Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 30, 2026

Echoes from the Ether ("we," "our," "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our app.

1. Age Requirements

This service is only available to users 18 years of age and older. By creating an account, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we discover that someone under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will delete that information immediately.

2. Information We Collect

Account Information

  • Email Address: Required for account creation, login, and essential communications about your account or the service
  • Login Credentials: Password and authentication information to secure your account
  • Account Creation Date: When your account was established

Content You Share ("Echoes")

  • Anonymous Posts: Content you share is posted anonymously without connection to your identity
  • Echo Interactions: Records of which Echoes you choose to "hold" (save from expiring)
  • Posting Activity: General usage patterns and frequency of posts

Analytics and Usage Data

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and our own systems to understand how the app is used:

  • Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version
  • Usage Patterns: How you navigate and interact with the app
  • Performance Data: App crashes, loading times, feature usage
  • Anonymous Interaction Data: Which features are used most, user flow patterns

Automatically Collected Information

  • IP Address: For security and basic location insights (not stored long-term)
  • Session Data: Login times and session duration for security purposes

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide the Service: Enable account access and app functionality
  • Ensure Anonymity: Maintain the anonymous nature of Echo posting while preventing abuse
  • Improve the App: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and user experience
  • Communicate: Send essential account-related communications (security alerts, policy changes)
  • Safety and Security: Prevent misuse, spam, and maintain community guidelines
  • Crisis Prevention: Identify content requiring mental health resources or intervention

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We Do Not Sell Your Data

We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

Limited Sharing with Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the app:

  • Hosting Services: To store and serve app data
  • Analytics Providers: Google Analytics for usage insights
  • Email Services: For account-related communications
  • Security Services: To protect against abuse and maintain safety

All service providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:

  • Comply with legal obligations or court orders
  • Protect our rights, property, or safety
  • Protect the rights, property, or safety of our users
  • Investigate suspected illegal activities
  • Respond to emergency situations involving potential harm

5. Data Retention

Account Data

  • Active Accounts: Your email and account information are retained while your account remains active
  • Deleted Accounts: When you delete your account, your email and identifying information are permanently removed

Echo Content

  • Permanent Storage: All Echoes are stored permanently in our systems for the integrity of the platform and community interactions
  • Anonymous Nature: Echoes are never directly linked to your personal identity
  • Account Deletion: When you delete your account, your existing Echoes remain in the system but are permanently disconnected from any identifying information
  • Community Preservation: Echoes that have been "held" by other users remain available to preserve meaningful community interactions

Analytics Data

  • Usage and analytics data is retained for up to 26 months to help us improve the service
  • This data is aggregated and anonymized

6. Security Measures

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information:

  • Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit and at rest
  • Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal information
  • Regular Audits: Security practices are regularly reviewed and updated
  • Anonymous Design: The app is designed to minimize collection of identifying information

However, no internet-based service can guarantee 100% security. We cannot ensure absolute security of information transmitted to or stored on our systems.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Account Management

  • Account Deletion: You may delete your account at any time through the app settings or by contacting us
  • Data Removal: Upon account deletion, your email and identifying information are permanently removed
  • Echo Disconnection: Your Echoes will remain in the system but permanently disconnected from your identity

Communication Preferences

  • Essential Communications: You will receive necessary account and security-related emails
  • Opt-out: You may opt out of non-essential communications

Access and Questions

  • Data Inquiries: Contact us with questions about what data we have collected
  • Support: Reach out with any privacy concerns or questions

8. International Users

If you are accessing our service from outside the United States, please note that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will:

  • Post the updated policy on our website
  • Update the "Effective Date" at the top
  • For significant changes, provide additional notice through the app or email

Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Children's Privacy

This service is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete that information.

For more details, see our Child Safety Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:

Email: support@echoesfromtheether.com
Privacy Questions: support@echoesfromtheether.com
Data Deletion Requests: https://echoesfromtheether.com/delete-account/