Welcome to Zella.
At Zella, operated by BLUEWEI TECH LIMITED ("we," "our," or "us"), we believe that true connection requires a foundation of trust. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you use the Zella mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Services").
This Privacy Policy forms an integral part of our Terms of Use. By accessing or using Zella, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the data practices described in this Policy.
To provide you with a seamless and safe social experience, we collect information across three main categories: data you provide to us directly, data collected automatically, and data we access via your device permissions.
Account Credentials: When you register or create an account, we collect details such as your email address (if you provide it), username, date of birth (for mandatory age verification), gender, and geographic region.
Age Verification Data (Selfies): To ensure a safe, adult-only community, we utilize Amazon Web Services (AWS) facial recognition technology for age estimation. You will be prompted to capture a live selfie, which is transmitted securely to AWS. This photo is used strictly for age verification purposes. Once the estimation process is complete, the photo is immediately and permanently deleted; it is not retained by Zella or AWS. For more information on how our service provider handles data, please review the AWS Privacy Notice.
Third-Party Login Data: If you choose to log in via third-party services (such as Apple, Google, or Facebook), we receive profile information permitted by that provider, typically including your display name, email address, and profile picture.
Profile & User-Generated Content (UGC): Any additional information you choose to share on your profile (e.g., bio, tags, photos) and the content of videos or messages you send to other users.
Support Inquiries: Information provided when you contact our customer support team, including your email address and the content of your communication.
Usage & Interaction Data: We monitor how you interact with Zella, including connection logs, features utilized, and matching history. This helps us optimize our algorithms and maintain platform integrity.
Device Information: We collect hardware models, operating system versions, unique device identifiers (e.g., IDFA), IP addresses, network types, and language settings. (Note: On iOS devices, access to the IDFA for tracking purposes is strictly subject to your explicit consent via the App Tracking Transparency prompt).
Cookies & Tracking Technologies: We utilize cookies and similar technologies to recognize your device, remember preferences, and analyze app performance. You may control these preferences through your device settings.
To enable Zella's core features, we may request access to specific device components. These permissions are entirely optional and require your explicit, in-app approval. You remain in control and can revoke them at any time via your device settings:
Camera: Strictly required for capturing your initial age-verification selfie, taking profile photos, and facilitating real-time video chats.
Microphone: Required for voice messaging and audio transmission during video chats.
Location (GPS): If opted-in, used to display nearby users and enable location-based friend recommendations. We do not track your background location when the app is closed.
Photo Library: Used to allow you to upload existing photos to your profile or share media in chats.
We process your data only when we have a valid legal basis to do so (e.g., performance of a contract, user consent, legitimate interests, or legal obligations). Our primary purposes include:
Delivering the Service: Operating Zella, creating your account, facilitating video connections, and enabling location-based matching (Legal basis: Performance of Contract; Consent).
Personalization: Tailoring the content, profiles, and recommendations displayed to you based on your preferences (Legal basis: Legitimate Interest).
Safety & Security: Verifying user age, moderating content via automated tools and human review to prevent fraud, enforce our community guidelines, identify abusive behavior, and protect users (Legal basis: Legitimate Interest; Legal Obligation).
Communication: Sending essential service updates, security alerts, and responding to support requests (Legal basis: Performance of Contract).
Marketing & Promotional Communications: Where permitted by law, we may use your email address to send you product updates, new feature announcements, offers, surveys, and recommendations. You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by using the "Unsubscribe" link in our messages or by contacting us at help@zella.chat. (Legal basis: Consent or Legitimate Interest, depending on your location and the type of message).
Legal Compliance: Fulfilling applicable laws, regulations, and valid law enforcement requests (Legal basis: Legal Obligation).
A Note on Peer-to-Peer Communication: Where technically feasible, direct video or audio chats are transmitted peer-to-peer. However, text messages and media may pass through our servers temporarily for delivery and automated safety moderation before being deleted or stored according to our retention policies.
If you receive marketing or promotional emails from us, you can opt out at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link included in those emails or by contacting us at help@zella.chat. Opting out will stop marketing messages, but it will not affect service-related communications that are necessary to operate your account (for example, account notices, security alerts, and updates to our terms or policies).
We do not sell your personal information. We share your data only under the following controlled circumstances:
With Other Users: Information you willingly publish on your public profile (e.g., username, bio, photos) is visible to the Zella community. Please exercise discretion when sharing sensitive information.
With Service Providers: We partner with trusted third-party vendors who assist with cloud hosting, data analytics, content moderation, age estimation (e.g., AWS), and customer support. These partners are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and process data solely on our behalf.
For Legal & Safety Reasons: We may disclose your information if we believe it is reasonably necessary to: (a) comply with valid legal processes or government requests; (b) enforce our Terms of Use; (c) address fraud or security issues; or (d) protect the rights, property, or safety of Zella, our users, or the public.
Corporate Transactions: In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or asset sale, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified of any material change in ownership or data control.
As a global platform, your personal information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries outside of your residence, including the United States and other regions where we or our service providers operate. We ensure that appropriate legal safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) are implemented to protect your data during international transfers, in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
You may request the permanent deletion of your account and associated personal data at any time by:
Using the "Delete Account" option located within the Zella app settings.
Sending a formal deletion request to help@zella.chat.
Upon verifying your request, we will delete your account profile, credentials, and uploaded media within the timeframe mandated by applicable law (typically within 30 days).
Please note:
Messages or content you have previously sent to other users may remain visible on their devices.
We may securely retain limited data (such as device identifiers) for an extended period if necessary for legal compliance, dispute resolution, or to prevent banned users from circumventing safety suspensions.
If you opt out of marketing emails, we may retain a record of your opt-out preference (for example, on a suppression list) to help ensure we honor your request.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may possess specific rights regarding your personal data.
Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK have the right to:
Access the personal data we hold about you.
Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erase your personal data (the "right to be forgotten").
Restrict or Object to certain processing activities.
Data Portability (receive a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format).
Withdraw Consent at any time where processing is based on your consent.
To exercise these rights, please contact help@zella.chat. You also retain the right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority.
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended), California residents have the right to:
Know the categories of personal information we collect and how it is used.
Request deletion of personal information.
Opt-out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information (Note: Zella does not sell your personal information).
Limit the use of sensitive personal information.
Non-discrimination for exercising these privacy rights.
Zella is strictly an adult-only platform. You must be at least 18 years of age to use the Service.
We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal data from anyone under the age of 18. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a minor, we will take immediate steps to permanently delete that data and terminate the associated account. If you believe we might possess information from or about a minor, please contact us immediately.
We implement robust administrative, technical, and physical security measures—including data encryption and secure server infrastructure—designed to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system is entirely secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect shifts in our practices or legal obligations. If we make material changes, we will notify you via a prominent in-app notice or by email prior to the changes taking effect. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy.
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, we are here to assist you. Please reach out to our Privacy Team at:
Email: help@zella.chat