Privacy Policy

BridgeU ("we," "our," or "us") operates a social networking platform designed for university students to connect and share content. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our mobile application and related services ("the App").

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Account Information: University email address, username, and profile photo.
• User Content: Posts, images, and comments you upload.
• Profile Data: Age, gender, faculty, bio, interests, and gender preferences.
• Location Data: Optional location information to show nearby matches.
• Usage Data: Device information, crash logs, and analytics data.
• Third-Party Data: Non-personal identifiers from Google Mobile Ads and User Messaging Platform SDKs.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected data to:

• Provide and maintain app functionality.
• Enable matching and connections between university students.
• Display user posts and enable interaction.
• Improve app performance and user experience.
• Show personalized (non-sensitive) ads.
• Verify university student status through email verification.
• Provide AI-powered conversation assistance.

3. Data Sharing

We may share limited information with trusted third-party providers (such as Google AdMob) to serve ads and measure performance. We do not sell or trade your personal data.

Your profile information is only visible to other verified university students within the app.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data:

• Passwords are encrypted using secure hashing algorithms.
• All API communications use secure HTTPS connections.
• Access to user data is strictly controlled and monitored.

5. Data Retention

Your information is stored securely and retained only as long as necessary to provide our services or comply with legal obligations. You may delete your account at any time from the app settings.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data stored in the app.
• Update or correct your profile information.
• Delete your account and all associated data.
• Opt out of personalized advertising.
• Request a copy of your data.

7. Children's Privacy

BridgeU is intended only for university students aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18.

8. Third-Party Services

BridgeU integrates the following third-party services:

• Google AdMob: For displaying advertisements.
• OpenRouter AI: For AI conversation assistance.

These services have their own privacy policies governing their use of information.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies and tracking technologies to maintain your session and improve app functionality. Third-party advertising services may also use cookies for ad personalization.

10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The latest version will always be available within the App and at this URL. We will notify users of significant changes.

12. Contact Us

For any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact: