Effective Date: 01/12/2025
Last Updated: 01/12/2025

Introduction

FriendZ (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information when you use the FriendZ mobile application (the “App”).

By using FriendZ, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Data Controller

FriendZ:
Email: support@joinfriendz.com
Website: https://joinfriendz.com

For any questions or requests regarding your personal data, please contact us at the email above.

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account and use FriendZ, we collect:

• Profile Information: First name, last name, age, gender, birthdate, profile photo
• Interests & Preferences: Activities you’re interested in, event preferences
• Location Data: City or location you manually enter, or approximate location via device (if you grant permission)
• Event Data: Events you create, join, or participate in
• Messages: Group chat messages related to events (stored temporarily)
• Feedback & Reports: User reports, feedback, and support communications

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: App interactions, features used, time spent on the App
• Log Data: IP address, crash reports, error logs, timestamps

2.3 Information from Third Parties

If you sign in using third-party authentication (e.g., Google, Apple Sign-In), we receive basic profile information as permitted by that service (name, email, profile picture).

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contractual Necessity: To provide you with the App’s services (creating/joining events, matching users, group chats)
• Consent: For location tracking, analytics, and promotional communications (you can withdraw consent at any time)
• Legitimate Interests: To improve the App, ensure safety, prevent fraud, and provide customer support
• Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws and respond to legal requests

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal information to:

4.1 Core Functionality

• Enable you to create and join events
• Match you with other users based on interests and proximity
• Facilitate group chats for event coordination
• Display your profile to other users (first name and last initial only, e.g., “Guillaume M.”)

4.2 Safety & Moderation

• Verify accounts and prevent fake profiles
• Moderate content and enforce our Terms of Use
• Investigate reports of inappropriate behavior
• Protect against fraud, spam, and abuse

4.3 Communication

• Send you event notifications, reminders, and updates
• Respond to your support requests and feedback
• Notify you of important changes to the App or policies

4.4 Improvement & Analytics

• Analyze usage patterns to improve features
• Conduct internal research and development
• Optimize app performance and user experience

4.5 Marketing (with consent)

• Send you promotional content, news, or special offers (you can opt out at any time)

5. How We Share Your Data

5.1 Public Profile Information

When you use FriendZ, the following information is visible to other users:

• Your first name and last initial (e.g., “Guillaume M.”)
• Your calculated age (not your birthdate)
• Your profile photo
• Your interests and bio (if provided)
• Events you’re attending or hosting

5.2 Within the App

• Group Chats: Messages you send in event group chats are visible to all participants
• Event Organizers: Event creators can see who joined their events

5.3 Third-Party Service Providers

We share data with trusted third parties who help us operate the App:

• Cloud Hosting: AWS (Amazon Web Services) for secure data storage
• Analytics: Tools like Firebase or Google Analytics to understand app usage
• Authentication: Third-party login providers (Google, Apple)
• Communication: Email and notification services

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.

5.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to:

• Protect the rights, property, or safety of FriendZ, our users, or the public
• Enforce our Terms of Use
• Investigate fraud, security issues, or violations

5.5 Business Transfers

If FriendZ is acquired, merged, or sells assets, your data may be transferred to the new owner. We will notify you before your data is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5.6 What We Never Do

• We never sell your personal data to third parties
• We never share your exact birthdate publicly
• We never share your messages outside of event participants

6. Data Retention

6.1 Retention Periods

• Profile Data: Retained until you delete your account or request deletion
• Event Data: Retained for 90 days after an event ends, then archived or deleted
• Messages: Deleted 1 hour after an event ends (or when the event is marked complete)
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained indefinitely for research purposes
• Legal/Safety Data: Reports, moderation logs, and account violations may be retained longer for safety and legal compliance

6.2 Account Deletion

When you delete your account:

• Your profile, events, and messages are permanently deleted within 30 days
• Some data may be retained in backups for up to 90 days for technical reasons
• Anonymized data may remain in analytics systems

7. Data Storage & Security

7.1 Where We Store Data

Your data is stored on secure servers provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS), with data centers located in Singapore.

7.2 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security practices to protect your data:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest
• Access Controls: Restricted access to personal data within our team
• Regular Audits: Security assessments and updates
• Secure Authentication: Password hashing and secure login protocols

7.3 No Absolute Security

While we take reasonable measures to protect your data, no system is 100% secure. You use the App at your own risk.

8. International Data Transfers

If you are located in the European Union, United Kingdom, or other regions with data protection laws, your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your region (such as Thailand or Singapore via AWS).

We ensure such transfers comply with applicable laws through:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Your explicit consent where required

9. Your Rights

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

9.1 Access

Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

9.2 Correction

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

9.3 Deletion

Request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”), subject to legal obligations.

9.4 Restriction

Request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.

9.5 Data Portability

Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

9.6 Objection

Object to processing of your data for direct marketing or legitimate interests.

9.7 Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent for processing at any time (e.g., location tracking, marketing emails).

9.8 Lodge a Complaint

File a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@joinfriendz.com.
We will respond within 30 days (or as required by local law).

10. Children’s Privacy

FriendZ is intended for users 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18.

If we become aware that a user is under 18, we will promptly delete their account and data.

If you believe a minor has created an account, please contact us immediately at support@joinfriendz.com.

11. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

11.1 What We Use

FriendZ may use the following technologies:

• Essential Cookies: To maintain your session and app functionality
• Analytics Tools: To understand how users interact with the App (e.g., Firebase Analytics, Google Analytics)

11.2 What We Don’t Use

• We do not use third-party advertising cookies
• We do not sell tracking data to advertisers

11.3 Your Choices

You can manage cookie preferences through your device settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect app functionality.

12. Third-Party Links

The App may contain links to third-party websites, services, or social media platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

13. Push Notifications

We may send you push notifications for:

• Event reminders and updates
• New messages in group chats
• Important account or safety alerts

You can disable push notifications in your device settings at any time.

14. Location Data

14.1 How We Use Location

• Manual Location: You can manually enter your city or location to find nearby events
• Device Location (optional): If you grant permission, we may use your device’s GPS to show events near you

14.2 Control Your Location Data

You can:

• Disable location permissions in your device settings
• Manually update your location in the App
• Delete location data by contacting us

We do not track your location continuously or share your precise location with other users.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or App features.

15.1 Notification of Changes

We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy in the App
• Sending an email notification (if you provided an email)
• Displaying an in-app notice

15.2 Effective Date

Changes take effect immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

16. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Thailand.

For users in the European Union, your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) remain applicable.

17. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

Email: support@joinfriendz.com
Website: https://joinfriendz.com

We will respond to your inquiries within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

18. Data Protection Officer (Optional)

If required by law or if you wish to escalate a privacy concern, you may contact our Data Protection Officer at:
Email: support@joinfriendz.com

19. Summary of Key Points

| What We Collect | Profile info, interests, location, messages, usage data |

| Why We Collect It | To provide services, match users, ensure safety, improve the App |

| Who We Share With | Other users (limited profile), service providers (AWS, analytics), legal authorities (if required) |

| Your Rights | Access, correction, deletion, portability, objection, withdraw consent |

| Data Retention | Until account deletion; messages deleted 1 hour after events |

| Security | Encrypted storage on AWS, access controls, regular audits |

| Contact | support@joinfriendz.com |

BY USING FRIENDZ, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS PRIVACY POLICY.