1. Introduction
Welcome to Handlz. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy will inform you about how we look after your personal data when you use our application and tell you about your privacy rights.
2. Information We Collect
We collect and process the following types of information:
• Account Information: Name, email address, and password
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, and social media links
• Web Profile Data: Your public username and web profile URL (if enabled)
• Saved Profiles: List of web profiles you have saved (up to 5)
• Report Data: Information you provide when reporting other profiles (reason and optional description)
• Location Data: Your precise location coordinates, city, and country if you grant permission
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our application
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, and unique device identifiers
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
• To provide and maintain our application
• To create and manage your user account
• To display your profile information to other users
• To display your public web profile to anyone with the URL (if enabled)
• To enable the saved profiles feature for quick access
• To review and act on profile reports to maintain community safety
• To improve and personalize your experience
• To communicate with you about updates and changes
• To detect, prevent and address technical issues
• To comply with legal obligations
4. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored securely using Firebase services, which employ industry-standard security measures including:
• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Secure data centers with physical security measures
While we strive to protect your personal data, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
• With other users: Your public profile information (name, photo, bio, and public links) is visible to other users of the application
• Public web profiles: If you enable your web profile, it becomes publicly accessible to anyone with the URL, not just app users
• Saved profiles: Your saved profiles list is private and not shared with anyone
• Service providers: We may share data with third-party service providers who help us operate our application (e.g., Firebase, Google)
• Legal requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred
6. Web Profile Data
When you enable the Web Profile feature, certain information becomes publicly accessible:
• Your name, profile photo, and bio
• Links you have marked as "Show on Web"
• Your public web profile URL (handlz.net/profile/[username])
The following information is NOT shared on web profiles:
• Your location data (city/country)
• Your email address
• Links marked as private or not "Show on Web"
• Your saved profiles list
You can disable your web profile at any time through the profile settings, which will immediately remove public access to your web profile.
7. Profile Reports
When you submit a report about another user's profile, we collect:
• Your user ID and email address (to prevent abuse and follow up if needed)
• The reported user's ID and display name
• The reason you selected for the report
• Any optional description you provide (up to 100 characters)
• The date and time of the report
This information is used solely to review reports and take appropriate action to maintain community safety. Reports are kept confidential and are not shared with the reported user. Report data is retained for as long as necessary to investigate and resolve the report, or as required by law.
8. Your Privacy Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
• Access: You can view your profile information at any time
• Correction: You can update or correct your information through the profile settings
• Deletion: You can delete your account and all associated data at any time
• Data portability: You can request a copy of your data
• Withdraw consent: You can withdraw consent for location tracking or other optional features
• Object to processing: You can object to certain types of data processing
9. Location Data and Background Tracking
We request access to your location to enable the Discover feature, which helps you find and connect with people nearby. This feature is optional, and you can:
• Deny location permission when prompted
• Revoke location permission in your device settings at any time
• Use the application without providing location data
How Location Tracking Works:
• We collect your precise GPS coordinates, which are used to calculate distances and determine your city and country
• Your location updates when you open the app
• If you grant "Always Allow" permission, your location updates in the background at decreasing intervals to preserve battery:
- First 2 hours: every 10 minutes
- 2-4 hours: every 20 minutes
- 4-6 hours: every 30 minutes
- 6-9 hours: every 45 minutes
- 9-12 hours: every 60 minutes
• Location also updates when you move 100 meters or more
• Background tracking automatically stops after 12 hours of app inactivity
• Tracking resumes at full frequency when you reopen the app
• On Android, a persistent notification appears while background tracking is active
Why 12 Hours? Users who haven't updated their location in 12 hours are automatically removed from the Discover page. This ensures you only see active, nearby users while minimizing battery usage and respecting your privacy.
What We Don't Track:
• We do not track your movement patterns or location history
• We do not store location history beyond your current location
• Your location is never shared on public web profiles
• Your location is only visible to other app users on the Discover page
10. Children's Privacy
Our application is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.
11. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. When you delete your account, we permanently delete all your personal data from our systems, including:
• Profile information
• Profile photos and images
• Account credentials
• Usage data
Some data may be retained for a limited period if required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
12. Third-Party Services
Our application uses the following third-party services:
• Firebase (Google): Authentication, database, and storage services
• Google Sign-In: Optional authentication method
These services have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review them:
• Firebase Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
• Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us.