1. Introduction
SpotFlare is a real-time social platform built to help professionals, people new to a city, and anyone seeking authentic connection find small-group events and meetups nearby. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not use the Platform.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Username and display name
- Date of birth (used to verify minimum age of 18 — displayed publicly as age in years only, never as date of birth)
- Profile photo
- Bio (optional, max 150 characters)
- Interests and hobbies selected from our predefined list
- One custom interest in free text (optional)
- Event content including name, description, category, date, time, location, photos
- Messages sent through the Platform
- Phone number (when used to find friends; not stored long-term after matching)
- Identity verification information processed through Stripe (Open to Meet)
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Location data — fetched once when you open the app to show nearby events and people. For Open to Meet, approximate location is updated periodically while the app is in the foreground only. We never track your location in the background.
- Device information — device type, OS version, unique device identifiers
- Usage data — features used, events viewed, events joined, time spent in the app
- Log data — IP address, app crashes, performance data
- Push notification tokens
2.3 Information From Third Parties
- Email and name from Google or Apple if you authenticate through those providers
- Payment confirmation from Stripe — we never receive or store full card details
- Phone number matching through Twilio when you choose to find friends by phone
3. How We Use Your Information
- Create and maintain your account
- Display your profile to other users based on your privacy settings
- Show events and people near your current location
- Enable the Open to Meet feature and display approximate location to nearby verified users when active
- Process identity verification payments through Stripe
- Send push notifications about events, friend requests, and connections
- Verify phone numbers through Twilio for friend discovery
- Generate shareable event cards containing event info and QR codes
- Enforce our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines
- Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and safety threats
- Improve and develop the Platform; communicate with you about your account
4. Location Data — Special Notice
4.1 Standard App Use
When you open the app we request your location once using the "While Using" permission. We do not track your location in the background. We do not store your location history.
4.2 Open to Meet Feature
When you activate Open to Meet you consent to sharing your approximate location with nearby verified users for the duration you select. Location is displayed at neighborhood level only — never as an exact address or precise GPS coordinate. Your precise coordinates are never stored. When your session expires your location data is immediately deleted from our systems.
4.3 Friends
Even confirmed friends never see your exact location. Friend location sharing is neighborhood-level only.
4.4 Mapbox
We use Mapbox to render maps and process proximity. Location data is transmitted to Mapbox in accordance with mapbox.com/legal/privacy.
5. How We Share Your Information
5.1 With Other Users
Your username, display name, profile photo, bio, age, interests, and verified badge are visible to other SpotFlare users. Events you create are visible to users within proximity (public events) or only your confirmed friends (friends-only). Your Open to Meet card is visible to nearby verified users when active.
5.2 With Service Providers
- Google Cloud Platform — infrastructure, databases, storage
- Stripe — identity verification payments (stripe.com/privacy)
- Twilio — phone verification for friend discovery (twilio.com/legal/privacy)
- Mapbox — map rendering and proximity (mapbox.com/legal/privacy)
5.3 For Safety and Legal Compliance
We may disclose your information when required by law or to protect the safety of any person, investigate fraud or abuse, or protect SpotFlare's rights.
5.4 Business Transfers
If SpotFlare is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
5.5 No Sale of Personal Data
SpotFlare does not sell your personal information to third parties.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as your account is active. Upon account deletion we delete your profile, events you created, and messages within 30 days, except where retention is required by law. Open to Meet location data is deleted immediately upon session expiry.
7. Your Rights and Choices
7.1 Account Information
You may update or delete your account at any time through app settings.
7.2 Location Permissions
You may withdraw location permission at any time through device settings.
7.3 Push Notifications
You may opt out through device or in-app settings.
7.4 Data Access and Portability
Request a copy of your data by emailing support@spotflare.app.
7.5 Deletion
Request deletion via app settings or by emailing support@spotflare.app.
7.6 California Residents
California residents may have additional CCPA rights including the right to know, delete, and opt-out of sale. SpotFlare does not sell personal information. Contact support@spotflare.app to exercise your rights.
8. Security
We use TLS encryption in transit, secure storage on Google Cloud Platform, and access controls. No security system is impenetrable; you use the Platform at your own risk.
9. Children's Privacy
SpotFlare is not intended for anyone under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. Contact support@spotflare.app if you believe we have.
10. Third-Party Links
The Platform may contain links to third-party services. This Policy does not apply to those services.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Policy. We will notify you of material changes by push notification, email, or in-app notice. Continued use after changes become effective constitutes acceptance.
12. Contact Us
SpotFlare, Inc. · 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808 · support@spotflare.app