Privacy Policy
Introduction
Pawhub ("we", "us", "our") provides a social platform to help pet owners connect, chat, share activities, and discover nearby pet-friendly places. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
Information We Collect
Account and Profile
We collect information you provide when creating an account or editing your profile, such as display name, email, profile photo, bio, and your pets (e.g., name, age, breed, images). Authentication may use Firebase Auth and Google Sign-In.
Usage and Communications
We process app interactions (likes, matches, chats, activities), notifications, and limited analytics (e.g., app opened) to maintain and improve the service.
Location
With your permission, we collect device location via the OS to show your position on the map, find nearby pets and places, and improve discovery features. You can disable location in Settings at any time.
Device and Log Data
We may receive basic device and app diagnostics for reliability and security. Error reporting is minimised and may include anonymous logs.
How We Use Information
Provide and personalise core features (profiles, pets, discovery, matches, chats).
Show relevant nearby results using your location (when enabled).
Send notifications (e.g., messages, matches) if you opt in.
Maintain safety, prevent abuse, and enforce our guidelines.
Improve performance, reliability, and user experience.
Sharing and Visibility
Your profile and pet content may be visible to other users according to app features and your settings. “Show friends activities” is mutual—if you disable it, you won’t see others’ activities, and others won’t see yours. We do not sell your personal information.
Data Processing and Services
We use trusted services like Firebase (Authentication, Firestore), Expo Notifications, and Google APIs (Maps/Places) to operate the app. These providers process data on our behalf under their terms and security standards.
User Content
You may upload photos, descriptions, and chat messages about you and your pets. These are stored securely in Firebase services (Firestore/Storage) and shared with other users according to the features you use (for example, public pet cards, matches, and chats). Please avoid sharing sensitive personal information in free text fields or images.
Analytics and Diagnostics
We use Firebase Analytics (where available) to understand feature usage and app performance. Analytics may collect event data, device identifiers, coarse location, and app interactions. You can disable analytics in your OS settings, where supported. Analytics is optional, and the app continues to function without it.
Push Notifications
If you enable notifications, we generate a push token (via Expo/OS services) and store it with your account to send alerts about messages, matches, reminders, and safety updates. You can disable notifications in the app or your device settings. Revoking permission stops new notifications, though previously received notifications may remain on your device.
Location and Maps
When enabled, precise or approximate location (depending on your device permissions) is used to centre maps and show nearby pets/places. We do not continuously track your location in the background. You can disable location permissions at any time in system settings; some features may be limited when location is off.
Children's Safety
Pawhub is not intended for children, and we do not knowingly collect their personal data. Parents and guardians should supervise children around unfamiliar pets and people.
Safety and Reporting
Use in-app tools to block users and manage visibility. For safety concerns or policy violations, use the report options available on user cards. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact local authorities.
Data Retention
We retain data for as long as necessary to provide the service and for legitimate business needs (e.g., security, legal compliance). You may request deletion of your account; some information may be retained as required by law or for fraud prevention.
Your Choices
Account: You can access, update, or delete information in Settings.
Notifications: Enable/disable in Settings or OS preferences.
Location: Turn on/off precise location in OS settings and in-app.
Visibility: Control activity visibility and who can interact with you.
Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International Transfers
Your information may be processed in countries different from your own. We rely on appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses, where applicable) when transferring data, consistent with applicable law.
Cookies and Tracking
We use analytics and basic diagnostic tools to improve reliability and performance. Ad-related SDKs may use identifiers for advertising where permitted. You can adjust ad/analytics settings in your device OS, where available.
Advertising and AdMob
We use Google AdMob to show ads. AdMob and related Google services may collect device identifiers (for example, the advertising ID), IP-based coarse location, app usage and diagnostics, ad impressions, and interactions to deliver and measure ads, prevent fraud, and enforce frequency caps. Where personalised ads are enabled and permitted by law, Google may use approximate demographics or interest segments.
Controls: You can opt out of personalised ads in your device settings (e.g., "Opt out of Ads Personalisation" or "Limit Ad Tracking"), and you can reset your device advertising ID at any time. Non-personalised ads may still appear. For EEA/UK users, we request consent for personalised ads and store your choice; you can change or withdraw it in-app, where provided.
Children and sensitive categories: The app is not directed to children. Where required, AdMob settings (such as child-directed flags or max ad content rating) are applied to reduce sensitive ad content.
Data sharing: Google may act as a controller for certain ad data. See Google’s AdMob/Ads privacy information for details on how data is used and retained. We do not sell your personal information.
Payments, Pawcoins, and Subscriptions
We manage in-app purchases (including Pawcoin balance, boosts, rewinds, premium plans, and map/who-likes-me add-ons) via app store billing. Purchase records, balances, and rewards are stored in your account in Firebase. We do not store full payment card details; payments are processed by the platform provider (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play) under their own terms.
Account Deletion
If you wish to delete your account and all associated data, you can do so directly within the Pawhub mobile app under Settings > Remove Account.
Alternatively, you can request account deletion by emailing us at support@pawhub.info. Please include your registered email address. We will verify your identity and permanently delete your account and data within 30 days.
Data Breach Notice
If we become aware of a data breach that poses a risk to you, we will notify you and/or regulators as required by law.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated in-app or by other appropriate means.
Your Rights
Subject to your local laws, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export your data, and to object to or restrict certain processing. You can make many changes in Settings; for other requests, contact us at support@pawhub.info.
Contact Us
Questions about this policy or your data? Contact us at support@pawhub.info.