Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

VibeCircle ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service").

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Email address, username, password (encrypted), display name, bio, and profile photo
• Profile Customization: Banner colors, profile badges, frames, and titles purchased through in-app purchases
• Content: Posts (text, images, videos), comments, likes, reposts, bookmarks, and direct messages
• Social Interactions: Follower/following relationships, blocked users, and reported content
• Preferences: Topic interests, content preferences ("not interested" posts), privacy settings (private/public profile, searchability)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: App interactions, features used, time spent in app, posts viewed
• Push Notification Tokens: Expo push tokens for sending notifications (stored with device platform and last seen timestamp)
• Log Data: IP address, access times, app crashes, and performance data

2.3 Third-Party Data Collection

We use the following third-party services that may collect data:

• RevenueCat: Processes in-app purchases and subscription management. Collects purchase history, transaction IDs, and subscription status. See RevenueCat's Privacy Policy
• Expo Notifications: Manages push notification delivery. Collects device tokens and notification interaction data. See Expo's Privacy Policy
• Uploadcare: Handles image and video uploads. Processes media files you upload. See Uploadcare's Privacy Policy

3. How We Use Your Information

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Personalize your experience and content recommendations based on your topic interests and interactions
• Send you notifications about likes, comments, follows, reposts, and direct messages (if enabled)
• Send promotional updates and announcements (only if you explicitly opt in)
• Process in-app purchases and manage premium subscriptions
• Respond to your requests, comments, and questions
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, and abuse
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Public Content: Posts, comments, profile information (if public), and interactions are visible to other users
• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf (hosting, analytics, payment processing, push notifications)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and safety
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share your information

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
• Posts and Content: Retained until you delete them or your account
• Direct Messages: Retained until deleted by you or the recipient
• Usage and Analytics Data: Typically retained for 12-24 months
• Legal/Compliance Data: Retained as required by law

After account deletion, we may retain certain information in anonymized or aggregated form for analytics and legal compliance purposes.

6. Your Rights and Choices

• Access and Update: View and edit your profile information in Account Settings
• Delete Content: Delete your posts, comments, and direct messages at any time
• Privacy Controls: Make your profile private, disable searchability, block users
• Notification Preferences: Manage push notification settings in Account Settings
• Topic Interests: Adjust your content preferences in For You Tuning
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data by contacting us
• Account Deletion: Delete your account and associated data in Account Settings (some data may be retained as described in Section 5)
• Revoke Consent: Withdraw consent for promotional notifications or data processing at any time

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption of passwords using industry-standard hashing (Argon2), secure data transmission (HTTPS), and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to our facilities and service providers globally.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy in the app and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@vibecircle.app
• In-App: Account Settings → Privacy & Data