Privacy Policy

Welcome to Diaspora Link ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. 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 Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the Service.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Create an account (name, email address, password)
• Complete your profile (bio, profile photo, location, home country)
• Post job listings or housing listings
• Apply for jobs or contact landlords
• Offer or request rides
• Send messages to other users
• Post in community forums
• Upload files, photos, or documents
• Contact customer support

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use the Service, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device information (device type, operating system, unique device identifiers)
• Usage data (features used, time spent, interactions)
• Location data (approximate location based on IP address or GPS with your permission)
• Log data (IP address, browser type, access times, pages viewed)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

1.3 Information from Third Parties

If you sign up using a third-party service (e.g., Google), we may receive information from that service, such as your name, email address, and profile picture, in accordance with their authorization procedures.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, operate, and maintain the Service
• To create and manage your account
• To facilitate connections between diaspora community members
• To enable job posting, housing listings, and ride sharing
• To facilitate messaging and communications between users
• To send you notifications about jobs, housing, rides, and messages
• To personalize your experience and show relevant content
• To improve and optimize the Service
• To monitor and analyze usage trends and patterns
• To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems
• To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• To send you administrative information and updates
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 With Other Users

Your profile information (name, photo, bio, location) may be visible to other users based on your privacy settings. Job postings, housing listings, ride offers, and community posts are publicly visible within the app.

3.2 Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Cloud hosting and storage (Firebase, Google Cloud Platform)
• Analytics services (Firebase Analytics)
• Push notification services (Expo Push Notifications)
• Email delivery services
• Customer support tools

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, subpoenas, government agencies).

3.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• End-to-end encryption for private messages
• Secure data transmission using SSL/TLS encryption
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Secure cloud storage with Firebase Security Rules
• Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

5.1 Account Information

You can review and update your account information at any time by accessing your profile settings.

5.2 Privacy Settings

You can control your privacy settings in the app:

• Profile visibility (hide profile from searches)
• Email visibility (show/hide email on profile)
• Location visibility (show/hide location)
• Direct messages (allow/block new messages)
• Data collection (opt-in/opt-out of analytics)

5.3 Notifications

You can manage your notification preferences (push notifications and email notifications) in Settings.

5.4 Access and Portability

You have the right to access and receive a copy of your personal information. Contact us at privacy@diaspora-link.com to request your data.

5.5 Correction and Deletion

You can correct or delete your personal information through the app settings. To permanently delete your account and all associated data, go to Settings → Delete Account.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. When you delete your account:

• Your profile and personal information are permanently deleted
• Your posts, listings, and messages are removed or anonymized
• Some information may be retained in backups for up to 90 days
• We may retain certain information to comply with legal obligations

7. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of your country of residence. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data protection laws than your country.

We take appropriate safeguards to ensure that your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

9. Your Rights Under GDPR (European Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

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

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@diaspora-link.com.

10. Your Rights Under CCPA (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides you with specific rights:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to say no to the sale of personal information
• Right to access your personal information
• Right to delete your personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

We do not sell personal information. To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at privacy@diaspora-link.com.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Maintain your session and keep you logged in
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze usage patterns and improve the Service
• Provide personalized content and recommendations

You can control cookies through your device settings. Disabling cookies may limit some functionality of the Service.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending you a notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: