diff --git a/PRIVACY_POLICY.md b/PRIVACY_POLICY.md index af2349c6..a90dd78d 100644 --- a/PRIVACY_POLICY.md +++ b/PRIVACY_POLICY.md @@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ bitchat is designed with privacy as its foundation. We believe private communica ## Summary +**WE DO NOT COLLECT ANY INFORMATION.** + - **No personal data collection** - We don't collect names, emails, or phone numbers +- **No location data collection** - Location is accessed only for local processing (BLE/Geohash) and is never collected or sent to us - **Hybrid Functionality** - bitchat offers two modes of communication: - **Bluetooth Mesh Chat**: This mode is completely offline, using peer-to-peer Bluetooth connections. It does not use any servers or internet connection. - **Geohash Chat**: This mode uses an internet connection to communicate with others in a specific geographic area. It relies on Nostr relays for message transport. @@ -68,7 +71,8 @@ When you join a password-protected room: bitchat **never**: - Collects personal information -- Tracks your location +- Collects location history +- Transmits any data to us (the developers) - Stores data on servers - Shares data with third parties - Uses analytics or telemetry @@ -91,13 +95,24 @@ You have complete control: - **No Account**: Nothing to delete from servers because there are none - **Portability**: Your data never leaves your device unless you export it -## Bluetooth & Permissions +## Location Data & Permissions -bitchat requires Bluetooth permission to function: -- Used only for peer-to-peer communication -- No location data is accessed or stored -- Bluetooth is not used for tracking -- You can revoke this permission at any time in system settings +To provide the core functionality of bitchat, we access your device's location data. This access is necessary for the following specific purposes: + +### 1. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Scanning +- **Why we need it:** The Android operating system requires Location permission to scan for nearby Bluetooth LE devices (especially on Android 11 and lower). This is a system-level requirement because Bluetooth scans can theoretically be used to derive location. +- **How we use it:** We use this permission strictly to discover other bitchat peers nearby for the "Bluetooth Mesh Chat" mode. +- **Privacy protection:** We do not record or store your location during this process. The data is processed instantaneously by the Android system to facilitate the connection. + +### 2. Geohash Chat Functionality +- **Why we need it:** The "Geohash Chat" mode allows you to communicate with others in your approximate geographic area. +- **How we use it:** If you enable this mode, we access your location to calculate a "geohash" (a short alphanumeric string representing a geographic region). This geohash is used to find and subscribe to relevant channels on decentralized Nostr relays. +- **Privacy protection:** + - Your precise GPS coordinates are **never** sent to any server or peer. + - Only the coarse geohash (representing an area, not a pinpoint) is shared with the Nostr network. + - You can use the "Bluetooth Mesh Chat" mode without this feature if you prefer. + +**We do not collect, store, or share your location history.** Location data is processed locally on your device to enable these specific features. ## Children's Privacy