Privacy Policy

1) Information we collect

• Account information. When you Sign in with Apple, we receive your name (if you choose to share it) and an email address (real or Apple private relay).
• Voice interactions. Audio you send during a call and generated transcripts used to provide responses and features like memory of past chats.
• Usage and minutes. Session duration, remaining balance, and metering details needed to credit and deduct minutes.
• Purchases. Subscription and top‑up purchase confirmations (via Apple’s StoreKit), product identifiers, and receipt metadata. We do not collect your full payment card details; payments are processed by Apple.
• Device and diagnostics. Limited technical data (e.g., app version, device type, crash logs) to keep the Service reliable and secure.
• Support messages. Information you send to support so we can assist you.

We do not collect precise location, your contacts, photos, or advertising identifiers.

2) How we use information

• Deliver and improve the voice experience, including personalized replies and memory of names/goals.
• Operate account features (Sign in with Apple), manage subscriptions, minutes, and billing through Apple.
• Maintain safety, prevent misuse, and ensure service reliability and fraud prevention.
• Provide customer support and communicate important updates (e.g., policy or product changes).
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use.

We do not sell your personal information.

3) Voice and AI processing

To generate responses, we use third‑party processors to perform speech‑to‑text, large‑language‑model inference, and secure cloud hosting. These service providers process data only on our instructions and under contractual confidentiality and security obligations. Where provider controls exist, we configure them to restrict use of your content for provider model training.

Microphone access is required to conduct calls. You can revoke microphone permission at any time in your device settings, though the core voice experience will not function without it.

4) Data retention

• Account data is retained while your account is active and as needed to meet legal obligations.
• Conversation data (e.g., transcripts and memory summaries) is retained to personalize your experience until you delete it in You → Data Controls or request deletion.
• Raw audio may be processed temporarily to produce transcripts and responses. If stored, we keep it only as long as necessary for the purposes above.
• Top‑ups expire 12 months after purchase; we maintain records needed to administer that policy.

5) Sharing and third parties

• Service providers. Cloud hosting, speech‑to‑text, AI inference, error reporting, and analytics tools that operate on our behalf.
• Apple. We share necessary purchase and subscription metadata with Apple to fulfill in‑app purchases and manage entitlements.
• Legal and safety. We may disclose information to comply with law, protect users, or defend the Service.

We do not share personal information with third‑party advertisers.

6) Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data, including encryption in transit. No system is 100% secure. If you suspect unauthorized access, contact us immediately.

7) Your choices and rights

• Clear history. You can clear past conversations in You → Data Controls.
• Access, correction, deletion. Request a copy, correction, or deletion of your data by emailing support.
• Marketing preferences. Opt out of non‑essential emails using unsubscribe links or by contacting support.
• Account deletion. You can request account deletion at any time; we will delete associated personal data unless we must retain certain records to meet legal obligations.

8) Children

Bestie is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you are under 13, do not use the Service. If you are at least 13 but under the age of majority in your jurisdiction, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian. If you believe a child provided personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

9) International users

If you are outside the United States, your data may be processed in countries where we or our service providers operate. Where applicable, you may have rights under local law (e.g., GDPR or UK GDPR) to access, correct, or delete your data and to object to or restrict certain processing.

10) Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Material changes will be communicated in‑app or by email.

11) Contact

Questions or requests related to privacy can be sent to support@talkbestie.app.