Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 1, 2025

Ground Rounds ("we," "our," or "us") values your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use the Ground Rounds app and website.

1. Information We Collect

• Account Information: email, display name, and profile photo.
• User Content: reviews, ratings, recipes, photos, event RSVPs, shop submissions, and dog hub posts.
• Device & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, OS version, app version, log data.
• Location Data: if you grant permission, used for maps, check-ins, and events.
• Camera/Photos: with your consent, for QR code scanning and uploads.
• Analytics Events: custom analytics (friend actions, review interactions, AI summaries) logged through our secure servers.
• Crash Reports: with your opt-in, Firebase Crashlytics collects anonymous crash data (error messages, device type, OS version, app state). Personal content (reviews, photos, check-ins) is never included.

2. How We Use Information

• To provide, improve, and personalize app features.
• To support community functions such as friends, badges, and events.
• To generate AI-powered review summaries using Google Gemini/Vertex AI.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse.

3. Sharing of Information

• With other users: when you post reviews, photos, or other public content.
• With service providers: Firebase, Google APIs (maps, authentication), and Vertex AI (summaries).
• For legal reasons: if required by law or to prevent harm.
• We never sell your personal data.

4. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access and receive a copy of your data.
• Request correction or deletion of your data.
• Withdraw consent to analytics or crash reporting.
• Opt out of certain data sharing (California: "Do Not Sell My Data").

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.

5. Data Retention

We keep your account and content until you delete them. Crash logs are retained up to 90 days. Analytics logs are retained for operational use only.

6. Children's Privacy

Ground Rounds is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided data, please contact us to remove it.

7. Security

We use industry-standard security measures, including Firebase security rules and encryption in transit and at rest. However, no system is 100% secure.

8. Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted at this URL with a revised effective date.

9. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a privacy request, contact us at: privacy@groundrounds.app