This Privacy Policy explains how Geotic ("Geotic," "we," "us," or "our") handles information when you use the Geotic mobile application, website, and related services. For privacy questions or requests, contact support@geotic.app.
Information we collect
Account and profile information
When you authenticate with Apple or Google, we receive a provider-specific account identifier and, when supplied by the provider, an email address. We store the username you choose, your optional bio, profile avatar, account timestamps, and the credentials required to keep your session active. We do not require your legal name.
Terms acceptance records
When you explicitly accept our Terms of Use, we record your internal account identifier, the Terms version you accepted, and a server-generated timestamp. We use this record to establish which Terms you accepted and whether renewed acceptance is needed. We do not collect an IP address or device fingerprint for this acceptance record. This does not change the basic request and security logging described elsewhere in this policy.
Messages and other content
We store public geochat messages, private geozone dialog messages, replies, mentions, drafts kept locally on your device, and notification state needed to provide the conversation features. Public messages and public profile information can be visible to other Geotic users.
Reports and moderation evidence
When you report a message or user, we collect the report reason, any comment you provide, the time of the report, and identifiers needed to associate it with the reporting account and reported content or account. We retain a copy of the reported message or relevant profile information, which may include a username, bio, or avatar. Reported private messages may be reviewed by authorized moderators. Access to reports and supporting evidence is restricted to authorized personnel who need it to investigate reports, enforce our Terms, or meet legal obligations.
Location information
Geotic requests precise foreground location while relevant map or chat features are open. Location, accuracy, and capture time are sent to our backend to show nearby geochats and verify whether you may send a message. Exact server-side location presence expires after approximately one minute. Geozone attendance and nearby qualification may retain aggregate state without retaining the exact coordinates.
Avatars, device information, and notifications
If you choose an avatar, we store and display the selected image as part of your profile. We also process an app user identifier, an installation/device identifier, push notification tokens, platform information, and basic request and security logs needed to operate and protect the service.
How we use information
- Authenticate accounts and maintain secure sessions.
- Display profiles, geozones, messages, replies, mentions, and notifications.
- Determine nearby access and enforce location-based write authorization.
- Deliver requested push notifications.
- Prevent abuse, diagnose failures, secure the service, and maintain reliability.
- Investigate reports, review objectionable content and abusive behavior, and enforce our Terms of Use.
- Respond to support, privacy, and account requests.
We do not sell personal information, use it for third-party advertising, or track you across apps and websites owned by other companies.
Service providers
We use service providers for account authentication, image storage and delivery, push notifications, maps, hosting, and support and moderation communications. They process information needed for those services, which may include IP addresses, device information, request metadata, and content submitted to the relevant service. We limit the information shared to what is needed for those purposes.
Retention and account deletion
We retain account and content information while your account is active and as needed to provide and secure Geotic. Exact location presence is short-lived as described above. Session, push, provider identity, profile, presence, and notification records associated with your account are removed or anonymized when account deletion completes. Your avatar is scheduled for deletion unless it is retained as moderation evidence under the limits below.
Messages already shared in public or private conversations are retained to preserve conversation history, but your public identity is replaced with "Deleted user" and your profile can no longer be opened. Legal, security, fraud-prevention, backup, or operational requirements may require limited information to be retained for longer.
Report retention
We retain reports and supporting evidence while investigating them and delete them within 90 days after resolution. Unresolved reports are reviewed regularly. Relevant evidence may be retained longer where necessary to resolve an ongoing appeal, investigate abuse, or comply with legal obligations. We review any extended retention and delete the evidence when the reason for keeping it no longer applies.
Deleting or changing a message, profile, avatar, or account does not immediately delete evidence already retained for a report. Such evidence, including reported private messages and copies of reported avatars, remains subject to the retention limits above and restricted access; it is not made public by being retained for moderation.
Terms acceptance records linked to your account are deleted when account deletion completes. Published legal documents remain archived without including users' acceptance records. Backup retention follows the policy described in this section.
Your choices and rights
You can edit your username, bio, and avatar from Settings. You can disable location or notification permission in iOS Settings, although related features will stop working. You can delete your account in Geotic under Settings > Delete Account. You may also contact support@geotic.app to request access, correction, deletion, or other rights available under applicable law.
Security
We use encrypted network transport, hashed session credentials, encrypted push tokens, access controls, and limited operational logging. No service can guarantee absolute security, so please use a unique account and avoid sharing sensitive information in messages.
Children
Geotic is not directed to children under 13, or a higher minimum age where required by local law. If you believe a child has provided information in violation of this policy, contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.
International processing
Geotic and its service providers may process information in countries other than the country where you live. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for those transfers.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as Geotic changes. We will update the effective date and provide additional notice when required by law.
Contact
Email: support@geotic.app