Privacy Policies

Last Updated: July10, 2026

Welcome to the Need Help App. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal data when you use our mobile application and related services (the "Services"). By using the Need Help App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you directly provide to us, as well as information collected automatically when you use our app.

A. Personal Information You Provide

• Account Data: When you register, we collect your mobile phone number, email address, and name.

• Profile Data: We collect information you add to your profile, including your profile photo, which is securely uploaded and stored in our database.

• Marketplace Media: When you create a Marketplace Post, you may upload photos. These photos are stored securely and displayed publicly to other nearby users.

• Emergency Contacts: You may optionally provide the names and phone numbers of emergency contacts to be used with the Safety Timer feature.

• Communications & Chat Logs: Information you provide when contacting our support team, as well as the contents of in-app chat messages sent to other users via our secure messaging system.

• Community Ratings: Feedback, ratings, and reviews you leave for other users after a successful exchange.

B. Automatically Collected Information

• Precise Location Data: Due to the core peer-to-peer assistance nature of the app, we collect your precise real-time location (GPS coordinates) while the app is in the foreground. If you enable the Safety Timer or background broadcasting, we may collect your location data while the app is in the background.

• Device & Notification Data: We collect hardware model, operating system, unique device identifiers, and Push Notification Tokens (e.g., FCM/APNS) to ensure app functionality, security, and to deliver real-time alerts.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to operate, improve, and secure our Services, specifically to:

• Provide Core Services: To match your help requests with nearby users, and to display nearby community marketplace posts to you based on your search radius.

• Enable Safety Features: To trigger the Safety Timer and send automated alerts containing your live location and profile details to your designated emergency contacts if you fail to check in.

• Facilitate the Marketplace & Chat: To allow you to buy, sell, or trade items, and to route secure in-app messages between you and approved users.

• Account Security & Moderation: To authenticate your account via OTP, prevent fraud, and enforce safety by maintaining your list of "Blocked Users."

• Communication: To send you push notifications regarding active requests, messages from other users, or system updates.

3. How We Share Your Information

We prioritize your privacy and do not sell your personal data to third parties. We only share your information in the following circumstances:

• With Other Users (Public/Radius): When you create a help request or a marketplace post, your general location, profile photo, name, and any attached photos are shared with users within your broadcast radius.

• With Other Users (Explicit Approval): We employ a Secure Contact Request system. Your direct contact information (like your phone number) or your ability to chat is only shared with another user if you explicitly approve their contact request.

• With Emergency Contacts: If an emergency is triggered (e.g., via the Safety Timer), your live location, profile details, and the nature of the emergency will be transmitted to your saved emergency contacts.

• With Service Providers: We share necessary data with trusted third-party providers (like our database host, Supabase) strictly for the purpose of operating the app. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.

• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or a government agency).

4. Data Security & Storage

We implement robust, industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:

• Profile Photos & Data: Your profile photo and personal data are stored securely on our database servers.

• Encryption: Data transmitted between the app and our servers is encrypted using standard cryptographic protocols.

• Location Anonymity: We limit the retention of historical location data and strive to keep only the real-time data necessary for active requests.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access and Update: You can review and change your personal information, including your profile photo, at any time through the Profile Settings.

• Blocking & Moderation: You have the right to block any user at any time, which prevents them from seeing your requests or contacting you.

• Location Permissions: You can revoke the app's access to your location at any time through your device settings. However, doing so will prevent you from using the core proximity-based features of the app.

• Data Deletion: You can request the permanent deletion of your account and all associated personal data from within the app profile. Upon deletion, your profile photo, chat history, request history, and location data will be purged from our servers.

6. Children's Privacy

The Need Help App is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will immediately delete this from our servers.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy within the app and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at: Email: support@neednhelp.com