

Who They Share With

Your Rights

Analysis

Need Help With Your Privacy Rights?

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Rover Privacy Policy Review

⚠ Key Privacy Concerns

Data They Collect

Compare With Other Pet Services

🐕 Concerned About Your Data?

Related Resources

⚠ Red Flags

Real-Time GPS Tracking

Home Interior Photos

Pet Health Data Sharing

Sitter Device Security Unknown

Indefinite Data Retention

Third-Party Ad Tracking

Who They Share With

Your Rights

Analysis

Need Help With Your Privacy Rights?

Schedule a Consultation