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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025 | Version 1.1

Are You SOS? ("we," "our," or "the App") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information when you use our mobile application.

Are You SOS? is a personal accountability app with three modes: Sober (sobriety accountability), Okay (mental health check-ins), and Safe (personal safety monitoring). This policy applies to all modes of the app.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Name: Used to personalize the app and identify you to your trusted contacts
• Email Address: Used for account authentication, password reset, and important service notifications
• Phone Number (optional): May be used for account recovery
• Password: Stored securely using industry-standard encryption (bcrypt)
• Selected Mode: Your chosen check-in mode (Sober, Okay, or Safe)

Trusted Contact Information

When you add trusted contacts, we collect:

• Contact Name: Used to identify the contact in your app
• Contact Phone Number: Used to send SMS notifications if you miss a check-in

Check-in Data

When you check in, we record:

• Timestamp: When you completed each check-in
• Context Mode (Premium): Optional tag like "Before Driving" or "After Event"
• Notes (Premium): Optional private notes you add to check-ins

Device Information

• Push Notification Token: Used to send check-in reminders to your device

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide the Service: Enable check-ins, track your check-in history, and manage your contacts
• Send Reminders: Push notifications to remind you before your check-in window expires
• Emergency Notifications: Send SMS messages to your trusted contacts if you miss a check-in
• Account Security: Authenticate your identity and enable password reset
• Improve the Service: Understand usage patterns to make the app better

2A. SMS Text Messaging

User Opt-In

Users provide explicit consent to our SMS service during account registration by checking a required checkbox that states: "I consent to SMS notifications being sent to my trusted contacts if I miss a check-in." Account creation is blocked until this consent is provided.

Contact Opt-In (Required for All SMS Recipients)

When a user adds a trusted contact (Premium feature), the contact receives an SMS consent request. The contact must reply YES to confirm they want to receive alerts. Only contacts who explicitly opt-in by replying YES will receive any alert messages. Contacts who reply NO or do not respond will not receive any messages.

Message Frequency

Trusted contacts receive up to 1 SMS message per 24-48 hour period (depending on the user's selected mode), only when a user misses their check-in window. No marketing or promotional messages are ever sent.

Opt-Out

Message recipients can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. App users can remove trusted contacts through the app settings at any time.

Help

For assistance, reply HELP to any message or email [email protected]

Costs

Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Data Use

Phone numbers collected for SMS are used solely for delivering accountability alerts. We do not share, sell, or use phone numbers for marketing purposes.

3. Information Sharing

We share your information only in these limited circumstances:

Service Providers

• Twilio: We use Twilio to send SMS messages to your trusted contacts. Twilio receives phone numbers solely for message delivery. Twilio's Privacy Policy
• Expo/Apple/Google: Push notification services receive your device token to deliver reminders

What We Never Do

• We never sell your personal information
• We never share your data for advertising purposes
• We never share your trusted contacts' information with third parties for their own purposes

4. Data Storage and Security

We take security seriously:

• Encryption: Passwords are encrypted using bcrypt hashing
• Secure Storage: Authentication tokens are stored securely on your device
• HTTPS: All data transmission uses encrypted HTTPS connections
• Database Security: Your data is stored in a secure PostgreSQL database

5. Data Retention

• Active Accounts: We retain your data while your account is active
• Check-in History: Premium users' check-in history is retained for the life of the account
• Account Deletion: When you delete your account, all your data (including contacts, check-ins, and personal information) is permanently deleted from our servers

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: View all personal data we have about you
• Correction: Update your name, email, or phone number through the app
• Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data at any time through Settings
• Export: Request a copy of your data (contact us at the email below)
• Withdraw Consent: Remove trusted contacts or stop using the service at any time

7. Children's Privacy

Are You SOS? is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy in the app and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information is being collected about you
• Know whether your personal information is sold or disclosed and to whom
• Say no to the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
• Access your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights

10. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have additional rights including:

• The right to data portability
• The right to restrict processing
• The right to object to processing
• The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority