PlaceChat

PlaceChat Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how PlaceChat (“PlaceChat”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the PlaceChat mobile application and related services (collectively, the “Service”).

Effective date: November 19, 2025

1. Who We Are & Scope

PlaceChat is a location-based chat application that lets users participate in real-time discussions associated with physical places (points of interest) shown on Apple Maps. This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the PlaceChat app located in the United States.

By using PlaceChat, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

PlaceChat is intended for users who are at least 13 years old. Users under 13 are not permitted to use the Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

Account information. When you sign up with email, Apple, or Google, we may collect your email address, display name, and profile image/ avatar URL if you choose to provide or allow it.
Guest access. You may use certain features as a guest (read-only). Guests do not provide identifying account details but may still generate usage data (e.g., which channels are viewed).
Profile details. You may choose a username, profile photo, or other optional profile details.
User-generated content. When you send messages, reactions, or other content, we store that content in order to operate the Service.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Device and log data. Our infrastructure providers may collect device information (e.g., device type, operating system), IP address, timestamps, and basic log data for security, analytics, and operational purposes.
Usage data. We may collect information about how you interact with the app, such as channels joined, messages viewed, and general activity patterns. This helps us improve performance, moderation, and user experience.
Crash and performance data. If enabled, we may receive crash reports and diagnostic information to maintain and improve app stability.

2.3 Location Information

PlaceChat uses your location to show nearby places and chat channels.

We request permission to access your device’s location while you are using the app.
Your location is used to determine which nearby channels or places to display.
We do not store your precise GPS location in our database. Location is processed in real time for app functionality and is not retained as a separate, user-specific location history.

You can control or revoke location access at any time through your device settings. Limiting location access may impact some features of the Service.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To create and manage your account, including authentication and security.
To operate location-based chat channels associated with places on Apple Maps.
To display your username and avatar alongside your messages.
To moderate content, enforce our content guidelines, and help keep the community safe.
To analyze how the Service is used and to improve performance, reliability, and features.
To prevent spam, abuse, and fraud.
To communicate with you about updates, security notifications, and support.

4. User-Generated Content & Moderation

PlaceChat is built around user-generated content (UGC) in real-time chat channels. We apply automated and manual measures to help keep the environment respectful and safe.

4.1 Prohibited Content

We prohibit, among other things:

Physical threats, violence, or weapon intent.
Targeted or severe harassment.
Sexual content meant to arouse, or any sexual content involving minors.
Hate speech or attacks against protected groups.
Self-harm encouragement or instructions.
Graphic violence, dangerous or illegal activity, or promotion of such acts.
Selling or distributing illegal drugs or weapons.
Doxxing or requests for personal identifying information.
Human trafficking, exploitation, or content that could endanger children.

4.2 Moderation & Community Controls

Automated checks may block or flag usernames, profile pictures, and messages that appear to violate these rules. When blocked, the app may show a notice such as: “Profile/Username/Message violates content policy.”
Messages that receive a significantly negative community rating (for example, many more downvotes than upvotes) may be automatically hidden and replaced with “Message hidden”, while still allowing users to view the original content by explicitly choosing to do so.
We may temporarily or permanently restrict access to the Service for accounts that repeatedly violate our policies.

Important: While we make reasonable efforts to enforce our guidelines, we cannot guarantee that all user-generated content will be reviewed or removed. You may still encounter content you find offensive or inappropriate.

5. Cookies & Similar Technologies

PlaceChat does not use traditional web cookies within the mobile app, but our service providers and infrastructure may use technical mechanisms (such as tokens, local storage, or similar identifiers) to keep you signed in, secure the Service, and perform analytics.

We do not use these technologies for cross-app advertising tracking or to sell your personal data.

6. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following limited ways:

Service providers. We use third-party service providers for hosting, authentication, caching, and infrastructure. These providers may process your information on our behalf and are obligated to handle it securely.
Maps and location services. We use Apple Maps to display map tiles and places (points of interest). Apple may collect data in accordance with its own privacy policies when you use Apple Maps features.
Legal requirements. We may disclose information if required to do so by law, subpoena, or court order, or if we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to: (i) comply with legal obligations; (ii) protect and defend our rights or property; (iii) prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service; or (iv) protect the personal safety of users or the public.

7. Data Retention

Account data. We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your profile data within a reasonable period, subject to legal or operational requirements.
Messages and user-generated content. Chat messages and related content may be retained to preserve the integrity and history of channels, even after you delete your account. In such cases, your messages are anonymized (for example, by replacing your username and avatar with generic ones).
Logs and analytics. Technical logs and analytics data may be retained for a limited period for security, debugging, and service improvement.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your information, including encryption in transit where appropriate and access controls on our systems.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Age Requirements

PlaceChat is intended for adult users (13+). We do not knowingly allow users under 13 to create accounts or use the Service.

10. Your Choices & Rights

10.1 Access and Updates

You can view and update certain account and profile information directly within the app settings (for example, your username, avatar, or email address, where applicable).

10.2 Account Deletion

You may delete your account at any time through the app settings. When you do:

Your profile and identifying details are deleted or anonymized.
Your past messages may be retained to preserve channel history but will no longer display your username or avatar.

10.3 Location Permissions

You can control or revoke location permissions through your device settings. If you disable location, certain features of PlaceChat may not function as intended.

11. International Use

The Service is currently intended for users located in the United States. If you access PlaceChat from outside the United States, you understand that your information may be processed and stored in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Effective date” at the top of this page. In some cases, we may provide additional notice (such as an in-app message or email) if changes are material.

Your continued use of PlaceChat after any changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, you can contact us at:

Email: support@placechat.app

This Privacy Policy is intended to provide a clear, high-level overview of our data practices. It does not create contractual rights beyond those in our Terms of Use.