Privacy Policy for SettleEffective Date: 20-July-20261. IntroductionWelcome to Settle. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (the "App"). Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the application.2. Information We CollectWe collect information about you in a variety of ways when you use the App. To provide a transparent and secure experience, we limit the data we collect to exactly what is needed for the App to function. The information we may collect includes:A. Personal DataWhen you register for an account or use the App, we collect identifiable information, which may include:
  • Account Information: Your name, email address, and password (securely handled via Firebase Authentication).
  • Images & Media (Camera & Photos): Photos or images you voluntarily choose to upload from your camera or photo library. This data is strictly used for profile avatars, group icons, expense receipts, or images shared within group chats.
  • Financial & Group Data: Information regarding expenses, group names, balances, and chat messages shared within your groups.
B. Device & Usage DataWhen you access the App, we may automatically collect certain information, including:
  • Device Information: Your mobile device ID, model, manufacturer, operating system, and version to ensure app stability.
  • Push Notification Tokens: To send you updates and alerts regarding group expenses or settlements.
C. Third-Party Integrations
  • Google Account Data: If you choose to log in using Google Sign-In, we will receive your basic profile information (name, email, profile picture) associated with that account.
3. App Permissions & Prominent DisclosureTo function properly and provide all features, Settle requires specific device permissions. We only request permissions when they are strictly necessary for a feature you are using.
  • Camera & Photo Library: Settle requests access to your device's Camera and Photo Library. We only collect images and photos that you explicitly choose to capture or upload. This data is used solely to enable you to set profile pictures, upload expense receipts, create group icons, and share attachments in chat. We do not access your camera in the background, and we do not scan your photo library. You can deny this permission in your device settings at any time, though image upload features will be disabled.
  • Internet & Network State: To sync your expenses and group data with our secure cloud servers.
  • Notifications: To alert you when expenses are added or settlements are requested.
4. How We Use Your InformationWe use the information we collect to:
  • Create and manage your user account.
  • Process calculations for shared expenses and settlements accurately.
  • Facilitate communication via group chat features.
  • Store and display the images/photos you choose to upload on our secure servers.
  • Send you push notifications regarding account activity.
  • Serve targeted advertisements through Google AdMob.
  • Improve the overall user experience and fix bugs.
5. Third-Party Services & AnalyticsWe do not sell your personal data. We may share your information with third-party service providers that perform services for us. These include:
  • Google Firebase (Firestore, Storage, Authentication): Used for secure database hosting, storing your uploaded images/photos, and handling user login.
  • Google AdMob: Used to serve advertisements within the app. AdMob may collect device identifiers and usage data to provide personalized ads. For more information, please review the Google Privacy Policy.
  • UPI & Payment Apps: When you choose to settle a balance, the App may redirect you to third-party payment applications installed on your device (e.g., Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, WhatsApp). We do not collect, store, or process your bank account details, UPI PINs, or direct payment data.
6. Data SecurityWe use industry-standard security measures, leveraging Google Firebase's secure infrastructure, to help protect your personal information and uploaded media. All data transferred between your device and our servers is encrypted in transit. However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet or data storage system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.7. Data Retention and DeletionWe keep your personal information for as long as your account is active.
  • Account & Data Deletion: You have the right to request the complete deletion of your account and all associated personal data (including all uploaded images, chat messages, and expense history).
  • How to request deletion: You can delete your account and data directly at any time by navigating to the Settings menu within the App and selecting Delete Account. Alternatively, you can contact us at settlemoney992@gmail.com to request manual data deletion. Upon deletion, your personal data will be permanently and irrecoverably removed from our active servers.
8. Children's PrivacyThe App is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately.9. Changes to This Privacy PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy and, if necessary, via an in-app notification.10. Contact UsIf you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
  • Email: settlemoney992@gmail.com 
  • Developer: Settle