Privacy Policy for YouSolve
Last Updated: March 3, 2025
1. Introduction
Welcome to YouSolve, an AI-powered chat application developed by Youssef Soufiane, operating under the developer name ussef-37 ("we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your information when you use our mobile application ("App"). By downloading, installing, or using YouSolve, you agree to the terms and practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information to provide and improve YouSolve’s services:
2.1 Personal Information
Email Address: Collected during account creation via email/password authentication or Google Sign-In.
Authentication Tokens: Google ID tokens collected when you sign in using Google accounts.
Username: A user-defined or auto-generated identifier (e.g., "User" + a portion of your user ID) for your profile.
Profile Image: Optional image uploaded by you to personalize your profile.
2.2 Chat Data
Chat Messages: All text you input and responses generated by our AI, stored as part of your chat history.
Chat Session Identifiers: Unique IDs assigned to each chat session for tracking and retrieval.
2.3 User Statistics
Game Data: In-app statistics such as your level, experience points (XP), contributions (e.g., messages sent), and achievements, used for gamification and leaderboard features.
2.4 Device and Usage Data
Image Access: Access to your device’s media library when you choose to upload a profile image.
Temporary Cache Data: Locally cached chat messages, user stats, and leaderboard data to enhance App performance.
2.5 Non-Personal Information
3. How We Collect Your Information
3.1 Direct Collection
Account Creation: Email, username, and authentication tokens are collected when you sign up or log in to YouSolve.
Profile Setup: Username and profile image are collected when you configure your profile.
App Usage: Chat messages, session IDs, and user stats are collected as you interact with YouSolve.
3.2 Device Permissions
3.3 Automated Collection
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
4.1 To Provide and Maintain Services
Authenticate your identity and manage your YouSolve account.
Facilitate real-time chat functionality by sending your messages to an AI server and displaying responses.
Display your username, profile image, and stats on the leaderboard.
Enable the Problems feature by sending selected problem details to the chat.
4.2 To Personalize Your Experience
4.3 To Improve the App
4.4 Legal Compliance
5. How We Store and Secure Your Information
5.1 Storage Locations
Firebase Services:
Authentication: Email and authentication tokens are stored in Firebase Authentication.
Database: Username, profile image URL, chat history, session IDs, and user stats are stored in Firebase Realtime Database.
Storage: Profile images are stored in Firebase Cloud Storage.
Device Storage: Temporary cache data (chat messages, stats, leaderboard) is stored locally in memory with a 5-minute expiration.
External AI Server: Chat messages are transmitted to an external AI server via Socket.IO for processing but are not stored there beyond processing.
5.2 Security Measures
Encryption: Data transmitted to Firebase and the AI server is encrypted using SSL/TLS. Firebase data is encrypted at rest.
Access Controls: Only you can access your email and chat history. Public data (username, profile image, stats) is visible to all YouSolve users via the leaderboard.
Cache Security: Local cache data is temporary and cleared after 5 minutes or when the App closes.
6. Disclosure of Your Information
6.1 Public Disclosure
6.2 Third-Party Disclosure
Firebase (Google LLC): We use Firebase services for authentication, database, and storage, which process your data per their Privacy Policy.
External AI Server: Chat messages are sent to an external AI server via Socket.IO for AI response generation. This server does not retain your data beyond processing.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
6.3 No Sale of Data
7. Data Retention
7.1 Retention Period
Account Data: Personal information and user stats are retained as long as your YouSolve account remains active or as needed to provide services.
Chat Data: Chat history and session IDs are stored until manually deleted by you or if your account is terminated.
7.2 Deletion Practices
Manual Deletion: You can delete individual chat sessions within YouSolve.
Future Automation: We may implement automatic deletion of old chat history if storage limits are exceeded, ensuring no impact on core functionality.
8. Your Rights
8.1 Access and Control
View and Edit: Access and update your username and profile image via the Profile screen in YouSolve.
Delete Chat Data: Remove chat sessions directly in the App.
Account Deletion: To delete your YouSolve account and all associated data, contact us at the email below.
8.2 Data Portability
8.3 Opt-Out
9. Consent
9.1 Initial Consent
9.2 Ongoing Consent
10. Third-Party Services
Firebase (Google LLC): Provides authentication, database, and storage services (see Firebase Privacy Policy).
Socket.IO: Facilitates real-time chat with an external AI server; no persistent data storage occurs on this server.
Google Sign-In: Used for authentication; governed by Google’s Privacy Policy.
Coil: Loads profile images; does not collect user data beyond image URLs.
11. Children’s Privacy
YouSolve is not intended for users under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn such data has been collected, we will delete it promptly. Contact us if you believe a child under 13 has provided us with information.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When updates occur:
A pop-up will notify you upon opening YouSolve, requiring you to review and accept the new policy.
The "Last Updated" date will be revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Address: [Optional: Add your physical address if applicable]
14. Additional Information
Governing Law: This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of [Insert Your Country/State, e.g., Morocco], without regard to conflict of law principles.
Your California Privacy Rights: If you are a California resident, you may request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing (we do not engage in this practice).
Verification Against Your App
This Privacy Policy fully covers all aspects of YouSolve as identified in the previous analysis:
Data Collection: Email, Google ID tokens, username, profile image, chat messages, session IDs, user stats, image access, cache data, and problem data (Sections 2.1–2.5).
Usage: Authentication, chat, leaderboard, personalization, troubleshooting (Section 4).
Storage/Security: Firebase, local cache, Socket.IO with encryption and access controls (Section 5).
Disclosure: Public leaderboard, Firebase, AI server, legal compliance; no sales (Section 6).
Retention/Rights: Clear retention, manual deletion, account deletion process (Sections 7, 8).
Consent/Updates: Pop-up mechanism for initial and ongoing consent (Sections 9, 12).
Third Parties: Firebase, Socket.IO, Google Sign-In, Coil (Section 10).
Extras: Children’s privacy, contact, legal notes (Sections 11, 13, 14).
Integrate into App:
Add this text to res/values/strings.xml as privacy_policy_text.
Use the PrivacyPolicyDialog (previously provided) in MainContent to display it, with SharedPreferences tracking consent and version (e.g., "policy_version" = 1).
Legal Review:
Replace "[Insert Your Country/State]" in Section 14 with your jurisdiction (e.g., Morocco if you’re based there).
Consult a lawyer to ensure compliance with local laws (e.g., Morocco’s Law No. 09-08 if applicable) and app store requirements (e.g., Google Play).
Optional Enhancements:
Add a "Privacy Policy" link in SettingsScreen to view this text anytime.
Host it online (e.g., GitHub Pages) and link to it in the Play Store listing.