Privacy Policy for Bunechat
Effective Date: December 19, 2025
Bunechat ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.
1. Information We Collect
We collect and process the following types of information:
- Account Information: Phone number, username, display name, profile photo, and status message
- Messages & Content: Text messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and other content you send or receive
- Call Data: Call logs, call duration, call participants, and call quality metrics for voice and video calls
- Camera & Media: Photos and videos you capture or select to share through the app
- Location Data: Your geographic location when you choose to share it with contacts
- Device Information: Device model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and app version
- Usage Data: How you interact with the app, feature usage, and app performance data
- Payment Information: Transaction history for premium subscriptions and in-app purchases (processed by Google Play)
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
- To provide and maintain messaging, voice, and video calling services
- To process international calls via our self-hosted SIP infrastructure
- To manage premium subscriptions and in-app purchases
- To enable you to connect and communicate with other users
- To display stories and status updates to your contacts
- To improve app functionality, features, and user experience
- To provide customer support and respond to inquiries
- To ensure security and prevent fraud or abuse
- To send service-related notifications and updates
- To comply with legal obligations
3. Camera Permission
We request camera permission to enable the following features:
- Take photos and record videos to share with your contacts
- Capture and upload profile photos
- Create and share stories
- Enable video calling and video messages
- Scan QR codes for adding contacts (if applicable)
Important: Camera access is only used when you explicitly choose to use these features. We do not access your camera in the background or without your knowledge. You can revoke camera permission at any time in your device settings.
4. Other Permissions
The app requests additional permissions for the following purposes:
- Microphone: For voice messages, voice calls, and video calls
- Storage/Photos: To save media files and access your photo gallery when sharing content
- Contacts: To help you find and connect with other Bunechat users
- Location: To share your location with contacts when you choose to do so
- Notifications: To notify you of new messages, calls, and app updates
5. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored securely using industry-standard cloud services:
- Firebase Authentication: Secure user authentication and account management
- Cloud Firestore: Encrypted storage of messages, user profiles, and app data
- Firebase Storage: Secure storage of media files (photos, videos, voice messages)
- Stream Video SDK: Video calling infrastructure with encrypted communications
All data transmission is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS protocols. We implement security best practices including:
- Encrypted data in transit and at rest
- Firestore security rules to protect user data
- Regular security audits and updates
- Access controls and authentication requirements
6. Third-Party Services
We use the following trusted third-party services to provide app functionality:
- Firebase (Google LLC): Backend infrastructure, authentication, database, storage, and analytics
- Stream Video (Stream.io Inc): Video calling infrastructure and real-time communications
- Google Play Billing: In-app purchase processing and subscription management
These services have their own privacy policies governing their use of your information.
7. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
We only share your data in the following circumstances:
- With Other Users: When you send messages, make calls, share media, or update your status
- Service Providers: With third-party services necessary to operate the app (Firebase, Stream) under strict data protection agreements
- Legal Compliance: When required by law, court order, or legal process
- Safety & Security: To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users will be notified)
8. Data Retention
We retain your data for the following periods:
- Messages: Stored until you or the recipient deletes them
- Stories: Automatically deleted after 24 hours
- Media Files: Stored until manually deleted or until account deletion
- Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
- Call Logs: Stored for up to 90 days for billing and support purposes
- Analytics Data: Retained in aggregated form for business analysis
9. Your Rights and Choices
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: View and download your personal data
- Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data
- Correction: Update or correct your profile information
- Permissions: Revoke app permissions (camera, microphone, location, etc.) at any time
- Data Portability: Export your data in a readable format
- Opt-Out: Disable analytics and non-essential data collection
- Marketing: Unsubscribe from promotional communications
To exercise these rights, visit the Settings section in the app or contact us using the information below.
10. Children's Privacy
Bunechat is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. Parents who believe their child has provided us with personal information should contact us immediately.
11. International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
12. International Calling
When using international calling features:
- Your calls are routed through our self-hosted Asterisk SIP server
- Call metadata (phone numbers, duration, timestamps) is stored securely in our database
- Call quality and connection data may be collected for service improvement
- Calling credit purchases and usage are tracked for billing purposes
All call data is processed in accordance with this privacy policy and stored securely.
13. Premium Subscriptions and Purchases
Premium subscription and in-app purchase information:
- Payments are processed securely by Google Play Billing
- We receive transaction confirmations and subscription status updates
- Payment card details are handled exclusively by Google Play (we never see them)
- Subscription benefits are tied to your account
- Refunds and billing disputes are handled according to Google Play's policies
14. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
The app may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Maintain your login session
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Analyze app usage and performance
- Provide personalized features
You can manage tracking preferences in the app settings.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of significant changes through:
- In-app notifications
- Email to your registered email address
- Update notices on this page
Your continued use of the app after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
16. Data Breach Notification
In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable law within 72 hours of discovering the breach.
17. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete your information, and the right to opt-out of data sales. We do not sell personal information.
18. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to access, rectification, erasure, data portability, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
Last updated: December 19, 2025