Privacy Policy

MAK ("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 and web services.

1. Information We Collect

Account & Profile Information

• University email (.edu) for verification
• Name, age, gender, and profile preferences
• Profile photos and gallery images
• Bio and personal descriptions
• Academic institution and program details

Location Data

• Precise location for nearby events and user discovery
• Event check-in location verification
• Location history for event attendance tracking

Usage & Interaction Data

• Swipe patterns, matches, and user interactions
• Event creation, joining, and attendance records
• Message content and chat interactions
• App usage analytics and performance data

Device & Technical Information

• Device identifiers, operating system, and app version
• IP address and network information
• Push notification tokens
• Camera and photo library access (when granted)

Financial Information

• Payment card details (processed securely through third-party providers)
• Transaction history and subscription status
• PayPal account information for payouts (event organizers)

2. How We Use Your Information

Core App Functionality

• Create and manage your profile
• Enable user matching and discovery features
• Facilitate event creation, discovery, and attendance
• Process payments and manage subscriptions
• Generate QR codes for event check-ins

Communication & Support

• Send notifications about matches, messages, and events
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send important updates about our services

Safety & Security

• Prevent fraud and ensure platform safety
• Investigate and address policy violations
• Verify user identity and prevent fake accounts

3. Information Sharing

We share your information in the following circumstances:

With Other Users

• Profile information visible to potential matches
• Event attendance and interaction within events
• Messages exchanged with matched users

Service Providers

• Payment processors (Square, Stripe, PayPal)
• Cloud storage and hosting services (Firebase, Google Cloud)
• Analytics and performance monitoring services
• Email service providers (SendGrid)

Legal Requirements

• When required by law or legal process
• To protect our rights, property, or safety
• In connection with business transfers or mergers

4. Mobile App Permissions

Our mobile app requests the following permissions:

Location Services

• Purpose: Find nearby events and users, verify event check-ins
• When Used: Continuously when app is active, for location-based features
• Control: Can be disabled in device settings (may limit functionality)

Camera & Photo Library

• Purpose: Upload profile photos and event images, scan QR codes
• When Used: Only when you choose to add photos or scan codes
• Control: Permission requested before each use

Push Notifications

• Purpose: Alert you about matches, messages, events, and important updates
• When Used: Based on your activity and preferences
• Control: Can be disabled in app settings or device settings

Contacts (Optional)

• Purpose: Help you find friends who are also using MAK
• When Used: Only if you grant permission and opt-in
• Control: Entirely optional, can be revoked anytime

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure payment processing through certified providers
• Regular security audits and monitoring
• Limited access to personal data by authorized personnel only
• Two-factor authentication for admin accounts

6. Data Retention

We retain your information as follows:

• Active Accounts: Until you delete your account
• Deleted Accounts: Up to 30 days for recovery, then permanently deleted
• Messages: Stored until either user deletes their account
• Transaction Records: 7 years for legal and tax compliance
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized, retained indefinitely

7. Your Rights & Choices

Account Management

• Update or correct your profile information
• Control your privacy settings and visibility
• Manage notification preferences
• Delete your account and associated data

Data Requests

• Request a copy of your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Object to certain processing activities

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure adequate data protection through:

• Standard contractual clauses with service providers
• Adequacy decisions by relevant data protection authorities
• Other legally approved transfer mechanisms

9. Age Requirements

MAK is intended for users 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect information from minors under 18. If we discover we have collected information from a minor, we will delete it immediately.

10. Third-Party Services

Our app integrates with third-party services that have their own privacy policies:

• Google Services: Maps, Analytics, Firebase
• Payment Providers: Square, Stripe, PayPal
• Social Media: When you choose to share content
• Advertising: Google AdMob for ad personalization

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes through:

• In-app notifications
• Email notifications to your registered address
• Updates posted on our website

Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

This Privacy Policy is effective as of June 28, 2025, and applies to all users of the MAK mobile application and web services.