YaluOwe Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to YaluOwe. Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our Group Expense Management System (GEMS) mobile app. By using our app, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

2. Data We Collect

We may collect information about you in a variety of ways, including:

Information You Provide to Us

• Photos: We access device photo gallery to pick the users profile picture and other bill photos upload operations.
• Registration Information: When you create an account with YaluOwe, we collect essential information such as your name, email address, phone number, and password. Your email address is required for account verification, enabling data retrieval across devices and facilitating account-related communication.
• User-generated Content: We collect information created while using our service, including:
• Expense Information: Includes the name, type, currency, amount, group, and any related attachments.
• Payment Settlements: Select payment type (partial or full) and specify amount if partial.
• Group Management: Images and descriptions you provide for groups.
• Reminders: Set reminders for group expenses to notify members of due dates or payment deadlines.
• Device Information: When you use YaluOwe, we collect device identifiers, operating system version, and app version. IP addresses help us track app access for performance improvements and regulatory compliance. And we use firebase FCM token from the device for account personalization and send the notifications including rides and promotions.
• Financial Information: We collect data related to shared group expenses and payment records within the app, including amounts contributed, expense distribution, payment statuses, and transaction records.

3. How We Use Your Data

WE WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANY THIRD PARTY EXCEPT AS OUTLINED IN THIS POLICY OR WITH YOUR CONSENT. We use the information for the following purposes:

• Provide and Maintain the App’s Features: Manage user accounts, enable group creation and management, and support tracking and updating of expenses within groups.
• To Allow Other Users to Find You: Friends can locate you by searching for your unique username. Only information you've chosen to share will be visible, and you can manage privacy preferences on your user preference page.
• Facilitate Transactions and Reconcile Shared Expenses: Track payments, outstanding balances, and facilitate viewing and settling of group payables and receivables.
• Send Notifications and Updates: Notify users about group activities like added expenses, reminders, and status updates. Important financial events like payment deadlines are communicated via push notifications.
• Enhance App Functionality: Users can customize privacy settings (e.g., hiding contact details), adjust notification preferences, and set time zones for scheduling accuracy. The app’s language defaults to English.
• With Third-Party Services: YaluOwe integrates with trusted third-party providers for email and SMS. Data is treated with the same privacy restrictions and may be used to address security or support issues.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share your data with:

• Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors for sending OTPs, push notifications, or managing data storage.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations or protect our rights if required by law.
• Group Members: Within your groups, information such as your username, expenses, and transactions may be shared to facilitate group financial management.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your data using encryption during data transmission and secure storage methods. We retain your data only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. However, please note that while we strive to protect your data, no data transmission over the internet or other public networks can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.

6. Your Rights

• Accessing or Correcting Your Personal Information: You have the right to access, review, and update your personal information through your Account Settings page.
• Deleting Your Account: You can delete your account after settling any outstanding group payments. Once deleted, this action is irreversible, and all associated data will be permanently removed from our systems.
• Customizing Privacy Settings: You can adjust privacy settings to control visibility of your contact number and other details to other group members.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page, and significant updates will be communicated through the app. The date last revised appears at the top of this Privacy Policy.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at support@yaluowe.com.