Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information from and about users of our application, including information by which you may be personally identified and information about your usage of the application.

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you register for an account and use Bondly, you voluntarily provide us with certain personal information, including:

• Account Registration Information: Your name, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender, and password.
• Profile Information: Profile pictures, bio, interests, location, and other information you choose to add to your profile.
• Verification Information: Information used to verify your identity, such as government-issued identification documents.
• User Content: Messages, photos, videos, and other content you share through the application.
• Payment Information: If you make purchases through our app, payment card information and billing details (processed securely through third-party payment processors).
• Contact Information: Information from your device's address book if you choose to sync your contacts.
• Customer Support Communications: Information you provide when contacting our support team.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access and use Bondly, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, mobile network information, and device settings.
• Usage Information: Features you use, actions you take, time and frequency of your activities, and interaction with other users.
• Location Information: Precise or approximate location data based on your device settings and permissions.
• Log Information: IP address, browser type, pages visited, time stamps, and referring URLs.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and analyze usage patterns.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party services:

• Social Media Platforms: If you connect your Bondly account with social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
• Other Users: Information that other users provide about you when they use our services.
• Third-Party Services: Information from analytics providers, advertising partners, and other service providers.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes to provide, maintain, and improve our services:

3. How We Share Your Information

We respect your privacy and will not sell your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 With Other Users

Your profile information, photos, and activity on the platform are visible to other users to facilitate connections and matches. You control what information appears on your profile.

3.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Cloud storage and hosting providers
• Payment processors (M-Pesa and other payment gateways)
• Analytics and data analysis providers
• Customer support and communication tools
• Marketing and advertising partners
• Security and fraud prevention services

3.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities, including:

• Complying with legal process (court orders, subpoenas, search warrants)
• Enforcing our Terms of Service and other agreements
• Protecting the rights, property, or safety of Bondly, our users, or others
• Preventing or investigating possible wrongdoing

3.4 Business Transfers

If Bondly is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specifically:

• Active Accounts: We retain your information while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter to allow you to reactivate your account.
• Deleted Accounts: When you delete your account, we delete your personal information within 90 days, except where we need to retain it for legitimate business or legal purposes.
• Legal Requirements: We may retain certain information to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, and enforce our agreements.
• Backup Systems: Deleted information may remain in backup systems for up to 90 days before being permanently deleted.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security measures include:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit using SSL/TLS and at rest using industry-standard encryption.
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit employee access to personal information on a need-to-know basis.
• Secure Infrastructure: We use secure cloud infrastructure with regular security audits and updates.
• Authentication: Multi-factor authentication and secure password requirements protect your account.
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring systems detect and respond to security threats.
• Regular Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability testing.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have certain rights regarding your personal information. Depending on your location, these rights may include:

6.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and request a copy in a portable format.

6.2 Correction and Update

You can update or correct your personal information at any time through your account settings or by contacting us.

6.3 Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information. You can delete your account through the app settings or by contacting our support team.

6.4 Objection and Restriction

You can object to certain processing of your information or request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.

6.5 Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time through your privacy settings.

6.6 Opt-Out of Marketing

You can opt-out of receiving marketing communications by following the unsubscribe instructions in emails or adjusting your notification settings in the app.

7. Children's Privacy

Bondly is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. Our Terms of Service prohibit users under 18 from creating accounts.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our systems. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us immediately at privacy@bondly.app.

8. International Data Transfers

Bondly operates globally, and your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country.

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information and comply with applicable data protection laws. These safeguards include:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Data processing agreements with service providers
• Compliance with international data protection frameworks
• Adequate security measures during data transmission

9. Location Information

Bondly uses location information to provide core features such as showing you potential matches nearby. We collect location data in the following ways:

9.1 Precise Location

When you grant permission, we collect your device's precise location through GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile network data. This helps us show you users in your area and provide location-based features.

9.2 Approximate Location

Even if you don't grant precise location permission, we may derive approximate location from your IP address or device settings.

9.3 Managing Location Settings

You can control location permissions through your device settings or app settings at any time. Disabling location services may limit certain features of the app.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information and improve our services:

10.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Required for the app to function properly and cannot be disabled.
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our services.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and personalize your experience.
• Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness.

10.2 Managing Cookies

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or app settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our services.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

Our application may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our application. Examples include:

• Social media platforms
• Payment processors
• External websites linked in user profiles or messages
• Third-party authentication services

12. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you through the app or via email
• In some cases, request your consent to the changes
• Post the updated policy on our website and in the app

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of Bondly after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. California Privacy Rights

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

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell personal information).
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@bondly.app. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

14. European Economic Area (EEA) Rights

If you are located in the EEA, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

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

14.1 Legal Basis for Processing

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

• Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary to perform our contract with you.
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests.
• Consent: You have provided explicit consent for specific processing activities.
• Legal Obligations: Processing is required to comply with legal obligations.

15. Data Protection Officer

We have appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee our privacy and data protection practices. If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, you can contact our DPO at:

Email: dpo@bondly.app

16. Your Responsibilities

While we take measures to protect your information, you also have responsibilities to protect your privacy:

• Keep your login credentials secure and do not share them with others
• Use a strong, unique password for your Bondly account
• Be cautious about the information you share in your profile and messages
• Report suspicious activity or users to our support team
• Review your privacy settings regularly
• Keep your contact information up to date
• Log out of shared or public devices