Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 12, 2025

Your Data Protected

End-to-End Encryption

Transparent Practices

1. Introduction

Welcome to ConnectBuddy's Privacy Policy. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about the data we collect and how we use it. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal data.

By using ConnectBuddy, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

Google Account Information: When you sign in with Google, we collect your email address, name, and profile picture.
Profile Information: If you use Connect Villa, you may provide additional information including your status (student/professional), gender, date of birth, interests (tech/non-tech), bio, and work experience.
User Content: Messages you send through our platform (encrypted in Connect Villa).
Feedback and Reports: Information you provide when reporting users or submitting feedback.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

Device Information: Device ID, browser type, operating system, and device specifications.
Usage Data: How you interact with our platform, features you use, time spent, and connection patterns.
Session Data: Information about your active sessions, online status, and chat sessions.
Log Data: IP address, access times, pages viewed, and referring URLs.
Cookie Data: We use cookies and similar technologies to maintain your session and improve user experience.

2.3 Media Access

Camera and Microphone: When you use video chat features, we access your camera and microphone with your explicit permission. Video and audio streams are transmitted peer-to-peer or through our servers but are not recorded or stored by ConnectBuddy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

Provide Services: To operate ConnectBuddy, connect you with other users, and deliver core features.
Account Management: To create and maintain your account, authenticate users, and manage sessions.
Matching: To match you with compatible users in Connect Villa based on your profile preferences.
Security and Safety: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security issues, and violations of our Terms of Use.
Moderation: To review reports, investigate violations, and enforce platform rules.
Communication: To send you service-related notifications, respond to your inquiries, and provide customer support.
Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, improve our platform, develop new features, and enhance user experience.
Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, respond to lawful requests, and protect our rights and property.

4. Data Security and Encryption

🔒 End-to-End Encryption (Connect Villa)

Messages sent through Connect Villa are protected with end-to-end encryption using industry-standard cryptographic protocols (libsodium). This means:

Only you and your intended recipient can read your messages
ConnectBuddy cannot access the content of encrypted messages
Encryption keys are stored locally on your device
Each device has its own unique encryption key pair

Security Measures: We implement various security measures to protect your data:

HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
Secure authentication through Google OAuth
Regular security audits and updates
Protected server infrastructure
Access controls and monitoring systems

Data Breach: In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will notify affected users promptly and take immediate action to secure the platform.

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

5.1 With Other Users

Your profile information is visible to other users in Connect Villa
Your name and picture may be visible during chat sessions
In Connect Randomly, you may choose anonymous mode to hide your identity

5.2 Service Providers

We may share data with third-party service providers who help us operate the platform:

Google (for authentication)
Cloud hosting providers
Analytics services (anonymized data only)

5.3 Legal Requirements

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

Comply with legal obligations
Protect the rights and safety of ConnectBuddy and users
Prevent fraud or investigate security issues
Respond to lawful requests from authorities

5.4 Business Transfers

If ConnectBuddy 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.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

Account Data: Retained until you delete your account, then permanently deleted within 30 days.
Encrypted Messages: Stored on our servers until delivered, then deleted after 30 days.
Random Chat Messages: Not stored permanently; ephemeral sessions are deleted immediately after the chat ends.
Reports and Safety Data: Retained for up to 1 year for safety and moderation purposes.
Log Data: Retained for 90 days for security and troubleshooting purposes.
Blocked User Records: Maintained temporarily as specified (24-hour blocks) or until you remove them.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

🔍 Access

You can access your account information and profile data through the platform settings.

✏️ Correction

You can update and correct your profile information at any time through your account settings.

🗑️ Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and associated data. Contact us through the feedback feature or delete your account through settings.

📥 Data Portability

You may request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.

🚫 Objection

You can object to certain data processing activities, though this may limit your ability to use some features.

⚙️ Control

You can control your online visibility, block users, and manage your profile visibility settings.

To exercise these rights, please contact us through the feedback feature on the platform with a clear description of your request.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Maintain your login session
Remember your preferences
Analyze platform usage and performance
Enhance security and prevent fraud

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of ConnectBuddy.

9. Third-Party Services

Google OAuth: We use Google's authentication service for secure login. Google's privacy policy applies to the information they collect. Please review Google's Privacy Policy for more information.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services linked from our platform.

10. Children's Privacy

ConnectBuddy is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. We will take steps to remove such information and terminate the account.

11. International Data Transfers

ConnectBuddy operates globally, and your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using ConnectBuddy, you consent to the transfer of your information to our servers and service providers worldwide.

We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your data is protected in accordance with this privacy policy, regardless of where it is processed.

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
Right to delete personal information (with certain exceptions)
Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us through the feedback feature.

13. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, or Switzerland, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Right to access your personal data
Right to rectification of inaccurate data
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to processing
Right to withdraw consent
Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Legal Basis: We process your data based on consent, contractual necessity, legal obligations, and legitimate interests.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of significant changes by:

Posting a notice on the platform
Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Sending you a notification (for material changes)

Your continued use of ConnectBuddy after changes to this policy constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

15. Do Not Track

Some browsers have "Do Not Track" features that signal websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. ConnectBuddy currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us through:

The Feedback feature available on the ConnectBuddy platform
The Report/Support section in your account settings

We will respond to your inquiries within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days.

Privacy Commitment Summary

✓ We collect only necessary information to provide our services

✓ Your Connect Villa messages are end-to-end encrypted

✓ We do not sell your personal information

✓ You have control over your data and privacy settings

✓ We use industry-standard security measures

✓ We are transparent about our data practices

✓ Your trust and privacy are our top priorities