The Hikee Team operates the Hikee Messenger mobile application and the website https://hikee-social-india.blogspot.com. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a secure experience when using our App.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use Hikee Messenger. It is designed to comply with global privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not download, install, or use the App.

1. Information We Collect

To provide our core chat, explore, and navigation features, we collect various types of information from and about you.

A. Personal Data You Provide

• Account Credentials: When you sign up using Google Sign-In, we collect your name, email address, profile photo URL, and a unique authentication identifier.

• Profile Details: Any custom information you add to your user profile, such as a custom bio, status, or avatar image.

• Communication Content: Your chat messages, media attachments (images, videos, voice notes, stickers), reactions, and metadata necessary to transmit your communications.

B. Device Permissions & Hardware Data

To deliver premium features, we request permission to access certain device features. These permissions are requested at the time they are first needed and can be managed through your device's settings:

• Precise and Coarse Location: We request access to your device's location (using the device's GPS and network signals) to enable explore features, map-based sharing, and locate nearby hiking or social activities. Location tracking only operates while the App is open or when explicitly permitted.

• Contacts (Address Book): We request access to your device's contacts list. This is used solely to match you with other Hikee Messenger users. We do not store your contacts list on our servers permanently; the data is transmitted securely to check for matches and is then discarded.

• Camera and Photo Library: We request access to your camera and gallery to allow you to capture, select, and send photos, videos, and custom attachments in chats, as well as to update your profile avatar.

• Device Information: We collect technical details about your mobile device using device identifiers, including device model, operating system version, build number, unique device identifiers, and network information.

C. Automatically Collected Usage and Diagnostic Data

• Crash Reports & Performance Metrics: We collect system crash reports and performance data to maintain the stability of Hikee Messenger.

• Activity Logs: General logs of how you interact with the App (e.g., features used, duration of activity, connection status).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Core Services: To manage your account, deliver chat messages and reactions, render attachments, and operate navigation and trail-matching features.

• Push Notifications: To alert you of incoming messages, mentions, and updates using cloud messaging.

• Billing & Subscriptions: To process and verify your Hikee Premium subscriptions (such as 15-day and monthly auto-renewing subscriptions) and manage trial periods.

• App Improvements & Security: To diagnose application errors, fix bugs, optimize performance, and prevent fraudulent activity or violations of our Terms of Service.

• Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries, resolve technical issues, and provide help.

3. Third-Party SDKs and Data Processors

Hikee Messenger integrates third-party Software Development Kits (SDKs) and service providers to support app operations. These providers have access to your information only to perform specific tasks on our behalf:

Service / SDK

Purpose

Data Handled

Provider Policy Link

Stream Chat (GetStream.io)

Message transmission, channels, and chat infrastructure

Chat content, user IDs, media attachments, and online status

Stream Privacy Policy

Google Play Billing

processing of In-App Purchases (IAP) & premium subscriptions

Purchase tokens, subscription IDs, billing status (no credit card details)

Google Privacy Policy

Google Sign-In

User authentication & single sign-on

Name, email address, profile picture, and Google User ID

Google Privacy Policy

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)

Delivering instant push notifications

Unique device tokens, notification payloads

Firebase Privacy Policy

Sentry

Real-time crash reporting and diagnostic tracking

Device characteristics, stack traces, and session state at the time of a crash

Sentry Privacy Policy

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may disclose your information under the following limited circumstances:

• Consent: When you explicitly direct us to share your data.

• Legal Compliance: If required by law, court order, subpoena, or a government request.

• Safety and Rights Protection: To protect the rights, property, and safety of Hikee, its users, and the public, or to enforce our agreements.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. All data in transit is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL/TLS) technology, and sensitive data stored locally on your device uses secure keychains and MMKV encrypted stores.

Despite our efforts, no transmission of data over the internet or wireless network is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Account & Data Deletion Policy

In compliance with Google Play Policies and international data regulations:

• Right to Delete: You have the absolute right to delete your Hikee Messenger account and all associated personal data at any time.

• How to Delete: You can delete your account directly inside the App by going to Settings > Account > Delete Account. Alternatively, you can submit a deletion request online by emailing us at hikee.support@gmail.com.

• Result of Deletion: Upon account deletion, we will purge your user profile, Google authentication associations, and messages from our active databases within thirty (30) days, except where we are legally required to retain certain records.

7. Children's Privacy

Hikee Messenger is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on computers located outside of your state, province, or country, where privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. By using the App, you consent to this transfer.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

• By Email: hikee.support@gmail.com

• By Visit Website: https://hikee-social-india.blogspot.com