📱 Privacy & Policies

1. Introduction & Scope

Welcome to Ehkini (“the App”), a social media platform available on Android and iOS devices. The App offers interactive features including ephemeral stories (photos/videos that disappear after 24 hours), direct & group chat, and a virtual gift economy where users can purchase and send gifts to celebrate connections.

This document combines our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service (“Policies”). It explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, your rights, and the rules that govern your use of Stories, Chat, and Gifts. By using the App on any platform (Android/iOS), you agree to these Policies.

🧸 Child Safety Standards (CSAE Policy)

App name: Ehkini (as listed on Google Play)
Developer: Ehkini (as it appears on Google Play)

Zero Tolerance for Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE)

We have a strict ZERO-TOLERANCE policy against any form of child sexual abuse, exploitation, or grooming. This applies to all content, including Stories, Chat messages, profile pictures, and Virtual Gifts interactions.

Explicitly Prohibited Activities

• ❌ Creating, uploading, sharing, or requesting any content that depicts or describes child sexual abuse (Child Sexual Abuse Material – CSAM).
• ❌ Grooming, sexually exploiting, or attempting to contact a minor for sexual purposes – regardless of whether the conversation starts inside or outside the app.
• ❌ Sharing links, usernames, or references to external platforms that host CSAM or facilitate child exploitation.
• ❌ Using the app’s chat or gift features to trade, sell, or promote any form of child exploitation.
• ❌ Any AI‑generated or synthetic content that depicts minors in sexually suggestive or abusive scenarios.

Enforcement & Reporting

When we become aware of any CSAE violation, we will:

• ✅ Immediately remove the offending content (Story, message, gift, or profile).
• ✅ Permanently ban the user account without warning.
• ✅ Report confirmed CSAM to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and, where required, to local law enforcement.
• ✅ Preserve all relevant evidence for legal authorities.

Child Safety Point of Contact

To report any concern related to child safety (including suspected grooming, CSAM, or inappropriate contact with minors), please contact our dedicated Child Safety Officer immediately:

📧 Child Safety Email: childsafety@storychatgifts.com
⏱️ We will acknowledge your report within 24 hours and take action within 48 hours.

In‑App Reporting Mechanism

Our app provides a “Report” button on every Story, Chat message, and user profile. Users can tap the three dots (⋮) or flag icon to report any suspicious or abusive content. All child safety reports are escalated to our Child Safety Officer. You do not need to log in to use the in‑app reporting feature – it is available to all users.

🔒 Privacy Policy

2. Information We Collect

To provide Stories, Chat, and Gifts, we collect the following categories of personal data:

• Account & Profile: name, username, email address, profile picture, and optional bio.
• Stories Content: photos, videos, captions, location tags (if granted), and metadata such as timestamps and view counts. Stories are automatically deleted after 24h, but are stored on our servers during that period.
• Chat Messages: text, images, voice notes, and files shared in direct messages or groups. Message history is retained until you delete it or your account is removed.
• Gift Transactions: records of virtual gifts sent/received, purchase history, and transaction IDs. No financial or credit card data is processed by us – all payments go through Apple App Store / Google Play Store.
• Device & Usage Data: device type, OS version (Android/iOS), unique identifiers (IDFV/GAID with consent), app version, crash logs, and feature interaction analytics.
• Optional Permissions: camera, photo library, microphone, and notifications (used for creating stories and chat features). Permission can be revoked in device settings.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected data to operate, improve, and secure the App:

• ✓ Deliver Stories, Chat, and Gifts functionality (e.g., showing your story to followers, delivering messages, processing gift animations).
• ✓ Personalize content and suggest friends based on activity (with opt-out available).
• ✓ Moderate prohibited content using automated + human review to ensure community safety.
• ✓ Analyze usage trends, fix bugs, and enhance performance on both Android and iOS.
• ✓ Comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms, and prevent fraud/abuse.

4. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal data. We share data only in limited circumstances:

• Service providers: cloud hosting (e.g., AWS, Firebase), analytics (privacy-preserving), push notification providers. All processors sign data protection agreements.
• Legal & safety: if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public.
• With your consent: e.g., when you choose to cross-post a story to other platforms.
• Business transfers: in case of merger or acquisition, you will be notified.

Stories & Chat visibility: Your stories are visible to your chosen audience (followers, friends, etc.) and chat messages are only visible to conversation participants – except if reported for moderation.

5. Your Privacy Rights (GDPR / CCPA / Global)

Depending on your region, you have the following rights, which we readily honor:

• Right to access & portability: obtain a copy of your data.
• Right to rectification: correct inaccurate profile information.
• Right to deletion ("right to be forgotten"): delete your account and associated data (stories, chat logs, gift history).
• Right to restrict/object processing: opt out of non-essential analytics.
• CCPA specific: Right to know what personal data we collect, request deletion, and opt-out of any “sale” (we do not sell data).
• Parental/guardian rights: for children under applicable age of consent, parents may request deletion of child's data.

