At LinkUp BU, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and related services.
By using LinkUp BU, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
📋 Table of Contents
1. 📊 Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
When you create an account and use LinkUp BU, we collect information you provide to us, including:
- Account Information: Email address, username, display name
- Profile Information: Bio, age, location, gender, interests
- Profile Photos: Images you upload to your profile
- Communications: Messages you send in chats and hangouts
- Feedback: Reviews, ratings, and feedback you provide
Information We Collect Automatically
When you use our app, we automatically collect certain information:
- Usage Data: How you interact with the app, features used, time spent
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version
- Performance Data: Crash reports, error logs, app performance metrics
- Online Status: When you're active in the app
2. 🎯 How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Information Used | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Account Creation & Authentication | Email, username, authentication tokens | Contract Performance |
| Profile Matching & Hangouts | Profile info, interests, location, age | Contract Performance |
| Communication Features | Messages, profile info, online status | Contract Performance |
| App Improvement & Analytics | Usage data, performance metrics | Legitimate Interest |
| Safety & Security | All collected information as needed | Legitimate Interest |
| Customer Support | Account info, usage data, communications | Legitimate Interest |
3. 🤝 Information Sharing and Disclosure
With Other Users
When you use LinkUp BU, certain information is shared with other users:
- Profile information (name, bio, age, interests, photos)
- Messages in group chats and hangouts
- Online status when participating in hangouts
With Service Providers
We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate our app:
- Google/Firebase: Authentication, database, storage, analytics
- Cloud Function Providers: For invite processing
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or to:
- Comply with legal processes or government requests
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Investigate potential violations of our Terms of Service
- Prevent fraud or illegal activities
4. 🔗 Third-Party Services
LinkUp BU integrates with several third-party services:
Firebase Services (Google)
- Firebase Authentication: Secure account login and management
- Cloud Firestore: Real-time database for app data
- Firebase Storage: Secure storage for profile photos
- Firebase Analytics: App usage analytics and insights
- Firebase Crashlytics: Crash reporting and app stability
Google Sign-In
When you sign in with Google, we receive basic profile information (name, email) as permitted by your Google account settings.
Each third-party service has its own privacy policy:
5. 🔒 Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
- Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest
- Access Controls: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
- Firebase Security: Google's enterprise-grade security infrastructure
- Regular Updates: We keep our security measures current
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats
6. 📅 Data Retention
We retain your personal information for different periods depending on the type of data:
| Data Type | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Account Information | Until account deletion | Provide service functionality |
| Profile Data & Photos | Until account deletion | Core app features |
| Messages & Chat History | Until account deletion | User experience and safety |
| Usage Analytics | 26 months (Google Analytics default) | App improvement and insights |
| Crash Reports | 90 days | App stability and debugging |
| Legal/Safety Records | As required by law | Compliance and safety |
7. ⚖️ Your Rights and Choices
Account Management
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Correction: Update or correct your profile information in-app
- Deletion: Request permanent deletion of your account and data
- Data Portability: Request your data in a structured format
Privacy Controls
- Profile visibility settings
- Location sharing preferences
- Communication preferences
- Notification settings
Account Deletion
You can request permanent deletion of your account and all associated data:
8. 👶 Children's Privacy
LinkUp BU is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will:
- Delete the information immediately
- Terminate the associated account
- Not use the information for any purpose
If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at jordan@linkupbu.com.
9. 🌍 International Data Transfers
Your information may be stored and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from your country.
We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers:
- Google/Firebase: Complies with applicable data protection frameworks
- Security Measures: Encryption and access controls regardless of location
- Legal Protections: Contractual obligations with service providers
10. 📝 Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:
- We will post the updated policy on this page
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- For significant changes, we will notify you through the app or email
- Your continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
We recommend reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
11. 📧 Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
When contacting us about privacy matters, please include:
- Your account email address
- A clear description of your request or concern
- Any relevant details that will help us assist you