Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TRDS LLC (“TRDS,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of the individuals who use our services.

This Privacy Policy describes how information is collected, used, and handled when you use the TRDS website at trds.net or the TRDS™ FDS (Field Documentation System) mobile application.

FDS is designed to support structured documentation of tree-removal work in accordance with the Tree Removal Documentation Standard (TRDS). Because the application is used to document work performed at specific job sites, some of the information collected through FDS relates to technicians, properties, claims, job-site conditions, photographs, equipment, and tree-removal activities.

By using our website or FDS, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

The information collected by TRDS depends on how you interact with our website and FDS.

Information collected through FDS may include the categories described below.

3. Account and Contact Information

FDS is intended for authorized users. When an account is created or used, we may collect information associated with the account, including:

• Name
• Email address
• Technician or user information
• Account and authentication information
• Information necessary to manage access to FDS

We use this information to authenticate users, provide access to FDS, associate documentation with the appropriate technician or account, communicate with users, and operate the service.

4. Job, Property, and Claim Information

FDS is used to document tree-removal jobs. Information entered into or generated through a job may include:

• Homeowner or customer name
• Property and job-site address
• City, state, and ZIP code
• Claim number
• Insurance carrier
• Loss date
• CAT or other job-related information
• Tree and limb information
• Site conditions
• Crew information
• Equipment information
• Job status and workflow information
• Other information entered by an authorized user as part of documenting a job

This information is collected to create and maintain documentation associated with the applicable tree-removal job.

5. Location Information

FDS uses device location information as part of its job-site documentation workflow.

When location functionality is used, FDS may collect or record information such as:

• Latitude
• Longitude
• Job-site address
• Date and time associated with the location or report

Location information is used to document and verify where job-site activities and related documentation occur.

FDS may request permission to access your device’s location services. Device permissions can generally be managed through the settings provided by your mobile operating system. Disabling required location access may prevent certain FDS features from functioning as intended.

6. Photos and Field Documentation

FDS uses photographs as part of the tree-removal documentation process.

Depending on the workflow, users may capture or submit photographs of:

• Property identifiers or address markers
• Structures and job-site conditions
• Trees and limbs
• Areas affected by tree damage or removal activity
• Crew-related documentation
• Equipment
• Conditions before work begins
• Conditions after work is performed
• Other reference information relevant to the documented job

FDS may request permission to access your device’s camera or related photo functionality.

Photographs and associated information may be uploaded, synchronized, stored, or processed as necessary to provide the FDS documentation and verification features.

7. How We Use Information

TRDS may use information collected through the website and FDS to:

• Provide and operate the TRDS website and FDS
• Authenticate and manage authorized users
• Create, maintain, and organize job documentation
• Record job-site and location information
• Associate documentation with a technician, job, property, or claim
• Process and synchronize field documentation
• Provide photo and documentation workflows
• Perform verification functions
• Generate or support TRDS reports and related documentation
• Maintain job progress and submitted-job records
• Troubleshoot technical problems
• Respond to support requests and user feedback
• Maintain and improve the functionality, reliability, and usability of our services
• Protect the integrity and security of our services

8. AI-Assisted Features

Certain FDS workflows may use AI-assisted technology to help evaluate or verify information and photographs submitted as part of the documentation process.

For example, AI-assisted functionality may be used in connection with tree documentation or comparisons of before-and-after photographs.

Information necessary to provide these features may be processed by systems used to operate the applicable verification functionality.

AI-assisted results are part of the documentation workflow and should not be interpreted as a substitute for applicable laws, safety standards, insurance coverage decisions, or professional judgment.

9. Service Providers and Third-Party Services

TRDS may use service providers and technology platforms to support the operation of the website and FDS.

These services may support functions such as application hosting, data storage, authentication, communications, location-related functionality, payment or billing functionality, application infrastructure, and AI-assisted features.

Information may be processed by these services when necessary to provide the applicable functionality.

As our services develop, additional information about material service providers may be added to this Privacy Policy when appropriate.

10. Payments and Billing

FDS may include account, subscription, or billing functionality.

When payment or subscription functionality is provided through a third-party payment platform or application marketplace, payment information may be processed by that provider in accordance with its own privacy and security practices.

TRDS may receive information relating to account or subscription status that is necessary to determine access to applicable FDS functionality.

This policy does not claim that TRDS directly receives or stores complete payment-card information.

11. Data Storage and Security

TRDS uses administrative, technical, and operational measures intended to protect information and support the reliable operation of its services.

No method of electronic transmission, processing, or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should also take reasonable steps to protect their account credentials and devices.

12. Data Retention

TRDS retains information for periods appropriate to the purposes for which the information is collected, including providing FDS functionality, maintaining job documentation, supporting business and operational requirements, resolving issues, and meeting applicable legal or contractual obligations.

Different categories of information may be retained for different periods.

As our retention practices are further documented and standardized, this policy may be updated to provide additional information about applicable retention periods.

13. Your Choices and Device Permissions

Depending on your device and how you use FDS, you may be able to manage permissions such as location and camera access through your device settings.

Certain permissions are necessary for core FDS field-documentation features. Disabling those permissions may limit or prevent those features from working.

Authorized users who need assistance with their account or information may contact TRDS using the contact information provided below.

14. Access, Correction, and Deletion Requests

If you have questions about personal information associated with your account, or wish to request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information, you may contact TRDS at:

info@trds.net

Requests may require verification before they can be processed.

Certain information may need to be retained when necessary for legitimate business, documentation, contractual, security, or legal purposes. A request therefore may not always result in immediate deletion of every record associated with a documented job.

15. Website Information

When you visit trds.net, certain technical information may be processed as part of providing the website, such as information necessary for web requests, security, and normal website operation.

TRDS uses Cloudflare Web Analytics to understand how the website is used, such as how many people visit, which pages are viewed, how visitors arrived at the site, the general country of the visit, and the type of device and browser used. Cloudflare Web Analytics does not use cookies or similar browser storage for this purpose, and TRDS uses this information only in aggregate to measure and improve the website.

The FDS mobile application is not covered by this website analytics. If TRDS introduces additional tracking technologies, cookies, advertising technologies, or similar functionality that materially changes our privacy practices, this Privacy Policy will be updated accordingly.

16. Children’s Privacy

TRDS and FDS are intended for professional and business use and are not directed to children.

If TRDS becomes aware that personal information from a child has been collected in a manner inconsistent with applicable requirements, we will take appropriate steps to address the information.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as FDS, the TRDS website, our technology, or our privacy practices change.

When the policy is updated, the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will be revised.

Material changes may also be communicated through other appropriate means when necessary.

18. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or TRDS privacy practices may be directed to: