Connections Plus is a service for posts, direct messages, group discussions, and public Communities. This Privacy Policy explains what information GBI Technologies, Inc. (“GBI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects when you use the Connections Plus app, website, and related services (the “Service”), how we use and disclose it, and the choices available to you.
This draft describes the intended service. Items in [brackets] must be checked against the actual app, website, vendors, and data flows before publication. Our Terms of Service contain the rules for using the Service.
GBI uses Google's Firebase Authentication to manage sign-in, Cloud Firestore to hold application data, and Cloud Storage for Firebase to hold uploaded files. Google provides the infrastructure on which this information is processed and stored for Connections Plus. GBI determines how the Service uses that information and remains responsible for the privacy practices described here. [Confirm any additional Firebase or Google services enabled in the project.]
1. Information we collect
Information you provide. When you create an account, we collect [confirm required fields: email address, username, display name, password or sign-in provider identifier, date of birth or age confirmation]. You may provide profile information such as [confirm fields: photo, biography, interests, location, links]. We collect posts, comments, Community contributions, direct messages, group messages, and images you upload, along with information about when and where in the Service you shared them. If you contact support or submit a report, we collect the information you send and our correspondence about it.
Information about your use. We may collect technical and activity information needed to run and protect the Service, such as device type, operating system, app version, IP address, approximate location inferred from IP address, login and security events, error logs, and actions you take in the Service. [Confirm the actual analytics and logging tools, events, identifiers, and retention periods.] We do not state that we collect precise device location, contacts, camera, microphone, or photo library contents unless you enable a relevant feature and we confirm what the app actually accesses. A photo you choose to upload is collected as your content.
Information from others. Other users may provide information about you in their posts, messages, reports, or invitations. We may receive information from [confirm sign-in providers, app stores, fraud-prevention vendors, or other integrations, if any].
Website technologies. Our website may use cookies or similar technologies for [confirm essential functions, analytics, preferences, or advertising]. Before publication, we will identify any nonessential tools and explain available controls. Your browser may let you limit cookies, though some site functions may then stop working.
2. How we use information
We use information to:
- Create and maintain accounts; authenticate users; and provide posts, messaging, discussions, and Communities.
- Deliver content to the people you or the Service's settings make it available to, and operate search, notifications, and other features [confirm actual features and controls].
- Respond to questions, support requests, reports, and appeals.
- Detect spam, fraud, abuse, security incidents, and violations of our Terms; investigate and take appropriate action.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, measure, and improve the Service [confirm whether product analytics or experiments are used].
- Send service-related notices and, only where permitted and configured, optional communications [confirm whether marketing emails or push notifications are planned and how users can opt out].
- Comply with legal obligations and protect the rights and safety of users, GBI, and others.
We do not use your posts or uploaded images in Connections Plus advertising or marketing without separately asking you. [Confirm whether content or personal information is used to train AI systems; add a specific disclosure before any such use.] We do not claim that any category of data is never used for a purpose until the full data inventory is confirmed.
3. Who can see your content
Your public profile information, posts, and contributions to public Communities can be seen by other users and may be copied or shared outside the Service. [Confirm whether public content is accessible without an account or indexed by search engines.] The audience for any other post or discussion depends on its settings and participants [confirm actual visibility options]. Direct and group messages are made available to their participants, not to the general public.
People who receive or view content may make screenshots or copies outside the Service. We cannot delete those outside copies. Authorized GBI personnel and service providers may access content when necessary to operate the Service, investigate reports, protect safety, or comply with law, subject to appropriate controls. [Confirm whether messages are end-to-end encrypted; do not describe them as such unless verified.]
4. When we disclose information
We disclose information in the following circumstances:
- To other users: as needed to show your profile and content to the audience for each feature, deliver messages, and show interactions.
- To service providers: Google processes account, application, and uploaded-file information for us through Firebase Authentication, Cloud Firestore, and Cloud Storage for Firebase. Other companies may host, secure, maintain, analyze, or support the Service on our behalf [identify any additional vendors after inventory]. Their handling of information is governed by applicable agreements and law.
- For safety and legal reasons: when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to respond to lawful requests, enforce our Terms, investigate fraud or abuse, or protect people and rights. We will assess legal requests as applicable law requires.
- In a business transaction: as part of a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, subject to applicable legal requirements and appropriate protections.
- At your direction or with your consent: when you ask us to share information or authorize an integration.
Sale, targeted advertising, and tracking: [Confirm whether GBI or any website/app SDK sells or “shares” personal information as defined by California law, uses cross-context behavioral advertising, or tracks users across other companies' apps and sites. State the accurate practice and provide required opt-out methods before publication.]
5. Account deletion and retention
You can delete your account in the app. When you do, your posts, messages, and uploaded images will be deleted from the Service and will no longer be visible to any user, including other conversation participants. [Confirm whether deletion is immediate or processed within a stated period, and whether users can also initiate deletion on a public webpage.] Copies made by someone outside the Service, such as screenshots or downloads, are outside our control.
We retain account and activity information while your account is active and for as long as needed for the purposes described here. [Specify retention periods or criteria for account records, logs, reports, support requests, backups, and any legal holds.] We may retain limited information after account deletion only when required or permitted for legal compliance, security, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, or similar purposes. Such retained information will not remain visible to other users and will be deleted when the reason for retaining it ends, subject to applicable law. [Verify that the technical deletion workflow and backups support these statements.]
6. Your choices and rights
You can [confirm profile editing controls], choose what you post and send, and delete your account in the app. You may [confirm whether individual posts or messages can be edited or deleted]. You can control device-level push notifications through your device settings; [confirm in-app controls]. If we send optional marketing email, you can unsubscribe using its link; service and safety notices may still be sent.
Depending on where you live and which laws apply to GBI, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information; obtain a copy; and opt out of certain uses or disclosures. You can submit requests to [privacy contact to be added]. We will verify requests as required and respond within applicable legal deadlines. Authorized agents may submit requests where the law allows. We will not discriminate against you for exercising an applicable privacy right. [Add state-specific disclosures and request methods after determining which state privacy laws apply to GBI and its actual data practices.]
7. Children and teens
The Service is available only to people aged 13 or older in the United States. We do not knowingly allow children under 13 to create accounts. If we learn that an account belongs to a child under 13, we will take steps to close it and delete the child's information as required by law. A parent or guardian who believes a child under 13 has provided information can contact [privacy contact to be added]. [Confirm age-screening method and any distinct settings, notices, or restrictions for users aged 13 through 17.]
8. Security
We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, and alteration. [Confirm specific commitments against implemented safeguards; avoid naming controls that are not deployed.] No system is completely secure. Please use a strong password, protect your account credentials, and contact [security contact to be added] if you suspect unauthorized access.
9. United States service
Connections Plus is intended only for users located in the United States. Firebase Authentication operates from US data centers. Cloud Firestore and Cloud Storage for Firebase use locations selected for the project, and Google may process some service data using its broader infrastructure. [Confirm the actual Firestore database and Storage bucket locations, applicable service terms, and any other services before making a promise about where all data stays.]
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as the Service changes. We will post the updated version with a new effective date and provide additional notice when a change materially affects how we handle information or when law requires it. If consent is required for a new practice, we will request it before applying that practice.
11. Contact us
Connections Plus is owned and operated by GBI Technologies, Inc., a California corporation.
Privacy questions and requests: [privacy email address to be added]
Mailing address: [business mailing address to be added]