Privacy Policy
This policy explains what data Buddy collects, why, and your rights over it. Buddy is a private, invite-only app for coordinating hangouts within friend groups. It is intended for people aged 16 and over.
Information we collect
- Account: email address, a handle, a display name, and an optional profile photo.
- Content you create: pod and community messages, comments, host profiles, hangouts and RSVPs.
- Coarse location: a city you type in, used only to filter local content. We never collect background or GPS location.
- Device & push: a push-notification token (if you enable notifications) and basic technical data needed to run the service.
How we use it
- To provide the core service: pods, chat, hangouts, community and events.
- To keep the community safe (content moderation, reports, blocking, enforcement).
- To send notifications you’ve opted into. You can turn these off at any time.
Service providers we share data with
We do not sell your personal data. We share the minimum necessary with processors who run the service on our behalf:
- Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Storage, Cloud Functions, Cloud Messaging) — hosting, database, auth and notifications.
- Google Gemini API — message and comment text is sent for automated safety classification before it is stored, so prohibited content is blocked at the source.
Content moderation
To enforce our community rules, the text of messages and comments is automatically screened before it is published. Content that violates our policy is blocked and never shown to others, and may result in a strike, suspension, or ban.
Data retention & deletion
We keep your data while your account is active. You can delete your account at any time in the app (Profile → Delete my account) or on the web at https://buddy.mebal.ca/delete-account. On deletion we remove your profile, memberships and host profiles, and remove or anonymize your content; full purge (including media) completes within 30 days. Limited moderation records may be retained in pseudonymized form where required for safety or legal compliance.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (e.g., GDPR/CCPA), you may request access, correction, export, or deletion of your personal data. Contact support@egboinc.com and we will respond within the time required by law.
Children
Buddy is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their data.
Changes
We’ll post any changes here and update the effective date above.
This document is a good-faith first version and should be reviewed by legal counsel before public launch.