Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

At VibeTribe, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your data when you use our mobile application and web platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

• Anonymous identifiers: We generate unique, anonymous IDs for each user
• Authentication data: Managed securely through Firebase Authentication
• Email address: Used for account recovery and payment receipts (if you subscribe to Premium)

1.2 Profile Information

• Display name: Optional username or nickname
• Current emotion/mood: Selected emotions used for matching with other users
• Location data: Approximate city/campus location (not precise GPS coordinates)

1.3 Usage Data

• Match history: Record of users you've matched with
• Messages: Chat messages are stored temporarily to enable conversations
• Usage statistics: Number of matches made, messages sent, games played
• App interactions: Features you use, buttons you click, time spent in app

1.4 Payment Information

• Subscription data: Premium tier status, subscription dates, billing cycle
• Payment details: Processed securely by Stripe or Square (we never store your full card number)
• Transaction history: Records of payments made for your subscription

1.5 Device Information

• Device type: Mobile device model and operating system
• App version: Which version of VibeTribe you're using
• IP address: Used for security and approximate location

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide the service: Enable matching, messaging, and all app features
• Personalize experience: Match you with users who share similar emotions
• Process payments: Handle Premium subscriptions and billing
• Improve the app: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and fix bugs
• Ensure safety: Moderate content, prevent abuse, and enforce community guidelines
• Communicate with you: Send important updates, receipts, and notifications
• Comply with law: Meet legal obligations and respond to valid legal requests

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 With Other Users

• Your display name and current emotion are visible to matched users
• Messages you send are shared with the recipient
• VibePulse posts (if you're a Premium user) are visible to all users

3.2 With Service Providers

• Firebase (Google): Provides hosting, database, authentication, and analytics
• Stripe/Square: Processes payments securely (PCI-DSS compliant)
• Render.com: Hosts our backend API servers
• SendGrid: Sends email receipts and notifications

3.3 We Do NOT:

• ❌ Sell your personal information to third parties
• ❌ Share your messages with advertisers
• ❌ Use your data for targeted advertising
• ❌ Share your location data with other users beyond general city/campus

4. Your Privacy Choices

4.1 Control Your Data

• Update profile: Change your display name or emotion anytime
• Delete messages: You can delete individual messages
• Block users: Prevent specific users from contacting you
• Cancel subscription: Stop Premium billing anytime (see Refund Policy)

4.2 Account Deletion

You can request full account deletion by contacting support@vibetribeapp.xyz. We will:

• Delete your account within 30 days
• Remove your profile information
• Delete your messages (except those required for legal compliance)
• Cancel any active subscriptions

Note: Some data may be retained for legal or security purposes (e.g., transaction records, moderation logs).

5. Data Security

We take security seriously and implement industry-standard measures:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest
• Secure authentication: Firebase Authentication uses secure tokens
• Payment security: Card data is handled by PCI-DSS compliant processors
• Access controls: Limited employee access to user data
• Regular audits: Security reviews and updates

However: No system is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. User Responsibility

Important: VibeTribe is an anonymous matching platform. To protect your privacy:

• ❌ Never share personal information in chats (phone numbers, addresses, social media)
• ❌ Don't send sensitive photos or documents
• ✅ Use the app responsibly and follow our Community Guidelines
• ✅ Report inappropriate behavior using the report button

VibeTribe is not responsible for information you voluntarily share with other users.

7. Children's Privacy

VibeTribe is intended for college students ages 17 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 17. If we discover a user under 17, we will delete their account immediately.

If you believe a minor is using VibeTribe, please contact us immediately.

8. International Users

VibeTribe is based in the United States. If you access our service from outside the U.S., your data will be transferred to and stored in the U.S. By using VibeTribe, you consent to this transfer.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

Continued use of VibeTribe after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Your Rights (GDPR/CCPA)

Depending on your location, you may have additional rights:

• Access: Request a copy of your data
• Correction: Update inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request account deletion
• Portability: Export your data
• Opt-out: Decline certain data processing activities

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@vibetribeapp.xyz

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