Google Play Compliance Summary: TalkMate ("we", "our", or "us") respects your privacy. This policy details how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when using the TalkMate social and messaging application.
1. Information We Collect
To provide matching, messaging, and community features, we collect the following types of information when you register and interact with TalkMate:
Account & Profile Information: Full name / display name, email address, password, gender, date of birth / age, city/location, short bio, and selected interests.
Selfie & Avatar Images: Profile photos and selfie verification images uploaded via camera or gallery (`avatar` / `image` files).
Chat & Interaction Data: Real-time messages, text chat contents, audio/video call metadata, typing indicators, and presence status (`available` / `offline`).
Location Data: Device GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) and IP address geocoding used to determine city and country for location-based matching. Location permission is explicitly requested before collection.
Technical & Device Identifiers: Device model, operating system version, network status, unique device tokens for push notifications, and crash logs.
2. How We Use Your Information
We process your personal data strictly for the following purposes:
To create and manage your TalkMate user profile.
To verify identity and prevent fake or duplicate profiles through selfie verification.
To connect real-time text chats, voice calls, and video calls via encrypted WebSockets.
To recommend compatible conversations based on location, age, gender preferences, and shared interests.
To enforce our Community Guidelines, combat harassment, and protect user safety.
To provide customer support and respond to user inquiries.
3. Data Sharing & Third-Party Services
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share necessary data only in the following limited circumstances:
Infrastructure & Service Providers: Cloud servers, real-time Socket.IO communication servers, and media delivery networks that host our services.
Legal Compliance: If required by applicable laws, legal process, or government requests to protect the rights, property, and safety of our users.
4. Data Retention & Account Deletion Policy
In compliance with Google Play Developer Policies regarding User Data & Account Deletion, TalkMate provides clear, accessible mechanisms for users to request permanent deletion of their account and all associated personal data.
In-App Account Deletion Flow (Step-by-Step):
Open the TalkMate application on your Android device.
Navigate to the Settings tab from the bottom navigation bar.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings screen and tap Delete Account.
A confirmation safety dialog will display explaining the data that will be wiped.
Type DELETE in the text confirmation box and tap Confirm Delete.
Our backend executes the DELETE /users/profile endpoint, logs out your session, and permanently erases your account, profile, photos, chat records, and preferences from our active servers.
Types of Data Permanently Erased Upon Account Deletion:
Profile & Personal Data: Registered email address, display name, gender, date of birth, age, city/location, and bio.
Uploaded Media: All profile photos, avatar images, and selfie verification photos stored on server storage.
Communication Records: All chat message history, real-time interaction logs, and audio/video call records.
Preferences & Connections: Selected interests, talk preferences, and match lists.
Web / Email Account Deletion Request:
If you cannot access the TalkMate app, you may request manual account deletion by emailing our support team at support@karmadude.com with the subject line "Account Deletion Request - TalkMate" from your registered email address. Manual deletion requests are processed within 48 hours.
5. Age Requirement (18+)
TalkMate is strictly intended for individuals who are 18 years of age or older (or legal adulthood in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 18. If we become aware that a minor has created an account, the profile and associated data will be deleted immediately.
6. Security Measures
We employ robust, industry-standard security measures including SSL/TLS encryption for HTTPS data transfers, Secure WebSockets (WSS), and encrypted token authentication to protect your data against unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure.
7. Permissions Requested
TalkMate requests the following device permissions to enable app features:
Camera & Gallery: To capture selfie photos or upload profile avatar images.
Location (GPS): To fetch your current city and country for accurate profile location matching.
Microphone & Camera (Optional): To enable real-time audio and video calling features.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our app features or regulatory requirements. Any modifications will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date".
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:
TalkMate Privacy & Developer Team
Developer: KarmaDude IT Solutions
Email: support@karmadude.com
Application: TalkMate (com.karmadude.talktomate)