ChatHub Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

1. Privacy Policy

1.1 Introduction

ChatHub ("we," "us," or "our") operates a social networking and communication platform that connects users worldwide. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your information.

1.2 Information We Collect

A. Account Information (Provided by You)

• Basic Profile: Username, age, gender, country, language preference
• Contact Information: Email address (optional, for account verification)
• Extended Profile: Profile photo, city, height, occupation, hobbies, zodiac sign, social media handles (Snapchat, Instagram)
• Preferences: Relationship status, interests, lifestyle choices (gym, smoking, drinking, pets, travel, etc.)

B. Device & Technical Information (Automatically Collected)

• Device Identifiers: Device ID (DEVID), MAC address, Firebase Installation ID, device token
• Device Details: Device model, manufacturer, operating system version, app version
• Network Information: IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, IP-derived location (country, city)
• Platform: iOS or Android

C. Usage & Activity Data

• Account Activity: First login time, last login time, account creation timestamp, online/offline status
• Interaction Metrics: Number of conversations initiated/received (categorized by gender), voice/video calls initiated/joined
• Engagement Data: Chat frequency, message counts, feature usage patterns
• Search Activity: Search queries for finding users (username, country, gender, language)

D. Content You Create

• Messages: Text messages sent within the app (stored temporarily for delivery)
• Media: Photos, images, and videos you share in conversations
• Interest Tags: Machine learning-extracted interests from your conversations (processed on-device, stored as approved tags only)
• User-Generated Content: Profile descriptions, status updates

E. Safety & Moderation Data

• Reports: Total number of reports received (no raw content stored)
• Account Status: Active, suspended, or banned status
• Moderation Signals: Aggregate counters for policy violations (profanity detections, image moderation flags)
• Verification Status: Email verification, photo verification, phone verification

F. Subscription & Billing Information

• Subscription Data: Subscription tier (Lite, Plus, Pro), subscription period (weekly, monthly, yearly), expiry timestamp
• Purchase History: Transaction IDs, purchase timestamps (processed by Apple App Store / Google Play Store)
• Payment Information: Handled exclusively by Apple/Google (we never access your credit card details)

G. Location Information

• IP-Derived Location: Country and city derived from your IP address (not precise GPS location)
• Device Country: Country setting from your device
• We DO NOT collect precise GPS location or track your movements

1.3 How We Use Your Information

A. Provide Core Services

• Enable messaging, voice calls, and video calls between users
• Match you with other users based on preferences and filters
• Display user profiles and facilitate connections
• Deliver push notifications for messages and calls

B. Personalization & Improvement

• Extract interests from conversations using on-device ML (MiniLM model) to improve matching
• Suggest compatible users based on shared interests and preferences
• Personalize your experience based on usage patterns
• Improve app performance and fix technical issues

C. Safety & Security

• Detect and prevent spam, abuse, and policy violations
• Moderate content using AI (Hive Image Moderation, profanity filters)
• Enforce community guidelines and terms of service
• Investigate reports and take action against violators
• Verify user authenticity through Play Integrity (Android) and device attestation

D. Account Management

• Authenticate your identity during login
• Manage your subscription and billing status
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send service-related notifications (account updates, policy changes)

E. Analytics & Business Operations

• Analyze app usage patterns to understand user behavior
• Track feature adoption and engagement metrics
• Monitor app crashes and performance issues (Firebase Crashlytics)
• Conduct A/B testing to improve features

1.4 How We Share Your Information

A. With Other Users (Publicly Visible)

The following information is visible to users you interact with:

• Profile information (username, age, gender, country, profile photo)
• Extended profile details (if you choose to fill them)
• Interest tags (extracted from conversations, displayed publicly)
• Online/offline status, last seen timestamp

B. With Third-Party Service Providers

We share data with trusted partners who help us operate the app:

• Firebase (Google): Cloud database (Firestore), authentication, analytics, crashlytics, messaging
• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Image storage (S3), email delivery (SES)
• Agora.io: Real-time voice and video communication
• Hive AI: Image content moderation
• TensorFlow Lite: On-device machine learning (interest extraction, processed locally)
• Apple App Store / Google Play Store: Payment processing and subscription management

C. Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Protect our rights, property, and safety, or that of our users
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
• Enforce our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines

D. Business Transfers

If ChatHub is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

1.5 Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active
• Messages: Stored in our database until you delete them. Cached locally on your device.
• Images/Media: Stored on AWS S3 until you delete your account or remove the content
• Logs & Analytics: Retained for 90 days for debugging and improvement purposes
• Deleted Accounts: Account data is permanently deleted within 30 days of account deletion request

1.6 Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: Data in transit is encrypted using TLS/SSL
• Firebase Security Rules: Strict access controls on database reads/writes
• Authentication: Firebase Auth with secure token management
• Content Moderation: AI-powered filtering to prevent harmful content
• Regular Audits: Periodic security reviews and updates

Note: While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. Use ChatHub at your own risk.

1.7 Children's Privacy

Age Restriction: ChatHub is intended for users aged 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you are under 18, do not use this app or provide any personal information.

