Pocket Tribe Privacy Policy
At Pocket Tribe, we are committed to protecting your privacy and fostering a safe, anonymous space for peer support in small communities (3-20 members) and AI-driven wellness tools. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our website (https://pocket-tribe.com), mobile apps, or services (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you consent to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.
1. Our Commitment to Anonymity
Pocket Tribe is designed to be anonymous. We do not require you to provide personally identifiable information (e.g., real names, email addresses, or phone numbers) to join tribes or use wellness features. However, some data we collect may still be subject to privacy laws, and we take steps to protect it as described below.
2. Information We Collect
We collect limited information to operate the Service, ensure anonymity, and improve your experience:
Information You Provide:
- Account Data: When you sign up, you may provide a username (not your real name) and optional details like interests or challenges (e.g., "I struggle with anxiety") to help us match you to tribes.
- User Content: Messages, posts, or responses you share in tribes or with our AI tool, TribeBuddy (e.g., text chats, wellness survey answers).
- Wellness Preferences: Choices you make in the wellness hub, such as selecting breathing exercises or workout types.
- Location Data (Optional): If you choose local matching, you may provide a zip code, which is truncated to the first 3 digits for anonymity and used temporarily via a secure third-party API.
Automatically Collected Data:
- Usage Data: Information about how you use the Service, like pages visited, tribes joined, or features used (e.g., number of chats or sessions).
- Device Data: Anonymized technical details, such as device type, browser, IP address (masked), or operating system, to optimize performance.
- Analytics: Aggregate data on user trends (e.g., average messages per tribe) to improve the Service.
No Protected Health Information (PHI): We do not collect or process PHI as defined by HIPAA, as we are not a healthcare provider. However, some User Content (e.g., mental health discussions) or truncated location data may be considered sensitive under other privacy laws.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Match you to relevant tribes (3-20 members) based on shared experiences or interests.
- Provide AI-driven wellness tools, like TribeBuddy's text chats or text-to-speech guided exercises.
- Monitor chats with AI for high-risk phrases (e.g., "suicide," "harm") and respond with crisis resources (e.g., 988 hotline) without storing flagged data.
- Use truncated zip codes (first 3 digits) via a secure third-party API to match you with others within approximately 50 miles, with data deleted post-matching.
- Analyze usage trends to improve the Service (e.g., optimizing tribe sizes).
- Comply with legal obligations, such as responding to lawful requests.
Email Communications (With Your Consent)
If you provide your email address and consent to marketing communications, we may use it to:
- Provide and manage the functionality and service that the Service offers.
- Send you notifications and updates about the Service and contact you with administrative messages.
- Verify your identity and communicate with you about your account.
- Improve our products and services and prevent fraud.
- Invite you to participate in surveys and provide feedback.
- Send you information about new features, wellness tips, and community updates.
You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or contacting us at support@pocket-tribe.com.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your data or share it for advertising purposes. We may share information in these cases:
- Third-Party Service Providers: We use trusted providers to operate the Service, including:
- Firebase (Google): For database, authentication, and hosting. Data is anonymized and processed per Google's Data Processing Agreement.
- Google Gemini API: For AI matching, TribeBuddy chats, and crisis detection. Inputs are not used to train models, and we minimize sensitive data.
- ElevenLabs: For text-to-speech wellness audio. Only non-identifiable scripts are processed.
- Third-Party API: For location matching, we share only truncated zip codes, deleted post-use per the provider's agreement.
- Aggregated Data: We may share anonymized, aggregated data (e.g., "80% of users join anxiety tribes") for research or marketing.
- Legal Requirements: If required by law (e.g., court order), we may disclose data, but only to the extent necessary.
- Safety: If AI detects high-risk content, we may share limited, anonymized data with crisis resources (e.g., 988) to protect users.
5. Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information, including:
- End-to-end encryption for tribe chats (via Firebase).
- Anonymizing IP addresses and device data.
- Deleting flagged chat data and truncated zip codes immediately after AI responses or matching.
However, no system is 100% secure. You acknowledge the risks of sharing sensitive information, even anonymously.
6. Your Data Rights
Depending on your location (e.g., California, EU), you may have rights under laws like CCPA or GDPR, including:
- Access: Request a copy of your data.
- Deletion: Request removal of your data (e.g., account deletion).
- Opt-Out: Opt out of data collection (though this may limit Service functionality).
To exercise these rights, contact support@pocket-tribe.com. We'll respond within 30 days (or as required by law). Note: Anonymized data cannot be linked to you for deletion.
7. Children's Privacy
The Service is not intended for users under 13. If we learn a child under 13 has used the Service, we will delete their data. Parents can contact us at support@pocket-tribe.com for assistance, per COPPA.
8. International Users
If you access the Service from outside the U.S. (e.g., EU), your data may be processed in the U.S., where privacy laws differ. We aim to comply with GDPR and similar regulations, but some features may not fully meet international standards. By using the Service, you consent to data transfers.
9. Cookies and Tracking
We use minimal cookies for essential functions (e.g., session management). No third-party advertising trackers are used. You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We'll notify you via email or in-app notice. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
11. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or data requests, contact:
- Email: support@pocket-tribe.com
- Address: [Your Business Address]
By using Pocket Tribe, you acknowledge you've read, understood, and agreed to this Privacy Policy.