Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Squo ("we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use the Squo mobile application ("App"). By using the App, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Phone number — for account verification via SMS OTP
• Profile information — name, username, avatar photo, birthday, and bio
• Messages and media — text messages, photos, and moments (stories) you share within the App
• Contact list — with your permission, we use your device contacts only to find which of your contacts are already on Squo. Only the phone numbers from your contacts are sent to our service for matching, and they are not stored. Names, emails, photos, and any other contact fields never leave your device. This permission is optional — the App works fully without it.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Location data — GPS coordinates for geofence-based presence detection, collected when the App is in use and in the background (with your permission)
• Presence records — timestamps of when you enter and exit geofenced locations
• Device information — device token for push notifications, platform type

3. How We Use Your Information

• Provide geofence-based presence detection and real-time notifications
• Enable messaging, group chat, and direct messages between users
• Match your contacts to existing Squo users to suggest friends
• Deliver push notifications for arrivals, departures, messages, and friend requests
• Display ephemeral moments (stories) to place members
• Enforce privacy settings such as ghost mode, private accounts, and phone visibility
• Maintain security and prevent abuse

4. Location Data

Location data is central to Squo's functionality. We use your location to:

• Detect when you enter or exit a geofenced spot
• Record presence entries with approximate coordinates
• Sort and display nearby spots on the map
• Discover public venues near your location

Location is processed on your device for geofence monitoring. Only entry and exit events for places you have created or joined are sent to our service — we do not continuously track or stream your GPS position. Stale presence records are automatically closed after 24 hours. You can enable Ghost Mode to hide your presence from others while still recording it privately.

5. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored in secure cloud services with strict access controls so each user can only access information they are authorized to see. Media files (photos, avatars, moments) are stored with similar access controls. All data is transmitted over encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS).

6. Service Providers

We rely on a small set of service providers in the following categories to operate the App:

• Cloud database, authentication, and storage providers
• Push notification services provided by your device's operating system
• Mapping and place-discovery providers, used to render the map and identify public venues

These providers process information on our behalf under contractual obligations to protect it. We do not sell your data to any third party, and we do not use your data for advertising.

7. Privacy Controls

Squo provides the following privacy controls:

• Ghost Mode — hide your presence from all other users
• Private Account — restrict who can see your profile
• Phone Visibility — control who can see your phone number (nobody, friends, or everyone)
• Profile Visibility — control who can see your profile (friends or everyone)
• Mute Notifications — mute notifications per place
• Block Users — block specific users from interacting with you

8. Data Retention

• Presence records are retained for analytical purposes but stale entries are auto-closed after 24 hours
• Moments (stories) expire and are deleted after 24 hours
• Messages are retained until you delete your account
• You can delete your account at any time from the App's settings, which removes your profile, places, keys, and associated data

9. Children's Privacy

Squo is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

10. Your Rights

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

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Withdraw consent for data processing
• Export your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@squo.world.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through the App or by other reasonable means. Your continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, contact us at support@squo.world.