Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to GChat ("we", "our", or "us"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service").

Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of our Service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Account Information: Username, phone number, email address, and password when you register for an account.
• Profile Information: Profile photo, display name, and other optional details you choose to provide.
• Communications: Messages, media files, and other content you send or receive through the Service.
• Transaction Data: Billing information and purchase history when you subscribe to paid features.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, device token for push notifications, and app version.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the Service, including channels joined, features used, and session activity.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account and provide our Service.
• Send you one-time passcodes (OTP) for authentication.
• Deliver messages and notifications within the platform.
• Process transactions and send related information.
• Respond to your comments, questions, and customer service requests.
• Send push notifications relevant to your activity.
• Monitor and analyze usage trends to improve the Service.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity.
• Comply with applicable laws and legal obligations.

4. Sharing of Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our Service (e.g., cloud storage, SMS delivery, push notification services) under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the successor entity.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law or in response to valid legal processes (e.g., court orders, government requests).
• Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of GChat, our users, or the public.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us. Note that some information may be retained for a limited period as required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention.

6. Security of Your Information

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including encrypted passwords (bcrypt), HTTPS data transmission, and JWT-based authentication with token expiry. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access and receive a copy of your personal information.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Opt out of receiving marketing communications.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at gchat@platform.com.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

9. Third-Party Services

Our Service integrates with the following third-party services, each governed by their own privacy policies:

• Twilio: Used for phone number verification (OTP delivery).
• Firebase (Google): Used for push notification delivery.
• Amazon Web Services (S3): Used for media file storage.
• Pusher: Used for real-time messaging functionality.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, through an in-app notification. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

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