Hitchhyke’s law enforcement support

If Hitchhyke has information necessary to assist law enforcement or government agencies, we will make it available when presented with valid legal process. We have a dedicated process for law enforcement officers to submit lawful requests for data from Hitchhyke.

To submit a request to the Hitchhyke Team, law enforcement or government agencies conducting criminal investigations should submit their request through the 'Contact Us' form on our website.

This is the central place for law enforcement to securely submit requests to us. Please note that acceptance of legal process by these means is for convenience and does not waive any objections, including, but not limited to, lack of jurisdiction or proper service.

Please review the below Guidelines prior to submitting a request. These legal process guidelines are designed to help government and law enforcement agencies understand the data we have and how to properly submit requests in order to receive prompt responses.

Law Enforcement Request Guidelines:

The following guidelines are intended to provide guidance to law enforcement officials about the legal process for seeking records from Hitchhyke.

What is Hitchhyke and what records do we have?

• Hitchhyke is a technology company that operates an application, website, and technology platform which provides a marketplace where individuals seeking transportation to specific locations ("Riders") can connect with available transportation options to reach their desired destinations. Riders can request a ride from rideshare drivers who are heading to or passing through those destinations ("Drivers") -- both referred to as "Users" collectively.
• Hitchhyke does not provide transportation services, and Hitchhyke is not a transportation carrier. Riders can use the Hitchhyke application to request a ride from a driver using the Hitchhyke platform. If using the platform to request ride from a driver, both the rider and driver receive a copy of the fare receipt.
• We store and maintain information as described in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Notwithstanding anything in our Privacy Policy that may otherwise allow disclosure, this Law Enforcement Request policy shall govern how we will respond to law enforcement requests for User information.

What type of legal process does Hitchhyke require before producing user information?

• We require valid and sufficient legal process before disclosing any business records. We will not be able to produce any records unless we receive a subpoena issued in connection with an official criminal investigation to compel the disclosure of basic information. We require a search warrant issued pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure or equivalent regional warrant to compel disclosure of certain communications between people using Hitchhyke or GPS location information. The warrant must demonstrate that probable cause exists in order for us to disclose such communications or GPS location information.
• Exceptions to these requirements may be available for emergency and exigent requests, where a user has provided consent, or - for requests that do not require a warrant - where other legal or regulatory standards apply.

What form of requests does Hitchhyke require?

• Hitchhyke is unable to process overly broad, vague, or unduly burdensome requests. Please ensure that your request is narrowly tailored to a legitimate law enforcement need.
• We will only consider law enforcement requests that satisfy the applicable process above and adhere to the following guidelines:
  1. Requests must be typed; handwritten requests will not be accepted
  2. Duly signed and stamped by the appropriate law enforcement officer who is empowered by local law to represent the law enforcement unit that is making the request;
  3. In compliance with local and/or United States law; and
  4. Addressed to Hitchhyke LLC directly.
• Requests must contain the following detailed information:
  • All known email addresses, names, and aliases of data subject or all known physical addresses and telephone numbers of the data subject;
  • Your name, department, title, street address, telephone number and official government domain email address;
  • Clearly identify the investigation or specific event that took place that is the underlying basis for the request;
  • Specify date/time/location(s);
  • Exactly what information you’re requesting, why you’re requesting it, and how it pertains to your investigation; and
  • If applicable, Non-Disclosure Order issued by a Court or relevant legal authority supporting non-disclosure.
  • The applicable act or law under which the law enforcement agency is requesting the data.
• We disclose data to law enforcement and other government agencies when we determine that we are required to do so by law. In those instances, we will search for and disclose data that we are reasonably able to locate and retrieve.
• Please note that we only review and respond to requests from law enforcement or government agencies submitted in this manner and through this process.
• We will not respond to requests or civil subpoenas sent by non-law enforcement officials.

How does Hitchhyke handle emergency requests?

• We have a process for evaluating requests on an expedited basis where an emergency situation exists involving an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm to a person. If Law enforcement seeks information to assist in the handling of an emergency or exigent situation, we may produce information in the absence of a subpoena or warrant where evidence is provided demonstrating an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm to a person. In these events, we require that valid and sufficient legal process be produced within three days of production of the information.
• Emergency requests may be submitted directly to Hitchhyke’s Team as set forth here. When submitting requests, Law Enforcement officials should note in the subject line: ‘Emergency Disclosure Request’ and describe in detail the nature of the emergency. We review these requests on a case-by-case basis.
• Please note that we will only review and respond to emergency requests from law enforcement. We will not respond to emergency requests sent to us by non-law enforcement officials.
• Non-law enforcement officials aware of an emergency situation should immediately and directly contact local law enforcement officials.

Does Hitchhyke notify individuals of a law enforcement request for information relating to them?

• It is our policy to provide notice to Users before producing their information in response to a criminal investigation by law enforcement unless (i) we are prohibited by law from doing so, (ii) we have reason to believe the subject’s Hitchhyke account has been compromised such that the notice would go to the wrong person, or notice would otherwise be counterproductive or would create a risk to safety, or (iii) it is an emergency request and prior notice would be impractical (in which case we may provide notice after the fact).
• Law enforcement officials who do not want their request disclosed must provide an appropriate court order or process establishing that notice is prohibited, or provide sufficient detail for Hitchhyke to determine whether a request falls into one of the exceptions above. Regulatory or other non-criminal requests for information are not within the scope of this policy.
• In the event that information is provided subject to a gag order or disclosed pursuant to an emergency request, Hitchhyke will provide notice to its users of these government demands if Hitchhyke is thereafter notified that the gag order or the emergency has expired.

How does Hitchhyke report emergency situations to law enforcement?

• Hitchhyke will contact law enforcement via robocall and provide a weblink and 6-digit code to live-view each reported ride.
• Law enforcement officials will be able to go to a dedicated page (emergency.hitchhyke.us), enter the related 6-digit code that was provided to them via robocall, and view and investigate the details of rides reported on the Hitchhyke platform.
  For each ride, they will be able to see:
  • Your Pickup & Drop-off Locations
  • Your Pickup & Drop-off Times
  • Your Current Location
  • The rider's name, age, gender, verification documents (if provided), and contact information
  • The driver's name, verification documents, profile picture, contact information, and vehicle details
• Please Note: the live-view of a reported ride will only be available to law enforcement for 24 hours after it is reported.