Privacy Policy

Last updated July 27, 2025 

This Privacy Policy explains how We, at Friendchise, collect, use, share, and protect information We have about Our Users and the choices Users have regarding this information. This Privacy Policy forms an integral part of Our Terms of Service and aims to be simple and easy to understand. 

Definitions 

Website: All content and links on Our Website, accessible at friendchiseapp.com. 

App: The application is available as a web app. 

Services: The Website and App together, including accessing, browsing, registering, support correspondence, chats, and product and service information. 

We, Friendchise 

User, You, Your: Any individual registered within the Services and using them. 

Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person; an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier. 

We encourage You to read this Privacy Policy carefully before using the Services. 

Users can access, print, download, and save this Privacy Policy at any time. The Privacy Policy will be permanently accessible on the Website and in the App. Using the Services implies acceptance of all conditions outlined in this Privacy Policy. By using any of the Services, You confirm that You accept this Privacy Policy and agree to comply with it. If You do not agree, You must not use the Services. 

Friendchise legally reserves the right to deny access, at any time and without prior notice, to Users who do not comply strictly with this Privacy Policy. 

Data Collection and Minimization 

We follow the principle of data minimization, collecting and processing only Personal Data that is: 

  • Required to provide You with Our Services 
  • Necessary for account security and fraud prevention 
  • Essential for legal compliance 
  • Specifically authorized by You for optional features 

We regularly review Our data collection practices to ensure We maintain only necessary information and delete any excessive data. 

What Personal Data We Collect 

You are responsible for providing accurate and up-to-date Personal Data. Some fields are mandatory for using the Services; optional fields are marked accordingly. 

Data You Provide 

  • Account Information: Full name, email address, location, photo (must be of You and meet Our guidelines) and age. 
  • Profile Details: Personal introduction, occupation (optional), interests, personality traits, and languages. While this information may reflect aspects of your personality, we do not collect or process sensitive personal data as defined in Article 9 of the GDPR (e.g., health, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation). 
  • Social Profiles: Links to Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok. 
  • Chat Content: Messages stored on Bubble servers 
  • Support Communications: Emails with Our support team 

Data Collected Automatically 

  • App Usage Data: Login times, IP address, device ID, App version, error reports, usage patterns, operating system information, notification preferences, performance analytics and crash logs 
  • Website Usage Data: Browsing patterns, cookies, session duration, and referral sources (via Google Analytics) 

How We Use Your Data 

Lawful Bases for Processing 

We process Your Personal Data based on the following legal grounds: 

  • Consent: When You explicitly agree to specific data processing 
  • Contract: When necessary to provide You with Our Services 
  • Legitimate Interests: When We have a justified business purpose that doesn’t override Your privacy rights 
  • Legal Obligations: When required by applicable laws 

You can withdraw Your consent at any time by: 

  • Contacting us via contact form for general consent withdrawal 
  • Following unsubscribe links in marketing communications 

Note that withdrawing consent: 

  • Does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal 
  • May impact Our ability to provide certain Services 
  • Will be processed within 7 business days 

Core Services Delivery 

  • Creating a community of real people interested in meaningful connections 
  • Verifying Your identity and profile authenticity 
  • Connecting You with other Users via Our Web App 
  • Providing customer support 

Communications 

Essential Communications (cannot opt-out): 

  • Security alerts 
  • Technical updates 
  • Service changes 
  • Administrative notices 

Marketing Communications (opt-out available): 

  • New features 
  • Community updates 
  • Promotional content 
  • Local events 
  • Security and Improvement 
  • Prevent fraud and enhance security 
  • Analyze performance and fix errors 
  • Improve User experience 
  • Monitor compliance with Our Terms 
  • Data Storage and Security 
  • Data Storage and Processing 

We store Your Personal Data across these trusted providers: 

  • Bubble: App data 
  • Brevo: Email communications 
  • Google Analytics: Performance analytics 

All providers process data in compliance with GDPR and applicable privacy laws. 

Security Measures 

We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect Your data. While We implement appropriate security measures, We cannot guarantee absolute security during Internet transmission or storage. 

