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Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding data collection and use when you use the GiveIt mobile application.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

  • Email Address: Required for account creation and authentication

  • Username: Displayed publicly with your items and profile

  • Profile Picture: Optional, displayed on your profile and items

  • Password: Encrypted and stored securely (we cannot see your password)

1.2 Location Data

With your permission, we collect location information to:

  • Show you items available near your location

  • Allow you to set the location of items you post

  • Calculate distances between you and available items

Note: Location access is optional. You can use the app without sharing your location, but you'll see items from the entire country instead of nearby items.

1.3 User Content

We collect content you create and share:

  • Items: Descriptions, photos, categories, and condition of items you post

  • Messages: Chat messages you send to other users

  • Images: Photos you upload for items, profile pictures, and chat messages

  • Reviews: Ratings and comments you leave for other users

1.4 Device and Usage Information

We automatically collect:

  • Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version

  • Usage Analytics: How you interact with the app (features used, screens viewed, actions taken)

  • Push Notification Tokens: To send you notifications about items and messages

  • IP Address: For security and fraud prevention

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide Services: Enable you to post items, browse available items, and communicate with other users

  • Location-Based Features: Show you items near your location and calculate distances

  • Communication: Facilitate messaging between users and send you notifications

  • Community Building: Display user profiles, reviews, and donation history to build trust

  • Improve Our Service: Analyze usage patterns to enhance app functionality and user experience

  • Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats

  • Compliance: Meet legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service

3. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely using:

  • Firebase (Google Cloud Platform): For database, storage, and authentication

  • Encrypted Storage: Passwords and sensitive data are encrypted

  • Secure Local Storage: Credentials stored locally using device Keychain (iOS) or KeyStore (Android)

We implement industry-standard security measures including encryption, secure authentication, and regular security audits. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Public Information

The following information is visible to all users:

  • Username

  • Profile picture

  • Items you post (title, description, photos, location, category)

  • Reviews you receive (ratings and comments)

  • Total donations count

4.2 Service Providers

We share data with trusted service providers who help us operate the app:

  • Google Firebase: For hosting, database, storage, authentication, and analytics

  • Apple/Google: For app distribution and push notifications

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.3 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or to:

  • Comply with legal processes or government requests

  • Enforce our Terms of Service

  • Protect the rights, property, or safety of GiveIt, our users, or others

  • Prevent fraud or security threats

5. Your Rights and Choices

Under GDPR and other privacy laws, you have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data

  • Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information

  • Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data

  • Portability: Receive your data in a portable format

  • Objection: Object to certain processing of your data

  • Withdraw Consent: Revoke location or notification permissions at any time

To exercise these rights, you can:

  • Update your profile information directly in the app

  • Delete your account through the app settings (this permanently deletes all your data)

  • Contact us at the email address provided below

6. Location Data

Location data is used only to:

  • Show you items near your location

  • Allow you to set item locations

  • Calculate distances between users and items

You can:

  • Grant or revoke location permission at any time in your device settings

  • Use the app without location access (you'll see country-wide items instead)

Location data is stored as geohash codes (not exact coordinates) and is not shared with other users beyond showing approximate distances.

7. Children's Privacy

GiveIt is intended for users aged 16 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately and we will delete that information.

8. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as:

  • Your account is active

  • Necessary to provide our services

  • Required by law or to resolve disputes

When you delete your account, we permanently delete:

  • Your account information

  • All items you posted

  • All messages and chat history

  • All images you uploaded

  • Your reviews (given and received)

  • All notifications

Some information may remain in backup systems for up to 30 days before permanent deletion.

9. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including in the United States. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.

10. 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 on this page

  • Updating the "Last Updated" date

  • Sending you a notification through the app (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the app after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Us

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

Email: petrutalexandra9@gmail.com

App Name: GiveIt

Country: Romania

12. Additional Information for EU Users

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

  • Right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

  • Right to restriction of processing

  • Right to data portability

Our legal basis for processing your data includes:

  • Consent: For location data and optional features

  • Contract Performance: To provide the services you requested

  • Legitimate Interests: For analytics, security, and service improvement

  • Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws

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