Vavo: Hobby Chat & Friends — Privacy Policy

Welcome to Vavo: Hobby Chat & Friends (“Vavo,” “the Product,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your information, and what rights you have. Please read it carefully before you use the Product. By using the Product, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use.

If any part of this Policy conflicts with applicable law, applicable law prevails. We may update this Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version in the app or on our official website and, where required, notify you of material changes in a reasonable manner.

1. Scope

This Policy applies to the Vavo: Hobby Chat & Friends mobile application (“Vavo”) and related features and services (including, without limitation, interest tags, Hobby feed browsing and posting, comments and interactions, messaging and calls, profile and settings), and to personal information we process to provide those features.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account and profile: such as nickname, avatar, interest tags, and bio content you choose to provide.
• User-generated content (UGC): text, images, comments, and other materials you submit.
• Communications: information necessary to provide instant messaging and audio/video features, subject to applicable law and product implementation.

2.2 Automatically Collected or Device-Related Information

• Device and log data: such as device model, OS version, app version, network type, crash logs, and performance data for security and stability.
• Local storage: certain data may be stored on your device (e.g., preferences, drafts) to improve experience or performance.

2.3 Permissions

We may request permissions as needed for features, including but not limited to:

• Camera / photo library: for avatar and post images.
• Microphone / camera: for audio/video calls.
• Notifications: for alerts if you enable them.

You can manage permissions in system settings; denying some permissions may limit related features.

2.4 Third-Party SDKs and Services

We may integrate third-party services (e.g., for real-time messaging or audio/video). Those providers may process information necessary for their services under their own privacy policies. We require reasonable security measures and encourage you to review their policies.

2.5 Sign in with Apple

On iOS, you may Sign in with Apple to create or sign in to your account. Apple acts as the identity provider. We may receive a user identifier associated with your Apple ID; where you authorize it, we may also receive name and email (Apple may show these on first authorization; you may use Apple’s Hide My Email). To complete sign-in securely, we process authorization credential information (e.g., a one-time authorization code verified with Apple on our servers to establish a session).

Processing is also subject to Apple’s terms and privacy materials; see Apple’s overview: Sign in with Apple and privacy. We use this information to create and maintain your account, authenticate sign-in, and for security and fraud prevention, consistent with “How We Use Information” below.

3. How We Use Information

We use your information only for lawful, legitimate, and necessary purposes, including to:

1. Provide, maintain, and improve the Product;
2. Authenticate users, ensure security, prevent fraud, and moderate content;
3. Respond to inquiries, complaints, reports, and rights requests;
4. Comply with laws, regulations, and lawful requests from authorities;
5. Use information as otherwise permitted by law or with your consent.

Content safety and reports: For user-published data, once we receive a valid report or identify content that requires action (including actions linked to blocking or removal), we will complete intake and take corresponding server-side action within 24 hours (complex cases may require longer, but we will strive to respond within a reasonable period). This commitment applies to UGC and related records that we actually operate and store on our servers.

4. Storage and Cross-Border Transfers

• We store and process your information in compliance with applicable laws, including where required within your jurisdiction.
• If cross-border transfers occur, we will follow applicable legal mechanisms (e.g., assessments, standard contractual clauses) and provide notice as required.

5. Sharing, Transfer, and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information to unrelated third parties. We may share or disclose information only when:

1. We have obtained your separate consent where required;
2. We must comply with legal obligations or lawful requests;
3. We share with affiliates or processors under contract, on a minimal necessary basis;
4. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or reorganization, subject to continued protection of your information;
5. Otherwise permitted by law.

6. Security

We implement technical and organizational measures consistent with industry practice (e.g., access controls, encryption in transit, security reviews). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; please protect your credentials and devices.

7. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Access and obtain a copy of your personal information;
• Correct or update inaccurate information;
• Delete your personal information or certain content where permitted;
• Withdraw consent or restrict certain processing (which may affect features);
• Close your account or request deletion, per in-app instructions (we may use a reasonable cooling-off period to prevent mistakes).

You may submit requests through in-app feedback or our published contact channels. We will respond within the timeframes required by law.

8. Children

If you are a minor, please use the Product under parental or guardian guidance. We process minors’ information only as permitted by law and, where required, with verifiable parental consent. If you believe we have collected information from a child without proper authorization, contact us and we will promptly investigate.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

If we use cookies or similar technologies in web or embedded views, they may be used for preferences, analytics, and security. You can manage them through browser or system settings where available.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this Policy, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us through the in-app “Settings” or “Feedback” channels. You may also reach us by phone at +43 660 8119185 or by post at Himberger Strasse 3, Schwechat, 2320, Austria (for the attention of the operator named below). We will respond within a reasonable time.

Your use of the Product is also governed by our Terms of Service.