Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to NOC ("we," "us," "our," or "the App"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using the App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the App.

We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and, where required by law, by providing additional notice through the App or via email.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, information that is automatically collected when you use the App, and information from third-party sources.

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you register for and use the App, we collect the following personal information:

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access and use the App, we automatically collect certain information:

1.3 Information from Third-Party Services

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 Providing Core Services

• Account Management: Create, maintain, and secure your account
• Authentication: Verify your identity through email OTP verification
• Profile Management: Display and update your profile information
• Content Delivery: Show you relevant posts, events, and club information
• Social Features: Enable interactions through likes, comments, and follows
• Event Management: Create, manage, and participate in campus events
• Club Management: Join clubs, manage memberships, and handle leadership roles

2.2 Communication

2.3 Personalization and Improvement

• Content Personalization: Customize your feed based on your campus, clubs, and interests
• App Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to improve features and user experience
• Bug Fixes: Identify and resolve technical issues
• Performance Optimization: Enhance app speed and reliability

2.4 Safety and Security

• Content Moderation: Review reported content and enforce community guidelines
• Account Security: Detect and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity
• Terms Enforcement: Investigate violations of our Terms of Service
• Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and regulations

2.5 Analytics and Research

• Usage Analytics: Understand how users interact with the App
• Feature Analytics: Measure feature adoption and effectiveness
• Aggregate Statistics: Generate anonymized insights about app usage

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 With Other Users (By Design)

• Public Profile Information: Your name, profile picture, academic details, and role are visible to other users at your campus
• Posts and Comments: Content you create is visible to other users
• Club Membership: Your club affiliations may be visible to other club members
• Event Participation: Your attendance at events may be visible to event organizers and participants
• Likes and Reactions: Your interactions with content may be visible to content creators

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Firebase/Google Cloud: Push notification delivery and cloud infrastructure
• Hosting Providers: Server hosting and data storage (https://noc-api.dextrouslab.com/)
• Image Storage: Profile pictures, post images, and event images stored on our servers

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to court orders, legal processes, government or regulatory requests, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of NOC, our users, or others.

3.4 Business Transfers

If NOC is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or other business transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy.

4.1 Account Deletion

• We delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days
• Some information may be retained for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention, legal compliance)
• Backup systems are generally deleted within 90 days
• Content shared with others may remain visible, but your identifying information will be removed

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical security measures.

5.1 Security Measures

• Encryption in Transit: All data transmitted uses HTTPS encryption
• Authentication: Secure token-based authentication system is used
• Access Controls: Access to personal information is limited on a need-to-know basis

5.2 Security Limitations

• Local Storage: Data stored locally on your device (e.g., using AsyncStorage) is NOT encrypted by default
• No Absolute Security: No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure
• User Responsibility: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password

5.3 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users within 72 hours of discovery (where required by law).

6. Your Rights and Choices

You may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

You can manage Push Notifications through App settings or your device settings.

7. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with information, contact us immediately at Noculant@gmail.com.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We implement appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, for international transfers.

9. Regional Privacy Rights

9.1 European Economic Area (EEA) - GDPR Rights

If you are in the EEA, your processing is based on Consent, Contract Performance, Legitimate Interests, or Legal Obligations. You have the rights to:

• Access
• Rectification
• Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")
• Restriction
• Data Portability
• Object
• Lodge a Complaint with a data protection authority

9.2 California Residents - CCPA/CPRA Rights

California residents have the Right to Know, Right to Delete, and Right to Correct inaccurate information. We do not sell personal information and do not use sensitive personal information in ways that require a "Right to Limit Use." To exercise your rights, email us at Noculant@gmail.com.

9.3 Other Jurisdictions

Residents of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and other jurisdictions may have similar rights, including the right to access, correct, and delete personal data.

10. Third-Party Services and Tracking

10.1 Third-Party Services

We use Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites linked from the App.

10.2 No Tracking Technologies

As a native mobile application, we do not use browser cookies. We do not use third-party analytics services, advertising networks, or cross-site tracking technologies. We only use local storage for app state and preferences.

11. Educational Institutions

NOC is an independent platform and is not sponsored by any educational institution. We do not share your personal information with your educational institution without your consent, unless required by law. Your campus selection is used solely for connecting you with relevant users and content.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and through in-app or email notification. Your continued use of the App constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: Noculant@gmail.com
• Support: Available through in-app support
• Response Time: We will respond to your inquiries within 30 days (or as required by applicable law)