Privacy Policy

Last updated:

1. Introduction

Welcome to Era. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Account information (name, email, profile picture)
• Content you post (messages, travel moments, photos)
• Location data (when you enable location services)
• Usage data (how you interact with the App)
• Profile view history (who viewed your profile and when)
• Friend connections (your friends list)

When you sign in with Google, we collect your email, name, and profile picture from your Google account, in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy.

If you use optional identity verification, we process a selfie image to compare it with your profile photo. The selfie is sent to our servers and to a face-matching service we use for verification. We do not use this data for facial recognition beyond one-time verification; verification request data may be retained for a limited time for admin review.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Enable location-based features and maps
• Facilitate communication between users
• Send you notifications and updates
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues
• Ensure the safety and security of our platform
• Provide AI-powered travel recommendations (using your location and preferences via Google Places–based services)
• Show you who viewed your profile and send push notifications (messages, activity updates)

4. Location Information

When you enable location services, we collect precise location data to provide map features, location sharing, and travel recommendations. You can control location sharing through your settings. We only share your location with other users when you explicitly enable location sharing.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With other users: Profile information and content you choose to share
• With service providers: Companies that help us operate the App, including Google (for authentication, maps, and Places), Firebase (for data storage and cloud functions), Expo (for push notifications), and a face-matching service we use for optional identity verification.
• For legal reasons: When required by law or to protect our rights
• With your consent: When you explicitly authorize sharing
• Reports and moderation: When you report another user, we store your report for moderation and safety. Admins may review this data to resolve reports and enforce our Terms.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access and update your personal information
• Control location sharing through settings
• Delete your account and associated data
• Opt-out of certain data collection (e.g. disable location or push notifications in device or app settings)
• Request a copy of your data or object to processing where applicable (e.g. under GDPR). Contact us to exercise these rights.

7.1 How to request deletion of your Era account and data

To request that your Era account and associated data are deleted, please follow these steps:

1. Open the Era app on your device.
2. Go to the Profile tab.
3. Tap Settings (gear icon).
4. Scroll down and tap Delete Account.
5. Confirm when prompted. Your account and linked data will then be deleted as described in section 8 below.

If you cannot access the app, you may contact us at era.globe.app@gmail.com with the email address linked to your Era account and we will process your deletion request.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your information, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes, safety (e.g. reports and moderation history), or to enforce our Terms.

Verification selfies and related request data may be kept for a limited time for admin review, after which they are removed.

9. Children's Privacy

Our App is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Push Notifications

We use push notification tokens (via Expo) to send you alerts for new messages, activity updates, and other in-app events. You can disable push notifications in your device or app settings at any time.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence (including the United States, where our service providers operate). These countries may have data protection laws that are different from those in your country. We take steps to protect your data in line with this policy and applicable law.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this 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.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: era.globe.app@gmail.com