Privacy Information and Policy

This document outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you use the Social matches websites and mobile applications (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy and are at least 18 years old (or have parental/guardian consent). If you do not agree, you may not use the Service.

Important Privacy Information

To provide our services, we collect specific personal data, including:

Voluntarily Provided Data: Your date of birth, gender, name, and responses to lifestyle-related questions.
Automatically Collected Data: Device details such as language settings, IP address, time zone, device type/model, operating system, Internet service provider, mobile carrier, hardware ID, Facebook ID, and advertising identifiers (e.g., IDFA, AAID).

This data enables us to:

Operate and enhance the Service.
Deliver personalized advertisements.
Analyze user interactions (e.g., subscription frequency, prioritized features).
Improve user experience and product quality.

We use third-party tools (e.g., Amazon, Amplitude, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Pinterest, Customer.io, Stripe, Chargebee, Intercom) for analytics, service improvement, and ad management. Some data is processed and stored on these providers' servers. For detailed information on data handling (Section 2), your privacy rights (Section 5), and the data controller (Section 12), refer to the full Privacy Policy below.

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains the types of personal data we collect, how it is processed, shared, and how you can manage it. The English version at https://socialmatches.com/privacy.html is the legally binding version, prevailing over any translated versions provided for convenience.

Key Definitions:

GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, governing data protection in the EU/EEA.
EU/EEA: European Union and European Economic Area member countries.
Process: Any operation involving personal data (e.g., collection, storage, sharing).
CCPA: California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018.

1. Categories of Personal Data We Collect

We collect data you provide, data gathered automatically, and data from third parties.

1.1 Data You Provide

Information shared during interactions with our consultants or advisors, such as:

Email, name, country of residence, and search preferences.

1.2 Data Automatically Collected

Referral Information: Data on how you discovered our Service (e.g., referring app or URL from ad clicks).
Device and Location Information: Details like language settings, IP address, time zone, device type/model, settings, operating system, Internet provider, mobile carrier, hardware ID, and Facebook ID.
Interaction Data: Records of your engagement, including clicks, taps, features used, content viewed, and duration/frequency of Service use.
Advertising Identifiers: Apple IDFA or Google AAID, depending on your device's operating system (resettable via device settings).
Payment Information: Transaction details (e.g., date, time, amount, payment method type) from third-party processors. We may receive tokenized credit/debit card data for repeat purchase options or payment-related offers but do not store full card numbers.
Cookies: Small text files (session or persistent) stored on your device to recognize you on return visits and auto-populate fields. Tracking pixels also set cookies for ad delivery. See our Cookie Policy for details.
Chat and Support Communications: Interactions with consultants, advisors, or customer support to ensure Service quality, safety, and compliance.

2. Purposes for Processing Your Personal Data

We process your data for the following purposes:

2.1 Deliver the Service

Ensure seamless access and functionality, resolve technical issues, and send purchase receipts to your provided email.
Use Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud storage and backend support.

2.2 Personalize Your Experience

Tailor content and offers based on your goals, preferences (e.g., gender), and interactions.

2.3 Provide Customer Support

Address technical or informational requests via notifications or emails about Service performance, security, payments, or policy updates.
Use Intercom for in-app communication (see Intercom's Privacy Policy).

2.4 Communicate About Service Usage

Send emails about Service features, updates, or performance, tracking interactions (e.g., email opens, link clicks).

2.5 Analyze and Research Service Usage

Conduct statistical analysis to improve features, user experience, and new offerings using tools like:

Facebook Analytics: Aggregated demographic and interaction insights.
Google Analytics: Website interaction and ad performance data (manage via browser plug-in).
Amplitude: Behavioral analysis (e.g., device type, time zone, IDFA).
Firebase Remote Config/Analytics: Content testing and user behavior analysis (see Google's Privacy Policy).

2.6 Send Marketing Communications

Add your email to our marketing list for product updates and offers via SendPulse. Unsubscribe using the email footer link.

2.7 Customize Advertising

Use data to deliver targeted ads (e.g., via Facebook, Google) based on your interactions.

Opt-Out Options:

Website: Adjust preferences via the Consent Management Platform (Privacy button, lower right corner).
iOS: Enable "Limit Ad Tracking" or reset IDFA in Settings > Privacy > Advertising.
Android: Opt out of interest-based ads or reset AAID in Google Settings > Ads.
Resources: Network Advertising Initiative, Digital Advertising Alliance (US, Canada, EU), DAA AppChoices.
Browser Settings: Block cookies via Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari settings.

Third-Party Ad Tools:

Facebook Pixel/Ads Manager/Custom Audiences: Tracks ad effectiveness and targets audiences (manage via Facebook settings).
Twitter Ads: Location- or interest-based ads (opt out via Twitter's Privacy Policy).
Pinterest Ads: Interest-based ads (see Pinterest's Privacy Policy).

2.8 Handle Payments

Use third-party processors (e.g., Stripe, Chargebee) to manage transactions securely, receiving tokenized card data for repeat offers or payment failure recovery.

2.9 Enforce Terms and Prevent Fraud

Analyze communications and data to ensure compliance, address fraud, or investigate violations, potentially sharing data with authorities.

2.10 Meet Legal Requirements

Process or disclose data as required by law or legal requests.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA Users Only)

For EEA users, we process data based on:

Consent: For marketing communications, cookies, and tracking technologies (withdrawable via email unsubscribe or Consent Management Platform).
Contractual Obligations: To provide the Service, personalize content, manage accounts, offer support, communicate, and process payments.
Legitimate Interests: To encourage Service use, analyze usage, handle tokenized payment data, personalize ads, and enforce terms/prevent fraud.
Legal Obligations: To comply with legal requirements.

4. Who We Share Your Data With

We share data with:

Service Providers: For cloud storage (Amazon), analytics (Facebook, Google, Amplitude), and marketing (Facebook, Google, Pinterest, Twitter, SendPulse).
Law Enforcement/Public Authorities: To enforce terms, protect rights, or comply with legal requests.
Business Transactions: During mergers, asset sales, or bankruptcy, data may be transferred to affiliates or third parties.

5. Your Privacy Rights

You can:

Access, Review, Update, or Correct Data: Contact info@socialmatches.com to modify or request a copy of your data.
Request Deletion: Email info@socialmatches.com to delete your data, subject to legal retention requirements.
Delete Your Account:
- Navigate to Profile > Settings > Account > "Delete my account."
- Account deactivates for 30 days, then is permanently deleted (no refunds post-deletion).
Object or Restrict Data Use: Request via info@socialmatches.com.

EEA Users:

Lodge a Complaint: Contact a local EU data protection authority.
Data Portability: Request data in a machine-readable format via info@socialmatches.com.

California Residents (CCPA):

Right to Know: Request details on collected, used, or disclosed data.
Right to Delete: Request data deletion.
Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of data sales via provided link.
Non-Discrimination: No service denial or price changes for exercising rights.
Authorized Agent: Agents may request on your behalf with verification.
Shine the Light Law: Request third-party marketing data annually via info@socialmatches.com with "Request for California Privacy Information" in the subject line.