Data Breach Protocol 

In the event of a data breach affecting Your Personal Data, We will: 

  • Notify You within 72 hours via email 
  • Explain what happened and data affected 
  • Detail Our response measures 
  • Provide steps for Your protection 
  • Cooperate with authorities as required 

Data Retention Periods 

  • Active accounts: Duration of activity 
  • Deleted accounts: No data retained 
  • Chat messages: Duration of Plan 
  • Support correspondence: 2 years from last interaction 
  • Analytics data: 24 months (anonymized) 

International Data Transfers 

Your Personal Data may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries outside the European Union (EU) where We or Our service providers maintain facilities. 

Data Transfer Safeguards: 

  • For US transfers: EU-US Data Privacy Framework 
  • For other transfers: EU-approved countries or equivalent protection measures 

By using Our Services, You acknowledge these international transfers under applicable data protection laws. 

Data Sharing 

We share Personal Data only under these circumstances: 

Service Providers: 

  • Data storage (Bubble) 
  • Email communications (Brevo) 
  • Analytics and monitoring (Google Analytics) 
     

Legal Requirements: 

  • Comply with legal obligations 
  • Respond to lawful requests 
  • Cooperate with law enforcement 

Protection of Services: 

  • Enforce Our Terms 
  • Prevent fraud 
  • Address technical issues 
  • Protect Users 
  • Cookies and Tracking 
  • Friendchise uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance Your experience and analyze usage patterns. These are small files stored on Your device that help Us provide functionality, improve performance, and personalize content. 

Types of Cookies: 

  • Essential: Required for basic functionality 
  • Performance: Help analyze how You use Our Services 
  • Functional: Remember Your preferences 
  • Marketing: Personalize content and measure campaigns 

You can manage cookie preferences through Your browser settings, though disabling certain cookies may limit functionality. 

Your Rights and Controls 

Profile Visibility and Control 

  • Your first name, photo, and basic profile information are visible to Users 
  • You control optional information sharing 
  • You can edit Your profile anytime 
  • App Permissions 

We request access to: 

  • Location services 
  • Photo library 
  • Push notifications 

Manage these through Your device settings. Some features may be limited if permissions are denied. 

Marketing Preferences 

Control marketing communications: 

  • Email: Unsubscribe link in messages
  • App: Go to your settings and there “marketing preferences”

Changes processed within 7 business days

Your Data Rights 

Right to Access: 

  • Request Your data copy 
  • View profile information 
  • Access usage history 
  • Processed within one month 

Right to Be Forgotten: 

  • Request data deletion 
  • Terminate account 
  • Remove personal information 
  • We retain only anonymized data 

Right to Data Portability: 

  • Receive Your data in usable format 
  • Transfer to another service 
  • Access Your contribution history 

Age Restrictions 

  • Services limited to ages 18 and older 
  • Age verification may be required 
  • Underage accounts terminated immediately 
  • No intentional data collection from minors: We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from individuals under the age of 18. If we become aware that a minor has provided us with Personal Data without verifiable parental consent, we will promptly delete such data and deactivate the associated account. 

Legal Information 

Warranties and Disclaimers 

You are responsible for provided information 

We do not verify User-provided content: While we encourage authentic profiles and may implement photo or ID verification features to promote user safety, we do not independently verify all User-provided content. Users are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their shared information. 

  • Exercise caution when sharing details 
  • We are not liable for User interactions 
  • We may remove inappropriate content 
  • No warranty for uninterrupted service 
  • No guarantee against security breaches 

Changes to Privacy Policy 

As laws and standards evolve, and as Our Services develop, We may, at Our sole discretion, revise this Privacy Policy and periodically update this document with the changes. We encourage You to review Our Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed. 

If We make changes that materially alter Your privacy rights, We will provide additional notice via email or through the Services. If You disagree with the changes to this Privacy Policy, You should stop using the Services, deactivate Your account, and let Us know. It is Your responsibility to review and comply with the latest version of the Privacy Policy whenever You use the Services. 

Contact Information 

Privacy Questions and Requests: 

  • Email: info@friendchiseapp.com 
  • Response time: Within 7 business days