If we discover that a user under 18 has provided personal information, we will immediately delete their account and associated data.

1.8 International Data Transfers

ChatHub operates globally. Your information may be transferred to and stored on servers located in different countries, including the United States (Firebase, AWS). By using ChatHub, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your residence.

1.9 Third-Party Links

ChatHub may contain links to external websites or social media profiles (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat handles). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. Please review their privacy policies before sharing information.

1.10 Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of ChatHub after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

2. Terms of Service

2.1 Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, or using ChatHub, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, you may not use the app.

2.2 Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to use ChatHub
• You must provide accurate and truthful information during registration
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• One person may maintain only one account at a time

2.3 Account Registration & Security

• You may create an account using email and password or anonymous authentication
• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate our policies

2.4 User Conduct & Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

• Harassment: Harass, bully, threaten, or intimidate other users
• Hate Speech: Post content promoting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin
• Illegal Content: Share content that promotes illegal activities, violence, terrorism, or child exploitation
• Spam: Send unsolicited advertisements, promotional messages, or spam
• Impersonation: Impersonate another person or entity
• Privacy Violations: Share private information of others without consent
• Sexual Content: Share explicit sexual content without consent, or engage in sexual exploitation
• Misinformation: Spread false information intended to deceive or harm
• System Abuse: Attempt to hack, disrupt, or exploit vulnerabilities in ChatHub
• Automated Bots: Use automated scripts, bots, or scrapers to access the app
• Multiple Accounts: Create multiple accounts to evade bans or restrictions

2.5 Content Ownership & License

A. Your Content

• You retain ownership of content you create (messages, photos, profile information)
• By posting content, you grant ChatHub a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, store, display, and distribute your content solely for the purpose of operating the app
• You represent that you have the right to share any content you post

B. ChatHub's Content

• All software, designs, graphics, and trademarks are owned by ChatHub or its licensors
• You may not copy, modify, or reverse-engineer any part of the app

2.6 Content Moderation

• We use AI-powered tools (Hive Image Moderation, profanity filters) to detect harmful content
• We reserve the right to remove content that violates our policies
• Repeated violations may result in account suspension or permanent ban
• You can report inappropriate content or users using the in-app reporting feature

2.7 Voice & Video Calls

• ChatHub uses Agora.io for real-time voice and video communication
• Calls are transmitted directly between users (peer-to-peer) and are not recorded or stored by ChatHub
• You are responsible for your conduct during calls
• Do not engage in sexually explicit, harassing, or illegal activities during calls

2.8 Subscriptions & Payments

A. Subscription Tiers

ChatHub offers three subscription tiers:

• Lite: Basic premium features
• Plus: Enhanced features
• Pro: Full access to all premium features

Each tier is available in weekly, monthly, or yearly billing periods.

B. Auto-Renewal

• Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends
• You will be charged through your Apple App Store or Google Play Store account
• Manage or cancel subscriptions through your device's account settings

C. Refunds

• All purchases are final and non-refundable except as required by law
• Refund requests must be submitted to Apple or Google, not ChatHub directly
• We do not provide refunds for unused portions of subscription periods

D. Gift Subscriptions

• ChatHub offers one-time non-renewable "Gift Pro" purchases
• Gift subscriptions are valid for a fixed duration (e.g., 30 days)
• Gift purchases are non-transferable and non-refundable

E. Free Trial (If Applicable)

• Free trials may be offered at our discretion
• You will be charged when the trial ends unless you cancel before the trial period expires
• Trials are limited to one per user

2.9 Intellectual Property

• ChatHub and all related trademarks, logos, and service marks are the property of ChatHub or its licensors
• You may not use our trademarks without prior written permission
• You may not create derivative works based on ChatHub

2.10 Disclaimer of Warranties

ChatHub is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service
• We do not warrant that the app will meet your specific requirements
• We do not verify the identity or accuracy of user profiles
• Use of ChatHub is at your own risk

2.11 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• ChatHub shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to ChatHub in the 12 months preceding the claim
• We are not responsible for user-generated content or the actions of other users
• We are not liable for loss of data, privacy breaches caused by third parties, or unauthorized access

2.12 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold ChatHub harmless from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of ChatHub
• Your violation of these Terms of Service
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Content you post on ChatHub

2.13 Termination

A. By You

• You may delete your account at any time through the app settings
• Deleting your account will permanently remove your profile and data (within 30 days)

B. By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if you:

• Violate these Terms of Service or Community Guidelines
• Engage in illegal activities
• Receive multiple reports from other users
• Attempt to manipulate or abuse the app

C. Effect of Termination

• Upon termination, your right to use ChatHub immediately ceases
• We may retain certain data as required by law or for legitimate business purposes
• Subscription fees are non-refundable upon termination

2.14 Dispute Resolution

• Informal Resolution: Contact us first to resolve disputes informally
• Arbitration: If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the laws of India
• Class Action Waiver: You agree to resolve disputes individually, not as part of a class action

2.15 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of India, without regard to conflict of law principles. You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in India.

2.16 Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. Continued use of ChatHub after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2.17 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force.

2.18 Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines, constitute the entire agreement between you and ChatHub.

