Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Hamsey ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our proximity-based social networking application. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using our platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

• Name and Profile Information: Your display name, age, gender, and profile description
• Contact Information: Email address and phone number for account verification
• Photos and Videos: Profile pictures and images you choose to share
• Location Data: Your precise and approximate location to show nearby users
• Communication Data: Messages, photos, and other content you share with other users

2.2 Technical Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: How you interact with the app, features used, time spent
• Log Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, access times
• Cookies and Tracking: Analytics data to improve app performance

2.3 Biometric and Identity Verification Information

To promote authenticity and reduce fake profiles, Hamsey offers optional identity verification features.

Facial Verification (Grey Badge)

Users may verify their account using facial recognition technology. During this process, the app captures facial images or video solely to confirm that a real person is present and to prevent impersonation or fraudulent accounts. Successful completion grants a grey verification badge indicating basic identity confirmation.

Hamsey does not use facial recognition for surveillance, tracking, or identification outside the verification process. Biometric data collected for verification is processed securely and retained only as necessary to maintain verification status and platform safety.

Enhanced Verification (Gold Badge)

Users may optionally obtain enhanced verification through additional identity confirmation methods, including:

• Verification via LinkedIn account authentication
• Submission of a government-issued identification document

Enhanced verification grants a gold verification badge indicating a higher level of identity assurance.

Information provided for enhanced verification is used solely for identity confirmation and fraud prevention and is not shared publicly. Sensitive identity documents are handled securely and retained only as required for verification purposes and legal compliance.

Data Protection and User Control

Participation in identity verification is voluntary. Users who choose not to verify their identity may still use the platform with limited verification status.

Hamsey implements strict safeguards to protect biometric and identity information and does not sell, rent, or use such data for advertising, profiling, or unrelated purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Core App Functionality

• Matching: Show you nearby users based on your location and preferences
• Communication: Enable messaging and photo sharing between users
• Profile Management: Create and maintain your profile
• Safety: Verify user identities and prevent fraud

3.2 App Improvement

• Analytics: Understand how users interact with the app
• Performance: Monitor app performance and fix technical issues
• Features: Develop new features based on user behavior
• Personalization: Customize your experience and show relevant content

3.3 Safety and Security

• Moderation: Review and moderate user-generated content
• Reporting: Handle reports of inappropriate behavior
• Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Fraud Prevention: Detect and prevent fraudulent accounts

3.4 AI-Assisted Features and Third-Party Processing

Hamsey offers optional AI-assisted features designed to help users communicate more effectively. These features may include generating connection request suggestions, rephrasing user-written messages, providing conversation continuation ideas, improving grammar and clarity, and structuring user-provided content into concise summaries (such as highlighting recent achievements).

To provide these capabilities, Hamsey uses a third-party artificial intelligence service provider (Google Gemini API). When a user voluntarily engages an AI-assisted feature, the text entered by the user for that specific function is transmitted to the AI provider for processing and response generation.

Only the content necessary to perform the requested AI function is shared. Hamsey does not grant the AI provider access to user accounts, profile information, contact lists, location data, biometric data, or internal databases.

The transmitted content is used solely to provide the requested AI functionality and is handled in accordance with the AI provider's applicable privacy and security practices. Hamsey does not sell user data and does not use AI processing for advertising, profiling, or automated decision-making unrelated to the requested feature.

Use of AI-assisted features is entirely optional. By choosing to use these features, users consent to the processing of the content they submit for AI generation.

Users are advised not to include sensitive personal information in content submitted for AI processing.

4. Location Data Usage

4.1 Why We Collect Location Data

• Proximity Matching: Show you users who are nearby
• Distance Display: Show how far other users are from you
• Location-Based Features: Enable location-specific features
• Safety: Help ensure user safety in real-world meetings

4.2 How Location Data is Used

• Real-Time Location: Your current location is used to find nearby users
• Location History: We may store your location history to improve matching
• Background Location: We may access your location when the app is closed to notify you when someone nearby wants to connect
• Location Sharing: Your approximate location (not exact address) is shared with other users

4.3 Location Data Controls

• You can disable location services at any time in your device settings
• Disabling location will limit app functionality
• You can choose to share your location only when using the app
• You can block specific users from seeing your location

5. Information Sharing

5.1 With Other Users

• Profile Information: Your name, age, photos, and bio are visible to other users
• Location: Your approximate location is shared with nearby users
• Messages: Content you send to other users is visible to them
• Activity Status: Whether you're online or recently active

5.2 With Third Parties

• Service Providers: We share data with companies that help us operate the app (hosting, analytics, customer support, identity verification services)
• Legal Requirements: We may share information when required by law or to protect rights
• Business Transfers: Information may be transferred in case of merger or acquisition
• Consent: We may share information with your explicit consent

5.3 We Do NOT Share

• Your exact location coordinates
• Your phone number or email with other users
• Your private messages with third parties (except as required for safety or legal compliance)
• Your personal information for advertising purposes

6. Data Security

6.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information
• Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Secure Infrastructure: Industry-standard security practices

6.2 Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active
• Location Data: Retained for up to 12 months for matching purposes
• Messages: Retained until deleted by users or account closure
• Analytics Data: Retained for up to 24 months for app improvement
• Verification Data: Retained as necessary to maintain verification status and platform safety

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Access and Control

• View Your Data: Access all personal information we have about you
• Update Information: Correct or update your profile information
• Delete Account: Permanently delete your account and associated data
• Data Portability: Export your data in a machine-readable format

7.2 Privacy Settings

• Location Sharing: Control who can see your location
• Profile Visibility: Control who can see your profile
• Message Controls: Block users and report inappropriate behavior
• Notification Preferences: Control what notifications you receive

7.3 Opt-Out Options

• Location Services: Disable location sharing in device settings
• Push Notifications: Disable notifications in app settings
• Analytics: Opt out of analytics data collection
• Marketing: Opt out of promotional communications

8. Age Requirements

8.1 Minimum Age

• 18+ Only: Our app is only for users 18 years and older
• Age Verification: We verify user age during registration
• Parental Controls: Parents can contact us to remove underage accounts
• Reporting: Users can report underage accounts

9. International Users

9.1 Data Transfers

• Global Service: Your data may be transferred to and processed in different countries
• Adequate Protection: We ensure adequate protection for international transfers
• Local Laws: We comply with local privacy laws where applicable

9.2 Regional Rights

• EU Users: Additional rights under GDPR
• California Users: Additional rights under CCPA
• Other Regions: Rights as provided by local law

10. Updates to This Policy

10.1 Policy Changes

• Notification: We will notify you of significant changes
• Review: We encourage you to review this policy periodically
• Effective Date: Changes will be effective as of the date posted
• Continued Use: Continued use constitutes acceptance of changes

11. Contact Information

11.1 Privacy Questions

• Email: support@hamsey.co
• Phone:+91 7607012157
• Website: https://hamsey.co

11.2 Data Protection Officer

• Email: support@hamsey.co
• Response Time: We respond to privacy inquiries within 30 days

12. Legal Basis for Processing (EU Users)

12.1 Legal Grounds

• Consent: You consent to data processing for app functionality
• Contract: Processing necessary for app service provision
• Legitimate Interest: Processing for app improvement and safety
• Legal Obligation: Processing required by applicable law

13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

13.1 Your Rights

• Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how we use it
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of sale of personal information (we do not sell personal data)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate for exercising your rights

14. Children's Privacy

14.1 COPPA Compliance

• No Children: We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13
• Age Verification: We verify user age during registration
• Parental Rights: Parents can request deletion of a child's information
• Reporting: Report underage users to support@hamsey.co

Last Updated: February 26, 2025