Privacy Policy

Introduction

Muhammad Usman ("we," "our," or "us") operates Patakha App (the "App"), a social chat platform designed for users 18 and older to connect with others based on shared interests through real-time text and audio chats. Users can also create and join interest-based groups to engage in community discussions. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your data while providing a safe and engaging experience. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), where applicable.

Information Collection and Use

Patakha App collects only the data necessary to facilitate real-time chats, match users based on shared interests, enable group creation and participation, ensure user safety, and improve app functionality. All data processing is designed to enhance your experience while prioritizing your privacy and security.

Data We Collect

• Account Information: Username, email address, and password (hashed) for account creation, authentication, and profile management.
• Interests: User-selected interests (e.g., photography, gaming) to enable interest-based matchmaking and group recommendations.
• Chat Data: Text messages and voice notes sent in one-on-one or group chats, stored to facilitate communication between users.
• Group Data: Information about groups you create or join (e.g., group name, member list) to manage group interactions.
• Device Information: IP address, device type, operating system, and unique device identifiers for functionality and security purposes.
• Reported Content: Data related to user reports (e.g., reported messages, user IDs) to enforce community guidelines and ensure safety.

How We Use Your Data

We use your data to provide, maintain, and improve Patakha App’s services in the following ways:

• Matchmaking: Pairing you with other users based on shared interests for one-on-one chats.
• Group Functionality: Enabling you to create, join, and participate in interest-based groups for community discussions.
• Chat Functionality: Delivering text messages and voice notes in real time via our servers.
• Account Management: Verifying your identity, managing your profile, and securing your account.
• User Safety: Detecting and preventing abuse, harassment, or spam through IP tracking, user reports, and blocking features.
• Legal Compliance: Responding to legal requests or enforcing our Terms of Service and community guidelines.

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. Your data is used solely to support the app’s functionality and ensure a safe user experience.

Data Storage and Processing

Your data is handled with care and stored securely using industry-standard practices:

• Database Storage: Account details (e.g., username, email, hashed password), chat messages, and group data are stored in a secure MongoDB database hosted on AWS.
• Voice Notes: Audio messages are uploaded to Amazon S3 for delivery, encrypted during transfer, and retained only as long as necessary to facilitate communication.
• Reported Content: Data related to user reports (e.g., reported messages, user IDs) is stored for review purposes and deleted after resolution or within 90 days, whichever is sooner.
• Data Retention: We retain personal data only as long as necessary to provide the service or comply with legal obligations. Chat messages are stored on our servers to enable communication and are deleted when you delete your account or as part of routine data cleanup (e.g., after 90 days of inactivity).

Data processing occurs on servers located in the United States. If you are accessing Patakha App from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred internationally, and you consent to such transfers by using the app.

Required Permissions

Patakha App requires the following permissions to function properly:

• INTERNET: To enable real-time chat, group interactions, and server communication.
• STORAGE/MEDIA: To upload and download voice notes (Android 10+ uses scoped storage for media access).
• MICROPHONE: To record and send voice notes in audio chats.
• NOTIFICATIONS: To alert you of new messages, matches, group activity, or app updates.
• NETWORK_STATE: To ensure connectivity for seamless chat and group functionality.

These permissions are necessary for the app’s core features. You can manage permissions via your device settings, but disabling them may limit functionality.

Safety Features

Patakha App is designed for users 18 and older, and we prioritize user safety through the following features:

• Age Verification: Users must confirm they are 18 or older before accessing the app.
• Reporting: Users can report inappropriate behavior or content, which is reviewed to enforce community guidelines.
• Blocking: Users can block others, ending chats and preventing further interaction with the blocked user.
• Chat Exit Options: Users can leave group chats or end one-on-one chats at any time to exit unsafe situations.
• Community Guidelines: We maintain strict guidelines prohibiting harassment, explicit content, and illegal activities, enforced through user reports.

While we provide these tools, users are responsible for their interactions and must comply with our Terms of Service and applicable laws.

Security Measures

We implement the following safeguards to protect your data:

• Encryption: Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms (e.g., bcrypt), and data transfers are secured with HTTPS and TLS.
• Access Control: Only authorized systems and personnel access your data for app functionality and safety purposes.
• Monitoring: We track IP addresses and user reports to detect and prevent abuse, spam, or security threats.
• Regular Audits: We conduct periodic security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in our systems.

Despite these measures, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but strive to protect your data to the fullest extent possible.

Advertisements

Patakha App is currently ad-free to provide an uninterrupted user experience. In the future, we may introduce advertisements to support the app’s development and keep it free for users. If ads are added:

• Ad Types: We may use banner, interstitial, or rewarded ads to enhance user engagement.
• Data Use: Ad providers (e.g., Google AdMob) may collect anonymous data (e.g., device identifiers, IP address) for ad targeting and analytics, but we will not share your personal data with advertisers.
• Control: You can manage ad personalization settings via your device settings or opt out of personalized ads through Google’s ad settings.

Any future ad integration will comply with Google Play’s policies and industry privacy standards, including GDPR and CCPA requirements.

User Controls and Data Management

We provide the following controls to manage your data and privacy in Patakha App:

• Profile Management: Edit your username, interests, or bio directly in the app’s settings.
• Chat History: Messages are stored on our servers to enable communication; deleting your account removes them from our servers.
• Data Access: You can request a copy of your data (e.g., account information, interests, chat history) by contacting us.
• Data Deletion: You can request to delete your account and all associated data (e.g., account information, chat messages, group data) by contacting us. We will process deletion requests within 30 days.
• Group Management: You can leave or delete groups you created at any time.

Under GDPR and CCPA, you have the right to access, correct, or delete your data, and to object to certain data processing. Contact us to exercise these rights.

Third-Party Services

Patakha App uses the following third-party services to support its functionality:

• Amazon S3: For storage and delivery of voice notes, with data encrypted during transfer and retained only as long as necessary.
• AWS: For hosting our servers and MongoDB database, ensuring secure and scalable infrastructure.
• Socket.IO: For enabling real-time chat functionality, with data encrypted during transfer.
• Future Ads (TBD): Potential ad providers like Google AdMob for monetization, as described in the Advertisements section.

These services are bound by their own privacy policies, which we ensure align with our commitment to protect your data. We do not share your personal data with third parties beyond what is necessary for app functionality.

Children’s Privacy

Patakha App is intended for users 18 and older and is not designed for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from users under 13. If we learn that a child under 13 has used the app, we will take the following actions:

• Delete their account and all associated data immediately.
• Block further access to the app to prevent future use.

Additionally, Google Play restricts access to Patakha App for users under 18, in line with our target age group. If you believe a child under 13 has accessed the app, please contact us immediately.

Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the app evolves or to comply with legal requirements. Changes will be communicated through the following methods:

• Updating this page with the revised policy.
• Displaying an in-app notification to inform you of significant changes.
• Revising the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

Continued use of Patakha App after updates implies acceptance of the new terms. We recommend checking this page periodically for changes.

Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at:

We aim to respond within 48 hours. For urgent privacy issues, please use "URGENT - Privacy Matter" in the email subject line to expedite our response.

Compliance and Legal

Patakha App is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We are not responsible for:

• User-generated content in chats or groups, including any inappropriate or illegal content shared by users.
• Network or connectivity issues that may affect app performance.
• Device compatibility limitations or hardware-related issues.
• Loss of data due to user actions (e.g., deleting the app) or circumstances beyond our control (e.g., server outages).

Users must comply with applicable laws, our Terms of Service, and community guidelines while using Patakha App. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, including those engaging in harassment, spam, or illegal activities.

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising from your use of Patakha App will be resolved in accordance with U.S. law.