FindMe Nearby – Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

FindMe Nearby is a mobile application that helps users discover nearby people and view the social media profiles and information they choose to share. This Privacy Policy applies only to the FindMe Nearby app.

2. What data we collect

2.1 Account Data

• Email address (for login and password reset)
• Username
• Authentication data via Firebase Authentication

Your email address is used only for login, account verification and password reset. It is not shown to other users inside the app.

Your username is visible to other users and may appear in nearby user lists and profile views. You can change your username at any time from the Settings screen, as long as the new name is available and complies with our reasonable naming rules (for example, to prevent impersonation or abusive names).

Authentication is handled by Firebase Authentication. We do not store your password in plain text and we never have access to your actual password.

2.2 Profile Data (Optional)

• Profile photo
• Profile rows (apps/services you choose to display)
• Comment or bio text
• Social media usernames (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X and similar services)

If you choose to upload a profile photo, the app may request permission to access your device’s photo library solely so you can select an image. We only access the photo you explicitly choose, and it is uploaded to our servers to be used as your profile image. We do not access, scan, or collect other photos from your library.

If you deny photo library access, you may not be able to upload or change your profile photo inside the app. You can allow or update this permission later in your device settings.

All profile information is voluntarily provided and may be visible to other users as part of FindMe Nearby’s discovery features.

When you add social media usernames, we generate links so that other users can tap and visit your public profiles on those third-party services. We do not collect your social media passwords, private messages, or other content from those services. You can edit or remove your profile rows and social media usernames at any time in the profile settings, and removed items will no longer be shown to other users.

2.3 Location Data

With your explicit permission, we collect:

• Approximate GPS coordinates
• Derived GeoHash values
• Activity timestamps (e.g., lastUpdated, lastAppclose)

Location data is collected only when the app is in use and solely for nearby discovery functionality.

We may use your last known location to send you proximity-based notifications, even if you are not actively using the app, until your location data is removed according to the retention rules described below.

If location services are disabled or permission is denied, nearby discovery features may not function properly.

2.4 Usage & Device Data

• Push notification token
• Device language and app version
• Crash logs and technical diagnostics

Push notifications are used solely for app-related alerts and proximity-based updates. You may disable notifications at any time in your device settings.

3. How we use your data

We use your data to:

• Create and manage your account
• Display your profile to nearby users
• Provide real-time proximity-based discovery
• Send proximity-related push notifications
• Maintain security and prevent abuse

We do not use your personal data for third-party advertising or cross-app tracking.

4. Legal basis (EU/EEA users)

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, we process your data under the following legal bases:

• Contract necessity – to provide core app features
• Legitimate interests – to ensure security and system integrity
• Consent – for location services and notifications

5. How we share your data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties.

We may share data with:

• Service providers: Firebase and Google Cloud (hosting, authentication, notifications)
• Other users: Only profile data you choose to make visible

In-app web content and external links

When you access the Privacy Policy or other web content from within the app, the content may be displayed using an in-app browser interface provided by your operating system (for example, Safari View Controller on iOS). We do not collect additional personal data through this in-app browser beyond what is described in this Privacy Policy.

External websites you visit may process your data according to their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing those policies before providing personal information.

When another user taps a social media icon or link on your profile, the app opens the corresponding service (for example, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X or similar platforms) via a URL or deep link. Any data processed by those services is handled under their own privacy policies.

6. Data storage & retention

Account and profile data are stored as long as your account remains active.

When you delete your account, your personal data is permanently removed from our active systems.

Location and presence data are retained for a limited operational period (for example, hours or days) to ensure accurate nearby discovery. Outdated location records are automatically removed or overwritten.

Certain technical logs or encrypted backups may be retained temporarily for security, fraud prevention, and system integrity purposes. Such data is not used for marketing or profiling.

7. Account deletion

You may permanently delete your account at any time within the app via the "Delete Account" option in Settings.

When you delete your account:

• Your Firebase Authentication account is permanently deleted
• Your profile data and stored content are removed
• Your location records are deleted
• Your profile images stored under your user directory are removed

8. International data transfers

FindMe Nearby uses Firebase and Google Cloud infrastructure. Your data may be processed and stored in countries outside your country of residence, including the United States and other regions where our service providers operate.

Appropriate safeguards are applied in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

9. Your data protection rights (EU/EEA)

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have the following rights:

• Right of access
• Right to rectification
• Right to erasure
• Right to restriction of processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object
• Right to lodge a complaint

You may exercise these rights by contacting us.

10. Visibility & active status

You may control whether you are visible to other users. If you log out or set your status to inactive, your profile will not appear in nearby discovery results and other users will not be able to see you in the app. While your status is inactive, you will also not be able to view nearby users.

11. Children’s privacy

FindMe Nearby is not intended for users under the age of 16.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date will be updated accordingly.