Flare ("Flare," "we," "us," or "our") built the Flare mobile application (the "App") to help you let your friends know when you're free. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the App, you agree to the practices described here.
Our guiding principle is simple: your availability is yours. We don't sell or share it, and we collect as little as we can to make the App work.
1. Information we collect
Information you provide
- Account details. When you sign up we collect your phone number (used to create and secure your account), a username you choose, and optionally a display name and profile photo.
- Flares and notes. When you broadcast, we process the flare's duration and any optional note you add so your friends can see it. Flares are ephemeral and expire on a timer.
Contacts
- With your permission, Flare matches your device contacts to find friends who are already on Flare. Your contacts are matched for this purpose and are not stored on our servers. You can use the App without granting contacts access.
Information collected automatically
- Device & push tokens. To deliver notifications, we collect a push notification token associated with your device.
- Time zone. We capture your device's time zone so durations and notifications are timed correctly.
- Diagnostic data. We may collect limited technical information (such as app version, device type, and error logs) to keep the App reliable.
What we do not collect
- We do not track your precise location. A flare is a "free / not free" signal, not a location.
- We do not read your messages or store your address book.
2. How we use information
- To operate the core loop — broadcasting your flare, showing you who's free, and letting you connect with friends.
- To send notifications you've opted into (for example, when a friend sends up a flare or waves at you).
- To match your contacts to existing friends on Flare, at your request.
- To secure your account, prevent abuse, and troubleshoot problems.
- To improve the App and develop new features.
3. How information is shared
- With your friends. When you send up a flare, your name, optional note, and remaining time are visible to the friends you broadcast to. That's the point of the App.
- Service providers. We use trusted third parties to run the App — for example, cloud hosting and backend services (Supabase), push notification delivery (Firebase Cloud Messaging / Apple Push Notification service), and, where applicable, SMS delivery for verification or invites. These providers process data only to provide their service to us.
- Legal reasons. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our users or the public.
- We never sell your data. We do not sell or rent your personal information or availability, and we never inject ads into your friends list or notifications.
- No sharing of mobile data for marketing. Mobile information — including your phone number and SMS consent or opt-in — will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data is never sold or shared with anyone for their own marketing.
Text messaging (SMS)
When you create an account with your phone number, you consent to receive SMS text messages from Flare — such as one-time verification codes and account or security notifications. We use a messaging provider (for example, Twilio) solely to deliver these messages on our behalf; they do not use your number for their own purposes. Message frequency varies and message and data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to opt out of non-essential texts at any time, or HELP for help. See our Terms of Service for full messaging terms.
4. Data retention
Flares are ephemeral and expire automatically. We retain account information (like your phone number and username) for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your personal information, except where we're required to retain it for legal or security reasons.
5. Your choices and rights
- Permissions. You control contacts, notifications, photo, and other device permissions in your device settings, and can change them at any time.
- Access & deletion. You can delete your account from within the App. To request a copy of your data or its deletion, contact us at the email below.
- Notifications. Notifications are opt-in. You can turn them off in the App or your device settings.
Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws such as the GDPR or CCPA, including the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information. We honor these requests as required by applicable law.
6. Children's privacy
Flare is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.
7. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit and secure storage of credentials. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we'll revise the "Last updated" date above and, for material changes, provide a more prominent notice within the App.
9. Contact us
Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at sendaflareup@gmail.com.
This Privacy Policy is provided for general informational purposes and should be reviewed by legal counsel before public release to ensure it meets the requirements that apply to your business and the App stores.