Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TaalMeet ("we," "us," or "our") operates the TaalMeet mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App. By using TaalMeet, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Name, email address, and password
• Date of birth, gender, and bio
• Profile photo
• Username (optional)

2.2 Language Information

To match you with language partners, we collect:

• Languages you speak and your proficiency levels
• Languages you are learning and your goals
• Interests and topics for conversation

2.3 Location Data

With your permission, we collect your device's location to show nearby language partners on the map and enable in-person meetups. We store approximate location data (city and country) and use geohashing for proximity-based discovery. You can disable location access at any time through your device settings.

2.4 Usage and Activity Data

• Messages, voice messages, and images sent and received within the App
• Connections, meetups, and event participation
• Vocabulary entries you save
• Availability status and online presence

2.5 Device Information

• Device type, operating system, and app version
• Push notification tokens for delivering alerts
• Crash reports and performance data for improving the App

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account
• Match you with relevant language partners based on your languages, location, and preferences
• Display nearby users on the discovery map
• Enable text, voice, and image messaging between users
• Organize and manage language exchange events and meetups
• Send push notifications for messages, connections, and events
• Ensure safety through content moderation and report handling
• Improve the App through analytics and crash reporting
• Provide customer support

4. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect information:

• Supabase — Backend infrastructure, database hosting, authentication, and real-time messaging
• Mapbox — Map display and location services
• Google Maps — Place search and geocoding
• Sentry — Crash reporting and performance monitoring
• Firebase Cloud Messaging — Push notification delivery
• Apple / Google — Authentication via Sign in with Apple or Google

Each of these services operates under their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review their respective policies.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

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

• With other users: Your profile information, languages, availability, and approximate location are visible to other users for the purpose of language partner discovery
• Service providers: With third-party services listed above that help us operate the App
• Safety and legal: When required by law, to protect our rights, or to ensure the safety of our users
• With your consent: When you explicitly agree to share information

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information. This includes encrypted data transmission (TLS/SSL), row-level security policies on our database, secure authentication tokens, and encrypted storage for sensitive credentials on your device. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal or safety purposes.

8. Your Rights

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

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and personal data
• Data export: Export your data in a portable format
• Opt-out: Disable analytics and personalization in your privacy settings
• Withdraw consent: Revoke permissions for location, notifications, or camera at any time through your device settings

You can exercise these rights through the App's Settings or by contacting us at privacy@taalmeet.com.

9. Children's Privacy

TaalMeet is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we discover that someone under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a minor has provided us with their data, please contact us at privacy@taalmeet.com.

10. Location-Specific Provisions

European Economic Area (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA, our legal bases for processing your information include: your consent, performance of our contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating and improving the App, and compliance with legal obligations. You may exercise your GDPR rights by contacting us.

California (CCPA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion of their data, and opt-out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice in the App or sending you a notification. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: