By design, Travel Mates share more info with each other than strangers do, to facilitate meetups and communication:
- Location/status visibility: If you have location services on, your Travel Mates might see when you’re checked in somewhere or roughly where you are. For example, they might see a note that “You are currently at Alice Springs” or “Travelling near Byron Bay” if you’ve allowed location sharing. It won’t usually show your exact campsite number or anything ultra-specific – just general location or the fact you’re in the area. You can configure this in settings and you can always toggle your check-in off if you don’t want to broadcast your whereabouts.)
- Profile info and contact: Travel Mates can of course see your basic profile (name, photo, bio, badges) like anyone. The in-app chat is always available between Travel Mates.
- All of this is reciprocal – your mates see yours, you see theirs. If at any time you’re not comfortable, you can adjust your privacy or un-friend (remove) a Travel Mate. The feature is meant to enhance fun and friendship, not to intrude on privacy, so you remain in control.