Privacy Policy

HotSpot Technologies ("we," "us," or "our") operates the HotSpot mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App.

By using HotSpot, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Username
• Password (stored securely via Firebase Authentication)
• Profile picture
• Gender (optional, used only to personalize your experience)

If you sign in using Google or Apple, we receive your name and email address from those services.

1.2 Location Information

With your permission, we collect your device's precise location only while you are actively using the App to:

• Show nearby bars on the map
• Enable location-based features
• Verify bar attendance for submissions

We do not collect location data in the background. You can disable location access in your device settings at any time.

1.3 User-Generated Content

We collect content you create, including:

• Bar ratings and reviews
• Cover charge, wait time, and crowd information submissions
• Comments and replies on posts
• Friend connections and friend requests

1.4 Activity Information

We automatically collect:

• Bar attendance records
• App usage patterns
• Submission history and achievement progress
• Leaderboard participation data
• Last active timestamp

1.5 Device Information

We collect:

• Push notification tokens (for sending notifications)
• Device type and operating system
• App version

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and maintain the App
• Display bar information and community-submitted data
• Enable social features (friends, comments, likes)
• Send push notifications about activity relevant to you
• Calculate achievements and leaderboard rankings
• Moderate content to prevent objectionable, harmful, or inappropriate material
• Respond to support requests
• Improve the App and develop new features
• Enforce our Terms of Service

We do not use your data to track you across other companies' apps or websites for advertising purposes.

3. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate the App:

3.1 Firebase (Google)

We use Firebase for authentication, database storage, file storage, push notifications, and analytics.Firebase's privacy policy

3.2 OpenAI

We use OpenAI's moderation services to review user-generated content (text and images) for policy compliance. Content is sent to OpenAI solely for moderation purposes.OpenAI's privacy policy

3.3 Mapbox

We use Mapbox to display interactive maps. Mapbox may collect anonymized usage data to improve their services. Mapbox does not collect your location in the background.Mapbox's privacy policy

3.4 Resend

We use Resend to send transactional emails (support tickets, user feedback, leaderboard notifications).Resend's privacy policy

3.5 Google Sign-In & Apple Sign-In

If you use these authentication methods, those providers process your sign-in data according to their respective privacy policies.

4. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share your information:

• With other users: Your username, profile picture, ratings, comments, and public activity are visible to other users
• With service providers: As described in Section 3, to operate the App
• For legal reasons: If required by law or to protect our rights, safety, or property
• In a business transfer: If we merge with or are acquired by another company

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete your profile information. Some data (such as comments on posts) may remain visible but will be anonymized and no longer associated with your identity (e.g., displayed as "Deleted User").

Leaderboard and achievement records may be retained in anonymized form for historical purposes.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Account Deletion

You can delete your account at any time by going to Settings > Delete Account within the App. This will remove your profile and personal information.

6.2 Location Access

You can enable or disable location access in your device settings.

6.3 Push Notifications

You can disable push notifications in your device settings.

6.4 Profile Visibility

You can control whether your bar attendance history is visible to friends in your privacy settings.

6.5 Data Access

To request a copy of your data or ask questions about your information, contact us at team@hotspotbars.com.

7. California Residents (CCPA)

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

• Know what personal information we collect
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at team@hotspotbars.com.

8. European Users (GDPR)

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

• Access to your personal data
• Correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure of your data
• Restriction of processing
• Data portability
• Objection to processing

Our legal basis for processing is your consent (for optional features like location) and legitimate interests (for core app functionality).

To exercise these rights, contact us at team@hotspotbars.com.

9. Children's Privacy

HotSpot is intended for users who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we learn we have collected information from someone under 18, we will delete it promptly.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit (TLS/HTTPS) and at rest. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy in the App and updating the "Last Updated" date.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:

Email: team@hotspotbars.com

Website: https://hotspotbars.com

HotSpot Technologies