Privacy Policy

1Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you create an account and use AlterDating, we collect:

Account Information:

Email address
Phone number (for verification)
Name
Date of birth (to verify you're 18+)
Gender
Password (encrypted)

Profile Information:

Profile photos
Bio/About me text
Occupation and company
Education and university
Physical attributes (height, body type, ethnicity, hair color)
Lifestyle choices (smoking, drinking, exercise habits, relationship status)
Interests and hobbies
Relationship preferences (what you're looking for, gender preference, age range, distance)

User Content:

Messages you send to other users
Photos you upload and share
Reported content and communications with support

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

Device Information:

Device type and model
Operating system version
Unique device identifiers
Mobile network information
App version

Location Data:

Approximate location (city/region) for matching purposes
Derived from IP address or GPS with your permission
Used only for showing distance between users and finding nearby matches

Usage Data:

App features you use
Time spent on app
Interaction with other profiles
Crash reports and performance data

Analytics Data:

We use Mixpanel to understand app usage
Event tracking (screen views, button clicks, feature usage)

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We do not currently integrate with third-party services (Facebook, Google, etc.) for sign-in or data collection.

2How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

2.1 Provide and Improve the Service

Create and maintain your account
Match you with compatible users based on preferences
Display your profile to potential matches
Enable messaging between matched users
Personalize your experience

2.2 Safety and Security

Verify your identity and age (18+ requirement)
Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and violations of Terms of Service
Enforce our Community Guidelines
Respond to user reports and investigate complaints
Protect users from harmful behavior

2.3 Communications

Send you service-related notifications
Respond to your inquiries and support requests
Send updates about new features (you can opt-out)
Send push notifications about matches and messages (you can control this)

2.4 Analytics and Improvement

Analyze app usage patterns
Fix bugs and technical issues
Develop new features
Conduct research to improve matching algorithms

2.5 Legal Compliance

Comply with legal obligations
Respond to lawful requests from authorities
Protect our legal rights

3How We Share Your Information

3.1 With Other Users

Your profile information is visible to other users according to your privacy settings
Your approximate location (city, distance) is shown to potential matches
Private photos are only visible to users you explicitly share them with
Messages are visible only to you and the recipient

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the App:

Analytics: Mixpanel (for usage analytics) - Only aggregated, non-personal usage data. Privacy Policy
Push Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging - Device tokens for delivering notifications. Privacy Policy

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and can only use it to provide services to us.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to:

Comply with legal process (subpoena, court order)
Enforce our Terms of Service
Protect the rights, property, or safety of AlterDating, our users, or the public
Investigate potential violations of our policies

3.4 Business Transfers

If AlterDating is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

4Data Storage and Security

4.1 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures:

Encryption:

All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS
Passwords are hashed using bcrypt
Local data stored on your device is encrypted using MMKV with encryption keys
Messages are securely stored and transmitted

Access Controls:

Limited employee access to user data
Multi-factor authentication for admin access
Regular security audits

Infrastructure:

Secure cloud hosting with reputable providers
Regular backups
DDoS protection
Firewall protection

4.2 Data Retention

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

Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
Messages: Retained until you or the recipient deletes them
Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely (anonymized)
Deleted Accounts: Permanent deletion within 30 days (some data may be retained for legal compliance)
Backups: Deleted data may remain in backups for up to 90 days

4.3 Data Breaches

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will:

Notify affected users within 72 hours
Report to relevant authorities as required by law
Take immediate steps to secure the breach
Provide guidance on protective measures

5Your Privacy Rights

5.1 Access and Control

You have the right to:

Access: View all personal data we have about you - Request a copy via email to privacy@thealter.app
Correction: Update or correct your information - Edit your profile directly in the app or contact support for assistance
Deletion: Delete your account and associated data - Account Settings → Delete Account. Permanent deletion within 30 days
Data Portability: Receive a copy of your data in a portable format - Request via privacy@thealter.app
Object to Processing: Object to how we use your data - Adjust privacy settings in the app or contact us to discuss concerns
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing - Adjust notification and privacy settings or delete your account

5.2 Privacy Settings

Within the app, you can control:

Who can see your profile
What photos are public vs. private
Discovery preferences (who can find you)
Notification preferences
Location sharing
Message read receipts

5.3 Marketing Opt-Out

You can opt-out of promotional communications:

Email unsubscribe link
App notification settings
Email preferences@thealter.app

6Location Data

6.1 How We Use Location

We use your approximate location to:

Show you potential matches nearby
Display distance between you and other users
Filter matches by location preferences

6.2 Location Permissions

Required: Approximate location (city/region level)
Optional: Precise GPS location for more accurate distance
You can disable location services anytime in device settings
Disabling may limit app functionality

6.3 Location Sharing

We never share your exact GPS coordinates with other users
Only approximate distance is shown (e.g., "5 km away")
You can hide your distance in privacy settings

7Third-Party Services

7.1 Analytics

Mixpanel: Usage analytics and event tracking. No personally identifiable information shared.Privacy Policy

7.2 Cloud Services

Firebase: Push notifications (FCM). Device tokens only, no personal content.Privacy Policy

7.3 Links to Other Sites

The App may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. Please review their privacy policies.

8Children's Privacy

AlterDating is strictly for users 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

If we discover that a user under 18 has provided personal information:

We will immediately delete the account
We will delete all associated data
We will notify the user if possible

If you believe a minor is using the app, please report to safety@thealter.app immediately.

9International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. These countries may have different data protection laws.

When we transfer data internationally, we:

Use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
Ensure adequate data protection safeguards
Comply with GDPR for EU users
Comply with applicable local laws

10Your California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:

Right to Know: What personal information we collect, use, and share
Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices

To exercise these rights, contact privacy@thealter.app.

California Shine the Light Law: Request information about data shared with third parties for marketing (we don't do this).

11European Users (GDPR)

11.1 Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data based on:

Contract: To provide the dating service you signed up for
Consent: For optional features like precise location, marketing
Legitimate Interest: For safety, security, and service improvement
Legal Obligation: To comply with laws

11.2 Your GDPR Rights

Right of access
Right to rectification
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object
Right to withdraw consent
Right to lodge a complaint with supervisory authority

11.3 Data Protection Officer

Contact our DPO: dpo@thealter.app

12Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app
Updating the "Last Updated" date
Sending an in-app notification for material changes
Requiring acceptance for significant changes

Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

Response Time

We aim to respond within 48 hours

14Additional Information

14.1 Cookies and Tracking

The App does not use cookies (web technology). We use:

Local storage (MMKV) on your device
Analytics SDKs (Mixpanel)
Device identifiers for analytics

14.2 Photo Privacy

Photos you upload are stored securely
You can mark photos as public or private
Private photos are only shown when you explicitly share them
We do not use facial recognition technology
We do not share your photos with third parties

14.3 Message Privacy

Messages are private between you and the recipient
Messages are encrypted in transit
We do not read your messages unless reported for violations
Messages can be deleted anytime
Deleted messages are permanently removed from servers

14.4 Matched User Data

When you match with someone, they can see:

Your public profile information
Your public photos
Your approximate location/distance
Your last active time (if enabled)

They cannot see:

Your exact location
Your private photos (unless shared)
Your email or phone number (unless you share it)
Other users you've matched with

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