Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy outlines our approach to data privacy and protection for our upcoming mobile application. This policy will be in effect once our application is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Commitment to Privacy

While our application is currently in development, we are committed to:

• Transparency in our data collection and usage practices
• Protection of user privacy and data security
• Compliance with Apple's privacy guidelines and applicable laws
• Regular updates to our privacy practices as our service evolves

Information We Will Collect

Authentication

We use Sign in with Apple and Sign in with Google for secure authentication. While these services provide email addresses, we specifically choose not to collect or store this information.

Essential Information

We collect only the minimum necessary information:

• Display Name/Nickname:
  • Used for identification within the app
  • Can be a first name or nickname of your choice
  • Visible to other users
  • Can be updated through app settings
• Profile Picture (Optional):
  • Only collected if you choose to upload one
  • Visible to other users
  • Stored securely on our servers
  • Can be removed or updated at any time
• Birthdate: Collected initially for age verification only. After verification:
  • The exact date is obfuscated to retain only age range information
  • Original birthdate is not stored in our database
• Gender: Used for app functionality

User-Generated Content

Our app allows users to create and interact with various types of content:

• Events and Activities:
  • Subject to automatic deletion after completion or expiration
  • Typically retained for [X] days after the event date
  • Historical data may be anonymized for analytics
• Chat Messages:
  • Messages are ephemeral and automatically deleted after [X] days
  • Users can manually delete their messages at any time
  • Deleted messages are permanently removed and cannot be recovered

Advertising

Our app includes third-party advertising to support our free services. Regarding ad-related data:

• Ad providers may collect:
  • Device identifiers (IDFA on iOS, AAID on Android)
  • General location data (country/region level only)
  • Non-personal usage data for ad optimization
• Users can control ad tracking:
  • iOS: Through App Tracking Transparency prompt
  • Android: Through device settings

Device Information

To improve our service, we will collect:

• Basic device type (iOS/Android)
• App performance data
• Error reports

Data Minimization and Protection

We follow privacy-by-design principles:

• No email collection or storage, even when provided by authentication services
• Display names are limited to appropriate content and length
• Birthdate information is processed for verification and immediately obfuscated
• No unnecessary personal data collection
• No data sharing with third parties except where required for app functionality and advertising
• Regular data purging of unnecessary information
• Ad tracking limitations based on user preferences and platform guidelines

Third-Party Services

Our app integrates with the following third-party services:

• Authentication providers (Apple, Google)
• Advertising networks (list will be updated upon launch)

Each third-party service operates under its own privacy policy. We encourage users to review these policies. We carefully select partners who maintain high privacy standards.

Your Choices

Users have control over their privacy:

• Display name can be changed at any time through the app
• Ad tracking preferences can be managed through device settings
• Users can opt out of personalized advertising
• Age and gender information can be updated through the app
• Data deletion requests will be honored within legal requirements

How We Will Use Information

Your information will be used solely for:

• Age verification (birthdate - only during initial verification)
• Core app functionality (gender)
• Service optimization and troubleshooting
• Ensuring app security and preventing misuse

Data Security

We are implementing industry-standard security measures to protect user data, including:

• Secure data encryption in transit and at rest
• Regular security audits
• Secure authentication methods
• Limited data retention periods

Data Retention and Deletion

We implement the following data retention policies:

• Active Data:
  • User profile information (gender, age range) - retained while account is active
  • Current events and activities - until completion or expiration
  • Recent chat messages - for [X] days from creation
• Automatic Deletion:
  • Expired events are automatically removed
  • Chat messages older than [X] days are permanently deleted
  • Inactive accounts may be archived after [X] months of no activity
• Data Recovery:
  • Deleted user-generated content cannot be recovered
  • We do not maintain backups of expired or deleted content
  • System backups are purged according to our retention schedule

Your Rights

Users will have the right to:

• Access their personal information
• Request data deletion
• Opt-out of non-essential data collection
• Request a copy of their data

Account Deletion

We provide two methods for account deletion to ensure you have complete control over your data:

1. In-App Deletion:
   • Access the Settings menu in the app
   • Select "Account" then "Delete Account"
   • Confirm your choice
   • Your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted within 30 days
2. Authentication Provider Deletion:
   • You can revoke app access through your Apple ID or Google Account settings
   • This will trigger our automated deletion process
   • Your account and data will be removed within 30 days
   • For Apple users: You can also use "Sign in with Apple" data deletion

Important notes about account deletion:

• Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone
• All your personal data will be removed from our active systems
• Some data may be retained in encrypted backups for up to 90 days
• We may retain certain non-personal information for analytics
• If required by law, some information may be retained for legal compliance

Data Access and Portability

Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of your personal data, which includes:

• Current stored information:
  • Display name/nickname
  • Current profile picture (if any)
  • Gender preference
  • Age range category (not the original birthdate)
  • Account settings and preferences
  • Active events you've created (if not expired)
  • Recent chat messages (within retention period)
• We do not include in data requests:
  • Original birthdate (as it is not stored after verification)
  • Authentication data (managed by Apple/Google)
  • Advertising data (managed by ad providers)
  • Aggregated or anonymized analytics data
  • Expired or automatically deleted content
  • Messages older than our retention period
  • Content from deleted or deactivated accounts

Important Note About Ephemeral Data

Please be aware that:

• Data export requests only include currently available data
• Expired events, old messages, and automatically deleted content cannot be included
• The availability of user-generated content depends on when you make the request
• We recommend requesting data exports before content expires if you wish to retain it

How to Request Your Data

You can request your data through:

• The app's settings menu
• Emailing our privacy team at privacy@astekita.com

We will process your request within 30 days and provide the data in a commonly used, machine-readable format (JSON or CSV).

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be updated before and after the app launch. Users will be notified of any significant changes through the app or email.

Contact Us

For questions about this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@astekita.com