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Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

PinPulse collects the following types of information:

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, name, and authentication details.
• Profile Information: You may choose to provide additional profile information such as a profile picture and bio.
• Content: We collect the content you create and share through our service, including place updates, discussion messages, media files, and custom map markers.
• Usage Data: We collect information about how you use our app, including interactions with features and performance data.
• Device Information: We may collect device-specific information such as your device model, operating system, and app version.
• Location Information: With your permission, we collect your device's precise or approximate location to show nearby place activity and relevant content. This includes both foreground location (when the app is open) and background location (when the app is closed or backgrounded) to provide timely location-based notifications. You can control location permissions in your device settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain our service
• Personalize your experience
• Communicate with you about our service
• Improve our app and develop new features
• Ensure the security and integrity of our service
• Send relevant location-based notifications about nearby place activity and conversations
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Background Location Usage

PinPulse may request permission to access your location even when the app is not actively in use (background location). This feature is optional and designed to enhance your experience by:

• Timely Notifications: Sending you notifications about nearby place activity and conversations when you're in the vicinity, even when the app is closed
• Relevant Content: Ensuring you don't miss important local discussions and place updates happening around you
• Battery Optimization: Using smart algorithms to update your location only when you've moved significantly (typically 200+ meters) or when sufficient time has passed

Your Control: Background location is completely optional. You can:

• Decline the permission when first prompted
• Disable it anytime through your device's Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > PinPulse
• Continue using all core app features even without background location enabled

Privacy Commitment: Your location data is never shared with other users, sold to advertisers, or used for any purpose beyond delivering PinPulse features. It may be processed by our service providers (such as Firebase) solely to deliver location-based notifications and content on our behalf.

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties, except:

• With your explicit consent
• To comply with legal requirements
• To protect our rights and safety
• In connection with a business transfer or merger
• With trusted third-party service providers (e.g., Firebase, Google Maps, analytics providers, AI services) who assist us in delivering core features of the app. These providers may collect and process data subject to their own privacy policies.

4.1 AI Services and Data Processing

PinPulse uses artificial intelligence (AI) services to enhance your experience:

AI-Powered Features

• Place Insights: We use AI to generate helpful tips and recommendations about places you view (e.g., parking info, best visit times, accessibility notes). Important: Only place names and addresses are sent to our AI provider (Google Gemini). No personal identifiable information (PII) or sensitive data is transmitted. Insights are generated periodically and cached, not in real-time.

Data Sent to AI Services

The following types of data may be sent to our AI service providers:

• For Place Insights: Only place names and addresses. No personal identifiable information (PII), user data, location history, or any sensitive information is transmitted.
• Never sent: Your personal information, account credentials, location history, chat messages, or device information are never sent to AI services

AI Provider Information

• Provider: Google Gemini AI (for Place Insights)
• Purpose: Generate helpful place insights
• Data handling: Subject to Google's AI/API Services Privacy Policy
• Data retention: We do not control how long the AI provider retains data sent through their API

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments
• Limited access to personal information
• Secure data storage practices

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can request a copy of your personal data by emailing support@pinpulse.app
• Correction: You can update or correct your information in your profile settings or by contacting us
• Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and associated data (learn how). We will process deletion requests within 30 days. Note: some data may be retained in system backups for up to 90 days for security and operational reasons, after which it is permanently purged.
• Data Portability: You can request an export of your data by emailing support@pinpulse.app. We aim to respond within 30 days.
• Opt-out: You can opt out of analytics and background location tracking at any time in Profile → Privacy
• Restrict processing: In certain circumstances you may request that we limit how we use your data while a dispute is resolved
• Object to processing: You may object to processing of your data in certain circumstances, including for direct marketing

For users in the EU/EEA (GDPR) or California (CCPA), additional rights apply:

• GDPR: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority if you believe your rights have been violated
• CCPA: We do not sell your personal information. California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete it, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@pinpulse.app.

7. Analytics and Tracking

We use Firebase Analytics and other analytics services to understand how our app is used and improve your experience. These services collect anonymized data that helps us make PinPulse better for everyone.

What Analytics Data We Collect

• App usage patterns: Which features you use, how often, and for how long
• Feature interaction data: When you post place updates, send messages, or use other app features
• Performance metrics: App load times, screen rendering, and responsiveness
• Crash reports: Technical information when the app crashes to help us fix bugs
• Device information: Device model, OS version, screen size, and language settings
• User properties: Non-identifying characteristics like user level, XP, and permission states

Analytics Provider

We use Firebase Analytics by Google, which collects and processes analytics data subject to Google's Firebase Privacy Policy.

What We DO NOT Track

• Your precise location (only general region data may be collected)
• The content of your messages or conversations
• Your personal contact information beyond authentication
• Data from other apps on your device
• Your behavior on other websites or apps

Why We Use Analytics

Analytics helps us:

• Improve app performance: Identify slow screens or features that cause crashes
• Prioritize features: See which features are most valuable to users
• Fix bugs faster: Get notified of errors and crashes automatically
• Optimize user experience: Understand where users get stuck or confused
• Measure growth: Track app adoption and retention

Your Control Over Analytics

While we believe analytics helps us serve you better, you have control:

• Crash reporting: Basic crash and performance data is collected automatically by Firebase to ensure app quality. This cannot be disabled separately from uninstalling the app.
• Usage analytics toggle: Detailed usage analytics (feature interactions, screen views) are controlled by the analytics toggle in Profile → Privacy. Defaults to off; enabling it helps us improve the app.
• Opt-out options: You can limit data collection through your device settings (Settings > Privacy > Analytics & Improvements on iOS)
• Anonymized data: Analytics data cannot identify you personally
• No third-party advertising: We don't use analytics for ad targeting or sell your data

Note: Analytics data is essential for maintaining and improving PinPulse. Disabling analytics may limit our ability to fix bugs that affect your experience.

8. User Content and Community Safety

Because PinPulse is a community-driven platform:

• Content you post (place updates, discussion messages, quick statuses) may be visible to other users.
• You should not share sensitive personal information in public content.
• Place stewards may remove content that violates our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. When you delete your account, we will process your deletion request within 30 days. Your data may persist in system backups for up to 90 days after that, after which it is permanently purged. We may retain limited information longer where required by law or for fraud prevention purposes.

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for users under the minimum age requirement for their platform: 18 years of age on iOS or 16 years of age on Android. We do not knowingly collect personal information from users below these age thresholds. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

12. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

PinPulse is a community-based platform. We are not responsible for the accuracy of user-generated content or for any actions taken by users based on information in the app. Use of the app is at your own risk.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your personal information, please contact us at support@pinpulse.app or through the app's feedback feature.