Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Sublime Innovation Technologies Limited (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates GossipLine, a location-based anonymous messaging application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and related services (collectively, the “Service”).

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use GossipLine.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account information: When you register, we collect your email address and password (securely hashed by our authentication provider).
• Profile information: You choose a display name and emoji avatar during onboarding. These are stored with your account and are visible to other users in your local chat area.
• Messages: The text content of messages you send through the Service. Messages are associated with the geographic location from which they were sent.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Location data: With your permission, we collect your device’s precise geographic location (latitude and longitude) to determine your local chat area. Location is updated periodically while the app is in use. We use a 0.5-mile radius to connect you with nearby users.
• Device information: We may collect basic device information such as device type, operating system version, and unique device identifiers for analytics and troubleshooting purposes.
• Usage data: Information about how you interact with the Service, such as session duration and feature usage.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Authenticate your identity and manage your account
• Determine your local chat area and connect you with nearby users
• Display your messages, display name, and avatar to other users in your area
• Monitor and analyze usage trends to improve user experience
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate GossipLine:

• Clerk: Handles user authentication, including email verification, password management, and session tokens. Clerk processes your email address and authentication credentials according to their own privacy policy.
• Convex: Provides our real-time backend database. Your profile data, messages, and location coordinates are stored on Convex’s infrastructure.
• Expo / React Native: The framework used to build and distribute the app. Expo may collect crash reports and basic analytics.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party providers.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

• With other users: Your display name, emoji avatar, and messages are visible to other users within your local chat area. Your email address is never shared with other users.
• With service providers: We share data with the third-party services described above, solely to operate the Service.
• For legal reasons: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account information and messages for as long as your account is active. Messages remain in the system as part of the local chat history. When you delete your account, we permanently delete your user profile and all messages you have sent. This deletion is irreversible.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Account Deletion

You can delete your account at any time from the Profile screen in the app. Account deletion permanently removes your profile data and all messages you have sent.

7.2 Location Permissions

You can revoke location permissions at any time through your device settings. However, location access is required for the core functionality of GossipLine — without it, you cannot participate in local conversations.

7.3 Rights Under GDPR (European Economic Area)

If you are located in the EEA, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Object to or restrict processing of your data
• Data portability
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

7.4 Rights Under CCPA (California)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information is collected about you
• Know whether your personal information is sold or disclosed, and to whom
• Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Access your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your data. Authentication credentials are securely handled by Clerk, and sensitive tokens are stored in your device’s secure storage. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children’s Privacy

GossipLine is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under these ages. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child below the applicable age, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to such countries. We take appropriate steps to ensure your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy within the app or on our website and updating the “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at: