Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
Along (“Along”, “we”, “us”) operates a mobile app and related services that help adults make platonic friendships through shared, real-world activities. Our website is getalong.fun and our API is served at api.getalong.fun.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why we use it, who we share it with, and what choices you have. It applies to the Along iOS app, our website, and our backend services.
2. Scope
This policy covers personal data we process when you:
- Visit our marketing website
- Browse plans as a guest or signed-in user in the app
- Create an account, build a profile, post or join plans, chat, or meet in person through Along
- Contact us for support
It does not apply to third-party services you may use through links or integrations (for example Apple’s App Store, Apple Maps, Google Places, or your device’s mail client). Those services have their own privacy policies.
3. Data we collect
| Category | Examples | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Email address, password hash, email verification status, Sign in with Apple identifier (if used) | You |
| Profile | First name, gender, birthdate, photo, optional bio and pronouns, home city, active (browsing) city | You |
| Activity | Plans you create or join, applications, chat messages, meetup confirmations, ratings, bookmarks | You / automated |
| Location | City selection, one-shot GPS checks when you grant permission, venue coordinates on plans, region waitlist email when outside our service area | You / device |
| Device & app | Device identifier (IDFV), device model, OS version, app version, locale, timezone, push notification tokens | Device |
| Safety | Reports, blocks, moderation records | You / us |
| Technical | IP address at signup and login, server logs, product analytics events, optional crash diagnostics | Automatic |
We do not intentionally collect special categories of sensitive data (such as health, religion, or sexual orientation). Please avoid including that information in free-text fields such as bios, plan descriptions, or chat messages.
We show other users your first name, profile photo (or initials), and profile fields described in the app. We do not show your email address, exact birthdate, or last name to other users in normal product use.
4. How we use data
We use personal data to:
- Provide the service — accounts, discovery, plans, applications, chat, notifications, and ratings
- Keep users safe — reports, blocks, abuse review, and enforcement of our Terms
- Send transactional email — verification codes, welcome messages, password resets, and plan-related notices where applicable
- Improve reliability — analytics, debugging, crash reporting, and fraud prevention
- Comply with law — respond to valid legal requests and protect our rights and users
Where applicable law requires a legal basis (for example GDPR in the EU/EEA or UK), we rely on: performance of our contract with you to provide the app; legitimate interests such as safety, security, and product improvement; consent where required (for example certain notifications or optional permissions); and legal obligation where we must retain or disclose data.
5. Analytics, device identifiers, and crash reporting
- Device ID: the app sends a vendor-scoped device identifier (Apple IDFV) with auth and analytics calls so we can understand product usage and link anonymous pre-signup activity to your account after registration.
- Product events: we record events such as screen views, auth steps, plan actions, and location-check outcomes (country and in-service-area flag — not raw GPS coordinates in analytics events).
- Anonymous sessions: before you create an account, we may store limited device and usage data in an anonymous session row. That row is deleted or migrated when you register on the same device.
- Crash reporting: if enabled in the app build, we may use Sentry to collect crash and certain API error diagnostics. After sign-in, crash reports may be associated with your user ID.
- Retention: raw product events are kept for up to 24 months, after which we delete or aggregate them.
6. Location data
Location is used only when you grant permission and only for product features that need it — for example suggesting a city switch when you are in the UAE, checking whether you are outside our service area, or attaching venue coordinates to a plan you host. You can control location access in iOS Settings at any time.
7. Who we share data with
We do not sell your personal data. We share data only as needed to run Along:
| Recipient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hosting provider (OVH) | Servers, database, and infrastructure in the EU |
| Email provider (Mailjet) | Transactional email delivery |
| Cloud storage (Cloudflare R2) | Profile and upload images |
| Maps / places providers (Apple Maps, Google Places when configured) | Venue search and map previews |
| Apple | Sign in with Apple, push notifications (APNs), and App Store distribution |
| Sentry (if enabled) | Crash and error diagnostics |
We may also disclose information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, safety, and integrity of Along, our users, or the public.
8. International transfers
Along is focused on users in the United Arab Emirates. Your data may be processed in the UAE, the European Union (where our hosting provider operates), and other countries where our subprocessors operate. Where required by law, we use appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.
9. Retention
- Active account: we retain data while your account is active and as needed to provide the service.
- Messages and plans: retained until deleted, archived, or your account is closed, subject to safety and legal holds.
- Reports and safety records: retained as long as needed for moderation, dispute resolution, and legal compliance.
- Server logs: retained for a limited period for security and troubleshooting.
- Deleted accounts: when you delete your account in the app, we delete or anonymize personal data within a reasonable period, except where we must retain data by law or for legitimate safety purposes.
10. Your rights and choices
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate data
- Delete your data
- Export your data in a portable format
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
In the app: go to Profile → Safety & privacy to export your data or delete your account.
By email: contact hello@getalong.fun from your registered email address. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request.
11. Push notifications
You can enable or disable push notifications in the app (Settings → Notifications) and in iOS Settings. We store device tokens only to deliver notifications you expect, such as messages, application updates, and plan reminders.
12. Cookies and website tracking
Our marketing website at getalong.fun does not use advertising cookies or third-party marketing trackers. The iOS app does not use browser cookies. Standard server logs may record IP address, user agent, and requested URL for security and reliability.
13. Children
Along is for users aged 18 and over only. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has created an account, contact us and we will delete the account and associated data.
14. Security
We use industry-standard measures including TLS encryption in transit, bcrypt password hashing, parameterized database queries, access controls, rate limiting, and least-privilege admin access. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. If you believe your account or data has been compromised, contact us immediately at hello@getalong.fun.
15. Automated decisions
Along does not make solely automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects on you. Matching and participation are user-driven: you browse plans, apply or host, and hosts choose who joins.
16. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy on this page and update the “Last updated” date. If changes are material, we may also notify you in the app or by email.
17. Contact
Questions about privacy or this policy:
hello@getalong.fun
This policy is provided for transparency about how Along works today. It is not legal advice. We recommend qualified counsel review for UAE PDPL, GDPR, and App Store compliance before major launches.