Privacy Policy for AquaReels
Effective date: 31 August 2026
Last updated: 31 August 2026
AquaReels ("App", "we", "us", or "our") is a fisheries short-video community app operated by Thoondil Ecosystem ("Company").
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, and the choices you have. By using AquaReels, you agree to this policy.
Contact: support.aquareels@thoondil-ecosystem.com
Developer: Thoondil Ecosystem
Android package: com.aquareels.com
1. Who this policy covers
This policy applies to anyone who downloads, visits, or uses AquaReels on Android (and related services such as our backend APIs).
AquaReels is intended for users 13 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, contact us and we will delete that account and related data.
2. Information we collect
2.1 Information you provide
- Account details: email address, password (stored in hashed form on our servers), username, full name, and optional bio.
- Google sign-in: if you sign in with Google, we receive your Google account identifier, email, name, and profile photo (as permitted by Google) to create or link your AquaReels account. We do not receive your Google password.
- Profile photo: images you choose as your avatar.
- User content: reels (short videos), posts (photos/videos), stories ("Storeys"), captions, hashtags, polls, comments, likes, saves, follows, mentions, and tagged users.
- Location you attach to content: place name and coordinates when you add a location to a post or reel, or use Nearby.
- Direct messages: message text, media you send in chats, delivery/read receipts, and typing indicators.
- Reports: when you report a reel or post (for example spam, copyright, or inappropriate content), we store the report, the content ID, and your account ID so we can review it.
- Support requests: information you send us by email.
Facebook sign-in may appear in the app as coming soon. We do not collect Facebook account data unless and until that feature is enabled, at which time this policy will be updated.
2.2 Information collected automatically
- Device and app data: device type, OS version, app version, language, and similar technical data needed to run the App.
- Authentication tokens: session tokens stored securely on your device so you stay signed in.
- Push notification token: a Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) device token so we can send notifications (likes, comments, follows, messages, and similar alerts), if you allow notifications.
- Usage inside the App: views, likes, comments, saves, shares, follows, search queries, and similar activity so we can operate feeds and features.
- Online presence: when you use messaging, we may show others whether you are active, in the background, or offline, and may show typing status in a chat.
- Preferences: settings such as reel brightness preference, stored on your device and/or our servers.
- Drafts: unfinished reel/post drafts may be stored locally on your device.
2.3 Location
We request approximate and precise location only while the App is in use (foreground), and only when you:
- open the Nearby feed, or
- attach a location to a post or reel (including "use current location" or searching for a place).
We do not track your location in the background. You can refuse location permission; Nearby and location tagging will not work, but the rest of the App will.
Place names may be resolved using OpenStreetMap Nominatim (a third-party geocoding service).
2.4 Media permissions
We request access only when you use the related feature:
- Camera: record photos/videos for reels, posts, stories, and profile photo
- Microphone: record audio with videos
- Photos / videos / storage: choose existing photos and videos from your device
- Notifications: send activity and message alerts
- Location: Nearby feed and tagging a place on content
We do not access your camera, microphone, or gallery unless you grant permission and use that feature.
2.5 AI content moderation
To keep AquaReels safe, our backend uses automated AI moderation provided by OpenAI. When you upload or update certain content, we may send that content (or excerpts of it) to OpenAI so it can be checked against our community guidelines before it is shown to other users.
This may include:
- reels and other videos (including frames, thumbnails, captions, and related text);
- posts (photos, videos, captions, hashtags, and polls);
- stories ("Storeys");
- profile photos;
- other text you submit that we need to review for safety (for example captions or reports).
Until moderation finishes, content may be visible only to you. Content that is not approved will not be shown publicly. Some cases may also be reviewed by our team.
3. How we use information
We use the information above to:
- create and manage your account and keep you signed in;
- show feeds (Home, Reels, Nearby, Search, Categories, profiles);
- process, compress, store, transcode, and moderate your uploads;
- enable comments, likes, saves, follows, mentions, tags, polls, and stories;
- provide direct messages, presence, typing indicators, and read receipts;
- send push notifications you have allowed;
- detect spam, abuse, copyright issues, and other violations, including through automated AI moderation (OpenAI) on our backend;
- improve reliability, security, and performance of the App;
- communicate with you about your account or the service;
- comply with law and enforce our terms.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your data to show third-party ads in the App at this time. If that changes, we will update this policy.
4. How we share information
4.1 Other users
Depending on privacy settings (for example public vs followers-only stories):
- your profile (username, name, photo, bio, follower counts);
- your public posts, reels, stories, comments, likes, and similar activity;
- location you attach to public content;
- messages and presence, only with people you chat with.
4.2 Service providers
We use trusted providers who process data on our behalf:
- Google — Google Sign-In and Firebase Cloud Messaging;
- OpenAI — AI content moderation;
- Cloud hosting / storage — to run our API and store media;
- OpenStreetMap Nominatim — to turn coordinates or search text into place names.
These providers process data under their own privacy policies and only as needed to provide their services.
4.3 Legal and safety
We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect users, the public, or AquaReels from fraud, abuse, or security threats.
5. Data retention
- Account and profile: kept while your account is active.
- Content you post: kept until you delete it, or until we remove it for moderation or legal reasons.
- Stories: kept for a limited time (typically 24 hours), unless saved as a highlight.
- Messages: kept until you delete them or your account is deleted, subject to backups and legal holds.
- Device tokens and sessions: kept while you use the App; removed when you log out or the token expires.
- Reports and safety logs: may be kept longer as needed for safety and legal compliance.
After account deletion, we delete or anonymize personal data within a reasonable period, except where we must retain it (for example legal obligations, dispute resolution, or security).
6. Your choices and rights
You can:
- edit your profile (name, bio, avatar) in the App;
- delete individual posts, reels, and messages you control;
- control story visibility (public or followers);
- turn off location, camera, microphone, photos, or notifications in Android Settings;
- log out, which removes the session token from the device;
- request deletion of your account and associated personal data by emailing support.aquareels@thoondil-ecosystem.com from the email on your account, with subject line "Delete my AquaReels account". We will process the request within 30 days (or sooner where required by law).
If you are in a region with additional privacy rights (for example access, correction, or portability), contact us at the same address. We may need to verify that the request comes from the account holder.
7. Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encrypted transport (HTTPS), hashed passwords, and secure on-device storage for session tokens.
No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please choose a strong password and do not share it.
8. International processing
Your information may be processed on servers in India or other countries where we or our providers operate. Those countries may have different data-protection laws than your own.
9. Third-party links and services
The App may link to third-party sites or use third-party services (Google, Firebase, OpenAI, OpenStreetMap). Their practices are governed by their own policies. We are not responsible for those services.
- Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Firebase / Google Cloud: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
- OpenAI Privacy Policy: https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy
- OpenStreetMap / Nominatim: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy
10. Children's privacy
AquaReels is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we will delete it.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top will change. Continued use of the App after an update means you accept the revised policy. Material changes will be notified in the App or via the Play Store listing where appropriate.
12. Contact us
Thoondil Ecosystem
Email: support.aquareels@thoondil-ecosystem.com
Address: Tamilnadu, India
If you have questions about this policy or how we handle your data, contact us at the email above.