Privacy Policy

Friendy is committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring a secure experience while using our services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information when you use the Friendy Application (the “App”). By accessing or using the Friendy App, you agree to the practices outlined in this policy. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand how we handle your information.

1. Information We Collect

To deliver a personalized and effective experience, we collect a variety of information from you. The data we gather helps us provide better services and match you with the right individuals. The types of information we collect include:

a) Personal Identification Information

When you register on Friendy, we collect basic personal details to create your account:

• Full Name: Your first and last name to personalize your account.
• Email Address: Used for account verification, notifications, and communication.
• Phone Number: For verification and communication.
• Date of Birth: To verify that you meet the minimum age requirement (18 years and older).
• Gender: Optional demographic information to better personalize your experience.
• Profile Picture: An image you choose to upload to represent your profile.
• Location Data: Optional GPS data or IP-based location to help match you with users nearby.

b) Payment Information

When you use Friendy’s payment features, such as renting a friend or being rented, we collect and process the following:

• Payment Method Details: This includes your credit/debit card number, expiration date, and billing information. These details are securely handled by third-party payment processors (e.g., G-Pay, PhonePe etc.).
• Transaction History: A record of your payments, including dates, amounts, and service details.

c) User-Generated Content

As part of using the app, you may create and share content, such as:

• Messages and Communication: Text and multimedia messages sent within the app, including video and audio messages.
• Reviews and Ratings: Ratings and reviews of rented friends, which may be visible to other users.
• Photos, Videos, and Media: Content you upload to share with other users.

d) Demographic, Professional, and Lifestyle Data

To help users connect on a more personal level, we collect additional details such as:

• Interests and Hobbies: Information about your personal interests (e.g., sports, arts, music) that helps us match you with compatible users.
• Height and Physical Attributes: Information about your physical attributes that you choose to share.
• Profession and Occupation: Information about your job, industry, and qualifications.
• Habits and Lifestyle Preferences: Data about your daily activities, lifestyle, eating habits, social behaviour, and other personal preferences that influence the type of friendship you seek.
• Personality Traits: Data about your personality, including whether you are extroverted, introverted, adventurous, or calm, as provided during registration or through your user behaviour.

e) App Usage and Technical Data

We also collect technical information when you use the App, such as:

• Device Information: Details about the device you are using (e.g., operating system, device model, unique device identifiers).
• App Usage Data: Data about how you interact with the App, including features used, session length, and actions taken.
• Geolocation Data: If location services are enabled, we collect data about your geographic location, including your latitude and longitude, to better connect you with people nearby.

f) Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to:

• Improve User Experience: To remember your preferences and provide personalized content.
• Analytics: To track usage patterns, app performance, and engagement metrics.
• Targeted Advertising: To show relevant ads based on your usage patterns.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

a) Account Creation and Management

We use your personal details to create, manage, and personalize your account, and to ensure you have access to the services offered by Friendy.

b) Service Provision

• Renting and Being Rented: We match users based on shared interests, location, and other factors to facilitate the renting of friends or being rented as a friend.
• Payment Processing: To process payments for renting services, including managing subscription payments, one-time rentals, or extended rentals.
• Communication: To send notifications about your account, bookings, payment confirmations, reminders, and customer support.

c) Personalization and Recommendations

• Friend Matching: We use demographic, professional, and lifestyle information (e.g., interests, profession, habits) to recommend friends and rental opportunities that fit your preferences.
• Behavioural Targeting: We may use your interaction patterns with the app to suggest more relevant content, new connections, and services.

d) Improvement of the App and Services

• User Experience: To analyse how users interact with the App and improve its usability, performance, and features.
• A/B Testing: We may perform A/B testing to refine and optimize the App’s design and functionality based on user feedback.

e) Security and Fraud Prevention

• Account Security: To prevent fraudulent activity, protect user accounts, and ensure the integrity of transactions on the platform.
• Compliance with Legal Requirements: To meet any regulatory or legal obligations and defend against security threats, including preventing misuse of the platform.

f) Marketing and Advertising

With your consent, we may use your data to send personalized marketing materials, including promotional emails, newsletters, and special offers related to the Friendy App. You may opt-out of receiving marketing communications at any time.

3. Sharing Your Information

We respect your privacy and only share your personal information in the following circumstances:

a) With Other Users

• Profile Information: Information such as your name, location, interests, and profile picture may be visible to other users, allowing them to evaluate whether they want to connect with you.
• Messages and Content: Any messages, ratings, and content you share with others are visible to the recipients.

b) With Service Providers

We may share your personal information with third-party vendors who help us operate the App, including:

• Payment Processors: For payment transactions (e.g., G-Pay, PhonePe etc.).
• Cloud Storage Providers: To securely store your data and content.
• Analytics Services: To analyse usage patterns and improve the App.

c) For Legal and Safety Reasons

We may disclose your information in response to:

• Legal Requirements: In compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes (such as subpoenas or court orders).
• Security Concerns: To protect the rights, property, and safety of Friendy, our users, and others.

d) With Your Consent

We may share your information if we have obtained your explicit consent to do so, such as with third-party partners for marketing or promotional purposes.

4. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Retention periods are determined based on:

• Service Continuity: Keeping your account active and providing access to App features.
• Legal Compliance: Retaining data to meet legal and contractual obligations, such as tax or financial reporting.
• Dispute Resolution: Retaining data necessary for resolving disputes.

You may request to delete your account and associated data at any time by contacting us or through your account settings. Upon deletion, we will remove or anonymize your personal information, except for any data we are legally required to retain.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have several rights and choices regarding your personal data:

a) Access

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We will provide this information free of charge, unless the request is excessive or repetitive.

b) Correction and Updates

You have the right to correct or update any personal information that is inaccurate or incomplete by visiting your account settings or contacting our support team.

c) Deletion

You may request that we delete your account and personal data, with exceptions for data that we are required to retain by law or for legitimate business purposes.

d) Opt-Out of Marketing

You can opt-out of receiving marketing communications by clicking the unsubscribe link in promotional emails or by adjusting your preferences in the App.

e) Data Portability

You can request your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format to transfer it to another service provider.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@friendyapp.com.

6. Security of Your Information

We use a combination of technical, administrative, and physical security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes:

• Encryption: Your data is encrypted during transmission using secure protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS).
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to your personal data.
• Data Backup: We maintain regular backups to protect against data loss.

However, no data transmission over the internet is completely secure, and while we take steps to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Children’s Privacy

Friendy is not intended for use by children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete it immediately.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. Significant changes will be communicated via email or through a notice in the App. Please review this policy periodically for the latest information on how we protect your privacy.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us:

By using the Friendy App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy and its terms.