Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Hellbound Hearts ("we," "our," or "the Platform") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our horror-themed social platform.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide:

• Account information (email, username, password)
• Profile information (name, bio, photos, interests)
• Dating profile details (age, preferences, location)
• Content you create (posts, reviews, comments, messages)
• Payment information (for premium features)

Information Collected Automatically:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, features used, interaction patterns)
• Location data (if you enable location services)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

Information from Third Parties:

• OAuth provider information (Google, Discord, Twitter)
• Public profile information from linked accounts
• Information from other users (tags, mentions)

2.5. Mobile App Data Collection

Our Android mobile app (available on Google Play) uses Capacitor WebView technology to display our web platform. The app collects and processes the same data as our website, with these mobile-specific considerations:

Permissions Used:

• Internet Permission: Required to load web content and connect to our servers. This is the only permission our app requires.

Mobile-Specific Data:

• WebView Cache: The app uses Android WebView which may cache web content locally on your device for performance
• Device Information: Basic device info (model, OS version) may be collected for compatibility and troubleshooting
• No Additional Permissions: We do not access your camera, contacts, microphone, photos, location sensors, or other device features without explicit permission

Google Play Data Safety:

Our app's data collection practices are disclosed in the Google Play Store Data Safety section. The mobile app does not collect any data beyond what is collected through the website, and follows the same privacy practices outlined in this policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Provide dating and social features
• Match you with compatible users based on preferences
• Display your profile to other users (based on your privacy settings)
• Process payments for premium features
• Send notifications about matches, messages, and platform updates
• Improve our services and develop new features
• Ensure platform safety and prevent abuse
• Comply with legal obligations
• Provide customer support

4. Location Data

We collect location data to provide location-based features such as:

• Finding matches near you
• Showing local horror events and venues
• Displaying distance to potential matches

You can control location sharing through your privacy settings:

• Exact: Share precise location
• City: Share only city-level location
• Hidden: Don't share location

5. Information Sharing

We share information with:

Other Users:

• Your public profile information
• Content you post publicly
• Dating profile (to potential matches)
• Messages (to recipients)

Service Providers:

• Payment processors (Stripe)
• Cloud storage providers
• Analytics services
• Email service providers

Legal Requirements:

• When required by law or legal process
• To protect rights, property, or safety
• To investigate fraud or security issues

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. When you delete your account:

• Profile information is removed within 30 days
• Some data may be retained for legal compliance
• Anonymized data may be kept for analytics
• Messages sent to others remain in their accounts

7. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete your account and data
• Download your data (data portability)
• Opt-out of marketing communications
• Control who sees your profile
• Manage notification preferences
• Block or report other users

8. Data Security

We implement security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Secure password hashing (bcrypt)
• Regular security audits
• Limited access to personal information
• Secure data centers

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in
• Remember your preferences
• Analyze platform usage
• Provide personalized content
• Prevent fraud

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but some features may not work properly without them.

10. Children's Privacy

Hellbound Hearts is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If we discover a user is under 18, we will delete their account and information.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the CCPA:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of sale of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

13. GDPR Rights (European Users)

If you're in the European Economic Area, you have additional rights:

• Right to be informed about data processing
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Rights related to automated decision-making

14. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via:

• Email notification
• Platform notification
• Prominent notice on the website

15. Consent

By using Hellbound Hearts, you consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. For certain data processing activities, we may ask for your explicit consent.