Privacy Policy for TandeMate
Last Updated: March 30, 2026
At TandeMate, we are dedicated to safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal data when you use our mobile application and associated services.
1. Data Collection & Usage
- Coarse Location Data:
TandeMate requests access to your device's coarse GPS location to connect you with language partners in your immediate vicinity.
- Visibility: Your location is used to calculate distance. Other users see an approximate distance (e.g., "0.5km away")
- No Background Tracking: Location data is accessed only while the app is in use (Foreground).
- Storage: Data is stored securely via Google Firebase.
- Account & Profile Information: We collect your name, email address, phone (optional) and language learning goals to facilitate your discovery profile.
- Safety & Moderation Data: To comply with safety regulations, we collect and store user reports and block lists. This data is used solely to moderate the community and prevent harassment.
- Technical Analytics: We use Google Crashlytics to monitor app performance. This includes device type and OS version but excludes personal identifiers or private communications.
2. Community Safety & Moderation (UGC)
In accordance with 2026 App Store and Google Play safety mandates, TandeMate enforces a Zero-Tolerance Policy for objectionable content or abusive behavior.
- Blocking: Users may block any individual at any time. Blocking is mutual and permanent unless manually revoked.
- Reporting: A clear mechanism is provided to report any profile violating our standards. Reports are reviewed by human moderators within 24 hours.
- Enforcement: Verified violations result in immediate content removal and permanent account termination.
3. Third-Party Data Processors
We share limited data with the following essential service providers:
- Google Maps SDK: Facilitates mapping and distance services. Privacy Policy.
- Google Firebase: Provides secure cloud infrastructure and encrypted database storage. Privacy Details.
- Google Crashlytics: Monitors app stability and technical health.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
Processing is conducted under the following legal frameworks:
- Consent: Explicit permission granted by you via system-level location and notification prompts.
- Contractual Necessity: Data processing is required to deliver the core "nearby discovery" functionality of the service.
5. Data Retention & Deletion
We retain your information only as long as your account remains active.
You have the right to be forgotten:
- In-App Deletion: You may trigger full account deletion via the App Settings.
- Timeline: Upon deletion, all personal records, location history, and profile data are permanently purged from our production databases within 72 hours.
- Manual Requests: Users may also request data deletion by contacting us at the email below.
6. Security Measures
We employ industry-standard encryption and Firebase security protocols to protect your data during transit and at rest. While we strive for absolute security, no method of electronic transmission is 100% secure.
7. Contact Information
For inquiries regarding this policy or your data rights, please contact: