PawMatch (“PawMatch”, “we”, “our”, “App”) provides pet profile creation, matching, and messaging features. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your rights.
1) Data We Collect
Account Data: Email address; authentication/session data (access token, refresh token); Google Sign-In authentication data (ID token and related account information). Profile and App Content: User and pet profile information (e.g., name, type, gender, breed, birth date, bio, preferences, and similar fields); uploaded pet photos; support/feedback content. Location Data: Latitude/longitude used for discovery and matching (when permission is granted). Messaging and Interaction Data: Matches, chat messages, and message-read status. Device and Technical Data: Push notification token; device identifiers (platform-provided device ID); crash/error diagnostics (e.g., Sentry). Advertising Measurement Data: The device's advertising identifier (IDFA on iOS, Google Advertising ID on Android) and specific moments in the App: installing the App, opening it, completing registration, creating a first pet profile, and publishing a lost-pet listing. These events never carry a name, email address, phone number, or location. Lost Listing Contact Number: A user who publishes a lost-pet listing may optionally leave a phone number. The field is not required. The number is published only when the user explicitly agrees to show it on the listing; other users who see the listing can request it for that listing and call the owner. The number is not used for advertising or analytics and is not shared with third parties.
2) Why We Use Data
We process data to: create accounts, authenticate users, and manage sessions; provide discovery/matching and location-based functionality; enable photo upload, profile management, and content processing; deliver messaging and notifications; improve security, detect abuse, and maintain performance/stability; provide customer support and handle feedback; comply with legal obligations. We also measure whether our advertising works: we use limited data to see which ad reached someone who installed the App, so we can stop paying for ads that do not. We do not show ads inside the App, and we do not sell your data.
3) Permissions
The App may request: location permission (discovery/matching), photo/media library permission (photo upload), notification permission (message/match notifications). You can manage permissions in device settings at any time. Some features may not work if permissions are denied. On iOS the App also asks for tracking permission (App Tracking Transparency). If you decline, your advertising identifier is not shared with our advertising partner, and the App keeps working with all of its features. On Android you can reset your advertising ID or turn off personalised ads in device settings.
4) Third-Party Services
We may use: Google Sign-In (authentication), Firebase Cloud Messaging (push notifications), Sentry (crash/error monitoring), Cloudflare R2 or compatible object storage (media storage), Expo/React Native infrastructure services, Google Analytics for Firebase (usage analytics), Meta Platforms (measuring the result of Facebook and Instagram ads). These providers may process data under their own privacy terms. What we share with Meta is limited to the advertising measurement data listed above, and its purpose is to see whether an ad worked.
5) Data Retention
We retain data for as long as necessary to provide the service and meet legal obligations. Account/profile data: while account is active. Session data: limited periods for security/session management. Photos: placed into deletion flow when removed by user/account deletion. Technical logs: retained for a reasonable period for security and diagnostics. Phone number left on a lost listing: deleted when the listing closes (marked as found or withdrawn) or when the user removes the number from the listing screen.
6) Account Deletion and Data Deletion
The App provides an in-app account deletion option. After a deletion request: the account is removed from active app use; related content (e.g., profile/photos) enters deletion processing; except where retention is required for legal, security, fraud-prevention, or dispute-resolution reasons, remaining data is permanently deleted or anonymized within a reasonable period. You may also request deletion by contacting: tech@pawmatch.site
7) Security
We apply technical and organizational safeguards to protect data. However, no system is 100% secure.
8) Children’s Privacy
The App is not directed to children under 13. If we become aware of such data, we take appropriate deletion/protection steps.
9) International Data Transfers
Due to infrastructure providers, data may be processed or stored in different countries.
10) Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will be posted on this page.
11) Contact
For privacy-related questions: tech@pawmatch.site