Summary
Chickadee processes limited account, usage, and device information to operate the service, provide location-based features, deliver notifications, enable real-time messaging, improve reliability, and protect users from abuse.
How deletion works (including the 1-month restore window) is described here: Account Deletion.
Age Requirement
Chickadee is intended for users who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
1) Data We Collect
- Account data: email, username, and basic account identifiers.
- Profile data: display name, bio, avatar (optional), and optional profile attributes.
- Location data (optional): used for map and nearby activity features when you grant permission.
- User content: activity details you create, chat messages you send, and friend connections you establish.
- Ratings & feedback: scores and optional comments you choose to submit.
- Subscription data: purchase receipts or tokens verified with Apple App Store or Google Play when you purchase a Premium subscription. We do not store full payment card details.
- Usage & diagnostics: interaction timestamps and crash/error diagnostics.
- Device data: device model, OS/app version, and push token (if notifications are enabled).
Other users do not see your email address.
2) How We Use Data
- To create and manage accounts.
- To provide core features (activities, maps, matching, messaging, and friend connections).
- To process and verify Premium subscription purchases via Apple App Store or Google Play.
- To deliver in-app and push notifications (if permitted).
- To troubleshoot issues and improve performance.
- To protect users and the platform from fraud, spam, and abuse.
3) Chat & Real-Time Messaging
Chickadee provides real-time messaging between users using live communication technologies.
Encryption at rest: chat message content may be stored in our database in an encrypted form. Messages are decrypted when necessary to display them in the app.
Sender identity: if an account is deleted and later anonymized, message sender identifiers are replaced by a generic "Deleted User" identity, while keeping conversation integrity.
4) Permissions (Location & Notifications)
- Location permission: required for map and nearby activity features.
- Notification permission: required for push notifications when the app is not active.
If permissions are denied, related features may be limited or unavailable.
5) Third-Party Services
- Google Maps for map display and location features.
- Google Sign-In for optional authentication.
- Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for push notifications.
- Apple App Store for processing and verifying iOS Premium subscription purchases.
- Google Play for processing and verifying Android Premium subscription purchases.
We do not sell personal data.
6) Security
We apply reasonable safeguards to protect your data. Passwords are stored using secure, one-way hashing methods. Data is encrypted in transit using standard transport security (such as HTTPS/TLS).
No system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7) Account Deletion, Restore Window & Anonymization
Chickadee supports account deletion with a 1-month restore window. This is designed to prevent accidental loss and allow restoration if you change your mind. Detailed steps are described on Account Deletion.
- Immediately after deletion request (deactivation): your account is disabled and you are logged out. Sessions/tokens are revoked to stop access.
- Restore window (up to 1 month): you may restore your account during this period (where available in the app or via support).
-
After 1 month:
Chickadee anonymizes personal identifiers (such as email/username and profile details)
and replaces them with a generic "Deleted User" identity (e.g.,
deleted_user_XXXX). - Shared records may remain but are anonymized: content that affects other users (for example chat messages or ratings) may remain for integrity and safety, but will no longer be linked to your real identity.
8) Data Retention
- Account & profile identifiers: removed/anonymized after the 1-month restore window following a deletion request.
- Chat messages: may be stored encrypted; messages marked as deleted are permanently removed after a retention period (see below).
- Soft-deleted chat cleanup: soft-deleted chat messages are permanently deleted after 90 days.
- Backups: may persist for a limited time and be overwritten on a regular cycle.
- Legal/compliance: some records may be retained where required by applicable law.
Note: "Soft-deleted" in chat means messages are marked for deletion in the system and are removed by an automated cleanup process.
9) Your Rights & Choices
- Access, correct, or delete your data (subject to legal requirements).
- Control location/notification permissions via device settings.
- Request account deletion and, during the restore window, request restoration (where available).
Contact [email protected] for requests.
10) Reporting & Safety
You may report inappropriate behavior by emailing [email protected].
11) Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date will reflect the latest changes.