To exercise any right, contact privacy@storychatgifts.com or use the in-app "Data Request" feature.

6. Children’s Privacy (COPPA & GDPR-K)

Our app is not directed at children under 13 (or higher age under local law, e.g., 16 in certain EU countries). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with data, please contact us and we will delete it immediately. Users between 13 and 18 must have parental permission where required by law.

7. Data Retention & Security

We retain your information as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. Stories are deleted automatically after 24 hours. Chat messages remain until you delete them or close your account. Gift transaction records are kept for tax/legal compliance (up to 7 years). We implement industry-standard encryption (TLS 1.3), data access controls, and regular security audits for both Android and iOS environments.

⚖️ Terms of Service

8. Eligibility & Account Registration

You must be at least 13 years old (or the age of digital consent in your country) to use the App. By creating an account, you agree to provide accurate information and maintain confidentiality of your login credentials. You are solely responsible for all activity on your account.

9. User Conduct – Stories, Chat & Gifts

You are responsible for the content you post in stories, chats, and your profile. You agree NOT to:

• ❌ Child sexual abuse or exploitation (CSAE) – including any content, conversation, or gift that involves minors in a sexual context. This is a zero‑tolerance violation.
• ❌ Post illegal, abusive, harassing, hateful, or sexually explicit content in stories or chats.
• ❌ Impersonate others or engage in deceptive practices (e.g., fake gifts or spam).
• ❌ Use the chat feature to distribute malware, phishing links, or unsolicited promotions.
• ❌ Exploit the gift system for money laundering, refund fraud, or any abusive transactions.
• ❌ Violate intellectual property rights: do not post stories or images you do not own or have permission to share.

Moderation: We reserve the right to remove any story, chat message, or gift that violates our policies and to suspend or permanently terminate offending accounts.

10. Virtual Gifts & In-App Purchases

The App features a virtual currency (“Gems” or “Stars”) that can be purchased via the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store. These virtual items are used to send gifts to other users. By making a purchase:

• All sales are final and non-refundable, except as required by applicable law or store policy (e.g., EU statutory refund rights).
• Virtual gifts have no real-world monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash, goods, or services outside the App.
• We are not responsible for lost or mis-sent gifts – double-check recipient before sending.
• Any unused virtual currency is forfeited upon account termination due to policy violation.

11. Intellectual Property & License

You retain ownership of the content you post (stories, chat texts, images). By posting on our platform, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, display, and distribute your content solely for operating the App. You can delete your content at any time (stories auto-delete after 24h). Our App design, logos, and code are owned by us and may not be copied without permission.

12. Termination & Account Deletion

You may delete your account at any time via Settings → Delete Account. Upon deletion, your stories, chat history, and gift logs will be permanently removed from active systems within 30 days (except anonymized analytics or legal backups). We may suspend accounts that violate these Terms or cause harm to other users, without prior notice.

13. Disclaimer of Warranties & Limitation of Liability

The App is provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE”. We do not guarantee that the service will be uninterrupted or error-free. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of Stories, Chat, or Gifts. In no event shall our total liability exceed the amount you paid us (if any) in the past 12 months.

14. Changes to These Policies

We may update these Policies from time to time to reflect legal or operational changes. Material changes will be notified via in-app notification, email, or when you next open the App. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates the latest revision.

📲 Android & iOS Specific Disclosures

To meet latest store requirements (Google Play's User Data policy & Apple's App Store 5.1 privacy rules):

• Android: We explicitly request runtime permissions for camera, microphone, and storage when you attempt to create a story or send media in chat. No data collection occurs without consent. Our privacy policy link is visible on your Google Play Store listing.
• iOS: We comply with App Tracking Transparency (ATT): if we use identifiers for analytics or advertising (with your opt-in), we will request authorization via the ATT prompt. You can change preferences in iOS settings.
• Data deletion: Both stores require the ability to delete account and associated data — this is fully supported in-app and via email request.
• Children’s designation: Our app does not target children, but if age-gating indicates a user under 13, we restrict certain features and data collection as required by COPPA and Google Play's Families Policy.

🌍 Additional Legal Disclosures (EU, UK, California)

GDPR (EEA/UK users): Legal basis for processing includes performance of contract (providing Stories/Chat/Gifts), legitimate interests (security, analytics), and consent (optional permissions). You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

CCPA/CPRA (California residents): You have the right to request that we disclose categories of personal information collected, sources, and business purpose. To exercise "Do Not Sell My Personal Information": we do not sell, but you may opt-out of sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising via in-app settings. Contact privacy@storychatgifts.com for verifiable consumer requests.

International transfers: Data may be stored on servers located in the United States and EU regions, using Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for data transfers where required.

📢 Reporting & Contact Information

If you believe content on Stories or Chat violates our policies (harassment, illegal content, copyright infringement), please report using the in-app "Report" button or email abuse@storychatgifts.com. For privacy inquiries, data requests, or general questions: