Social Compass ("Social Compass", "we", "us", or "our") provides a real-time, crowdsourced nightlife guide that helps users understand the current vibe and busyness of local venues. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and share information.
By using the Social Compass mobile app and website (together, the "Services"), you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Services.
1. Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of information when you use Social Compass:
1.1 Information You Provide to Us
- Account information (if/when accounts are added):
Name, email address, username, profile photo, and any other details you choose to provide when creating or updating an account.
- Vibe votes and check-ins:
When you vote on a venue's vibe (e.g., Empty, Lively, Packed) or check in to a venue, we store your vote and associate it with a time, an approximate location, and the venue. These votes are typically processed and displayed in aggregate and not under your name publicly.
- Communications:
If you contact us by email or through in-app forms (for support, feedback, or other reasons), we collect the information you provide, such as your name, email, and message content.
1.2 Information We Automatically Collect
When you use the Services, we may automatically collect:
- Device information:
Device model, operating system, app version, language, and timezone.
- Usage data:
In-app actions such as screen views, taps, session length, error logs, and basic analytics (for example, which features are used most).
- Approximate location data:
With your permission, we use your device's location services to determine an approximate location so we can show nearby venues and allow you to vote on venues around you. We do not need or use continuous background location tracking; we generally request location only while the app is in use.
- IP address and general network data:
Used for security, fraud prevention, and approximate geolocation when precise location is not available.
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- Sign-in and social logins (if enabled in the future):
If you choose to sign in with a third-party provider (such as Google or Apple), we may receive basic profile information (for example, name and email) as permitted by that provider.
- Analytics and crash reporting:
We may use third-party services (such as Google Analytics for Firebase or similar tools) to help us understand app performance and usage patterns.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for these purposes:
- Provide and maintain the Services
- Show nearby venues and allow you to vote Empty, Lively, or Packed.
- Aggregate votes to display real-time crowd and vibe information.
- Improve and personalize the user experience
- Understand which features are used most and how the app performs.
- Optimize venue recommendations and improve overall usability.
- Security and fraud prevention
- Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or abusive use of the Services.
- Maintain the integrity of the voting system.
- Communications
- Respond to your support requests and feedback.
- Send important service-related notices (for example, changes to this Privacy Policy or terms).
- Legal and compliance obligations
- Enforce our Terms of Use.
- Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and lawful requests.
We use your information only where we have a legal basis, including your consent, performance of a contract (providing the Services), legitimate interests (such as app security and product improvement), and compliance with legal obligations.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers and vendors
We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, crash reporting, email delivery, or customer support. These providers are only authorized to use your information as necessary to provide services to us and must handle it in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
- Aggregated and de-identified data
We may share or publicly display aggregated or de-identified information that does not reasonably identify you. For example, we may show the percentage of votes for Empty / Lively / Packed at a venue or in a neighborhood without revealing individual voter identities.
- Legal requirements and protection of rights
We may share information if we believe it is reasonably necessary to:
- Comply with any applicable law, regulation, or governmental request.
- Enforce our Terms of Use or protect the security or integrity of the Services.
- Protect the rights, property, or safety of Social Compass, our users, or the public.
- Business transfers
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or similar transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will take reasonable steps to ensure the new entity honors this Privacy Policy or provides notice of changes.
4. Location Data
Social Compass uses location data to help you discover nearby venues and ensure that vibe votes are relevant to the venues around you.
- We generally only access your location while you are using the app, unless you specifically allow otherwise in your device settings.
- You can disable location permissions at any time in your device settings, but some features may not work correctly without location access (for example, nearby venue discovery and contextual voting).
We do not track your precise location in the background for advertising or unrelated purposes.
5. Cookies and Similar Technologies (Website)
If you use our website or web app, we may use cookies or similar tracking technologies to:
- Keep you signed in or remember your preferences.
- Understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some website features may not function correctly.
6. Data Retention
We keep your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
For example:
- Vibe votes and aggregated metrics may be kept as anonymized or de-identified data for analytics and product improvement.
- Account-related information (if accounts are used) is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after you close it, to comply with legal obligations and resolve disputes.
- Support communications may be retained as needed for recordkeeping and training.
When information is no longer needed, we will delete or de-identify it in a reasonable manner.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have some or all of the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal obligations that may require us to keep certain data.
- Restriction or objection: Request that we restrict certain processing, or object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Withdraw consent: Where our processing is based on your consent (for example, certain analytics or marketing communications), you may withdraw that consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address provided in the Contact Us section below. We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request.
You can also use your device and app-store settings to:
- Adjust or revoke location permissions.
- Control push notifications.
- Uninstall the app at any time.
8. Children's Privacy
Social Compass is intended for use by individuals who are at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13, or under the minimum age required by applicable law.
If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the details below.
9. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access. These measures may include encryption in transit, access controls, and regular monitoring.
However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure. While we work to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
10. International Data Transfers
Depending on where you are located, your information may be processed and stored in countries outside your own, which may have different data-protection laws. Where required by law, we will implement appropriate safeguards (such as contractual protections) to protect your information when it is transferred across borders.
11. Third-Party Links and Services
The Services may contain links to third-party websites, apps, or services (for example, map or navigation apps when you tap "Directions"). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes, we may provide additional notice (such as a prominent notice in the app or by email, where appropriate).
Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of an updated Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, our data practices, or your rights, please contact us at:
Social Compass – Privacy Inquiries
Email: thesocialcompassapp@gmail.com
Address: [Your Company Name / Legal Entity]
[Street Address]
[City, State, ZIP, Country]