Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Vaaqchat is a mobile messaging application that lets users chat one-to-one and in groups, share media, make audio and video calls, and ask an AI study assistant educational questions. The app is operated by [INSERT LEGAL ENTITY / YOUR NAME], located at [INSERT ADDRESS], contactable at [INSERT CONTACT EMAIL].

2. Information we collect

Information you provide

• Account details: your email address (and/or phone number), display name, and password (stored only in encrypted/hashed form — we never store your password in readable form).
• Profile information: any photo, status, or details you add.
• Messages and content: the messages, images, videos, and files you send and receive through the app.
• AI questions: questions you submit to the AI study assistant.
• Reports: information you provide when you report or block another user.

Information collected automatically

• Device & usage data: device type, operating system, app version, and basic usage events needed to operate and improve the app.
• Push notification token: a token used to deliver notifications to your device.
• Log data: technical logs (such as error reports) used to keep the service running.

Calls

One-to-one audio and video calls are transmitted directly between users (peer-to-peer) where possible. We do not record the audio or video content of your calls.

3. How we use your information

• To create and manage your account and let you sign in.
• To deliver messages, media, calls, and notifications.
• To provide the AI study assistant and improve its responses.
• To scan images for unsafe content (see "AI features" and "Safety").
• To keep the service secure, prevent abuse, and respond to reports.
• To comply with legal obligations.

4. AI features

When you ask the AI study assistant a question, your question is sent to a third-party AI provider (such as Google Gemini, OpenAI, or Anthropic, depending on configuration) to generate a response. To reduce cost and improve speed, answers to common questions may be stored ("cached") and reused. Do not include sensitive personal information in AI questions. AI responses may not always be accurate and should not be relied on as professional advice.

5. How information is shared

We do not sell your personal information. Information is shared only as needed to run the app:

• With other users: messages, media, and profile details you choose to share are visible to the people and groups you send them to.
• With service providers: trusted third parties who help us operate the app (hosting, AI, image moderation, notifications) — listed below.
• For legal reasons: if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of users or the public.

6. Third-party services

Vaaqchat relies on third-party providers that may process limited data on our behalf, including:

• Cloud hosting & database — to store accounts, messages, and app data.
• AI providers (e.g. Google, OpenAI, Anthropic) — to answer AI study questions.
• Image moderation (e.g. Sightengine or similar) — to detect unsafe images.
• Push notifications (e.g. Expo / Apple / Google) — to deliver notifications.
• Calling infrastructure (STUN/TURN provider) — to help establish calls.

Each provider has its own privacy practices. We encourage you to review them.

7. Data retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. You may delete your account at any time (see "Your rights"); when you do, we delete or anonymize your personal information except where we must retain it for legal, security, or fraud-prevention reasons.

8. Your rights and choices

• Access & correction: you can view and update your profile information in the app.
• Deletion: you can delete your account, which removes your personal data as described above. To request deletion, use the in-app option or contact us at [INSERT CONTACT EMAIL].
• Block & report: you can block users and report content directly in the app.
• Notifications: you can turn off push notifications in your device settings.
• Regional rights: depending on where you live (e.g. the EU/UK under GDPR, or India under the DPDP Act), you may have additional rights such as data portability or the right to object to processing. Contact us to exercise them.

9. Children & minors

Vaaqchat is intended for students and may be used by minors in line with the minimum age set out in our Terms. We do not knowingly collect more personal information from minors than is necessary to provide the service. If you are under the age of [INSERT MINIMUM AGE, e.g. 13/16/18], you may use Vaaqchat only with the consent and supervision of a parent or guardian where required by local law. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child in a way not permitted by law, we will delete it. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided personal data may contact us at [INSERT CONTACT EMAIL].

10. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption of sensitive data in transit and hashing of passwords. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. International users

Your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your own, including where our service providers operate. By using Vaaqchat you consent to such transfer, subject to applicable law.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the updated version here and change the "Last updated" date. Significant changes may also be notified in the app.

13. Contact us

For any privacy questions or requests, contact us at:
[INSERT CONTACT EMAIL]
[INSERT LEGAL ENTITY / ADDRESS]