3. Community Guidelines

3.1 Our Mission

ChatHub is a platform for meaningful connections and respectful communication. We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all users.

3.2 Be Respectful

• Treat others with kindness and respect
• Respect boundaries and consent
• Accept rejection gracefully
• Do not pressure others into unwanted conversations or activities

3.3 Stay Safe

• Do not share personal information (full name, address, phone number, financial details)
• Be cautious when sharing social media handles
• Report suspicious behavior immediately
• Do not arrange in-person meetings with strangers without proper precautions

3.4 Zero Tolerance Policies

The following behaviors result in immediate account termination:

• Child Safety: Any content involving minors in sexual or suggestive contexts
• Non-Consensual Content: Sharing intimate images without consent (revenge porn)
• Threats & Violence: Threats of harm, promotion of self-harm, or incitement to violence
• Terrorism: Content promoting terrorist organizations or activities
• Human Trafficking: Content facilitating exploitation or trafficking

3.5 Reporting & Enforcement

• Use the in-app report feature to flag violations
• Reports are reviewed by our moderation team
• False or malicious reports may result in penalties
• We take action within 24-48 hours of receiving reports

3.6 Consequences of Violations

• First Offense: Warning or temporary suspension (24-72 hours)
• Second Offense: Temporary ban (7-30 days)
• Third Offense or Severe Violation: Permanent account termination

3.7 Appeals

If you believe your account was wrongly suspended or banned, you may appeal by contacting us at info@peppty.com within 30 days.

4. Data Collection & Usage (Detailed)

4.1 Firebase (Google Cloud)

Purpose: Database, authentication, analytics, crashlytics, push notifications

Data Shared: User profiles, messages, account data, device info, usage analytics

Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

4.2 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Purpose: Image storage (S3), email delivery (SES)

Data Shared: Profile photos, images shared in chats, verification emails

Privacy Policy: https://aws.amazon.com/privacy/

4.3 Agora.io

Purpose: Real-time voice and video calls

Data Shared: User ID, call metadata (duration, participants). Calls are peer-to-peer and not recorded.

Privacy Policy: https://www.agora.io/en/privacy-policy/

4.4 Hive AI

Purpose: Image content moderation (detect inappropriate images)

Data Shared: Images uploaded by users for moderation

Privacy Policy: https://thehive.ai/privacy

4.5 TensorFlow Lite (On-Device)

Purpose: Interest extraction from messages using MiniLM ML model

Data Shared: None. Processing happens entirely on your device. No data sent to external servers.

4.6 Apple App Store / Google Play Store

Purpose: Payment processing, subscription management

Data Shared: Purchase history, subscription status

Privacy Policies:

• Apple: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/
• Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy

5. User Safety & Content Moderation

5.1 AI-Powered Moderation

• Profanity Filter: Detects and blocks inappropriate language in messages
• Image Moderation (Hive AI): Scans images for explicit, violent, or harmful content
• Spam Detection: Identifies and blocks spam or promotional messages

5.2 User Reports

• Users can report inappropriate content or behavior
• Reports are reviewed by our moderation team within 24-48 hours
• Users with multiple reports may face account suspension

5.3 Blocking & Muting

• You can block users to prevent them from contacting you
• Blocked users cannot see your profile or send messages
• You can mute conversations to stop receiving notifications

5.4 Safety Tips

• Never share financial information or send money to strangers
• Be cautious of users asking for personal information
• Report any suspicious or threatening behavior immediately
• Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, end the conversation

6. Subscription & Billing

6.1 Free vs. Premium

Free Users: Access to basic features with limitations (message limits, cooldown periods)

Premium Users (Lite/Plus/Pro): Unlimited messages, priority matching, advanced filters, ad-free experience

6.2 Subscription Management

• iOS: Manage subscriptions in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions
• Android: Manage subscriptions in Google Play Store > Menu > Subscriptions

6.3 Cancellation Policy

• Cancel anytime at least 24 hours before renewal to avoid charges
• You retain premium access until the end of the current billing period
• No partial refunds for early cancellation

6.4 Price Changes

• We may change subscription prices at any time
• Existing subscribers will be notified 30 days before price changes
• Price changes apply to new billing periods only

7. Your Rights & Choices

7.1 Access & Correction

• You can view and update your profile information in the app
• Request a copy of your data by contacting us

7.2 Account Deletion

• Delete your account anytime through app settings
• Your data will be permanently deleted within 30 days
• Some data may be retained as required by law

7.3 Data Portability

• Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format
• Contact us at info@peppty.com

7.4 Marketing Communications

• We do not send marketing emails unless you opt in
• Opt out anytime by contacting us

7.5 Cookie Policy

ChatHub is a mobile app and does not use browser cookies. We use device identifiers and session tokens for authentication and analytics.

7.6 Do Not Track (DNT)

ChatHub does not respond to "Do Not Track" signals as they are not applicable to mobile apps.

7.7 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information is collected
• Request deletion of personal information
• Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)

7.8 GDPR Rights (European Users)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to:

• Access, rectify, or erase your personal data
• Restrict or object to processing
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

8. Contact Us