Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

Account Information:

• Email address (required for authentication)
• Username (chosen during registration)
• Profile information (optional bio, profile picture)

Financial Verification Data:

• When you opt into financial verification, we collect verification status through secure third-party providers
• We store only your verified tier status, not your actual financial details
• Financial verification is optional and used solely for tier community placement

User-Generated Content:

• Posts, comments, and messages you create
• Polls and poll responses
• Images and media you upload
• Interactions (likes, saves, shares)

Communications:

• Messages you send to other users
• Support inquiries and feedback you submit

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data:

• App features you access
• Time spent on the App
• Interactions with content
• Search queries

Device Information:

• Device type and model
• Operating system and version
• Unique device identifiers
• IP address

Analytics Data:

• App performance metrics
• Crash reports and diagnostics
• Feature usage statistics

1.3 Firebase Analytics

We use Firebase Analytics, a service provided by Google LLC, to collect and analyze usage data. Firebase Analytics collects:

• App usage and engagement metrics
• User demographics (aggregated)
• Device and platform information
• App performance data

Firebase Analytics uses device identifiers and may set cookies or similar technologies. Data collected through Firebase is processed in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy. You can learn more about Google's practices at https://policies.google.com/privacy.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide and Maintain the Service:

• Create and manage your account
• Enable you to post content and interact with others
• Process financial verification requests
• Facilitate messaging between users

Improve the Service:

• Analyze usage patterns to enhance features
• Identify and fix bugs and issues
• Develop new features and functionality
• Conduct research and analytics

Communicate with You:

• Send notifications about activity on your account
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send important updates about the Service
• Notify you of changes to our policies

Ensure Safety and Security:

• Detect and prevent fraud and abuse
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights and safety of users
• Comply with legal obligations

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 Public Information

Certain information is visible to other users:

• Your username and profile information
• Your verified tier status (if you opt into verification)
• Your public posts and comments
• Your follower/following relationships

3.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Service:

• Cloud Infrastructure: Data storage and processing
• Analytics Providers: Usage analysis and reporting (Firebase Analytics)
• Financial Verification Partners: Processing verification requests
• Push Notification Services: Delivering notifications

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

3.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required by law or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations or court orders
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of users or others
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud or security issues

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information in other ways if you give us explicit consent to do so.

4. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

• Your account is active
• Necessary to provide the Service
• Required for legitimate business purposes
• Required by law

Specific Retention Periods:

• Account data: Retained while account is active, deleted upon account deletion request
• User content: Retained while account is active, deleted upon account deletion request
• Analytics data: Retained in aggregated form for up to 26 months
• Support communications: Retained for up to 3 years

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

5. Data Deletion

5.1 Account Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and associated data by:

• Using the account deletion feature in App settings
• Contacting us at support@brackets.social

Upon account deletion:

• Your profile and account information will be deleted
• Your posts and comments will be deleted or anonymized
• Your messages may be retained in recipients' accounts
• Some information may be retained as required by law

5.2 Content Deletion

You can delete individual posts and comments at any time through the App. Deleted content is removed from our servers, though cached copies may persist temporarily.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information.
• Portability: Request a portable copy of your data in a common format.
• Objection: Object to certain processing of your personal information.
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@brackets.social. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication mechanisms
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Monitoring for security threats

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. 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.

When we transfer your information internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards to protect your information, including:

• Standard contractual clauses
• Data processing agreements
• Compliance with applicable data transfer mechanisms

9. Children's Privacy

Brackets is not directed at children under 13 years of age.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will promptly delete such information.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at support@brackets.social.

10. Your Choices

10.1 Account Information

You can update your account information at any time through the App settings.

10.2 Notifications

You can manage notification preferences in the App settings, including:

• Push notifications
• Email notifications
• In-app notification preferences

10.3 Financial Verification

Financial verification is optional. You can choose not to participate in tier verification and still use the App with limited tier features.

10.4 Content Visibility

You can control who sees your content through privacy settings where available.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party services you access.

12. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: Request information about categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information).
• Non-Discrimination: Not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@brackets.social.

13. European Privacy Rights

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Legal Bases for Processing:

• Consent (which you can withdraw at any time)
• Performance of a contract (providing the Service)
• Legitimate interests (improving the Service, security)
• Legal obligations

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

14. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy in the App
• Sending you an email notification
• Displaying a notice in the App

Your continued use of the Service after the updated Privacy Policy becomes effective constitutes acceptance of the changes.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: