ABSA Privacy Policy

**Effective Date:** January 18, 2026

**Last Updated:** January 18, 2026

Introduction

ABSA ("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 the ABSA mobile application (the "App"). By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

1. Information You Provide Directly

# Account Information

- **Email address**: Required for account creation and authentication

- **Full name**: Optional display name for your profile

- **Profile picture/avatar**: Optional image you upload to represent yourself

- **Chapter affiliation**: Your selected ABSA chapter membership

- **Role within chapter**: Your position (e.g., president, member, etc.)

# User-Generated Content

- **Messages**: Text messages, images, documents, and audio files sent in chat channels and direct messages

- **Event information**: Details about events you create or modify

- **Task information**: Tasks you create, assign, or complete

- **RSVP responses**: Your responses to event invitations

2. Information Collected Automatically

# Device Information

- **Device type and model**

- **Operating system version**

- **App version**

- **Device identifiers** (e.g., unique device ID)

- **IP address**

- **Timezone and language settings**

# Location Information

- **Approximate location**: Used to sort chapters by distance from your location

- **Precise location**: Only collected when you explicitly grant permission for specific features

# Usage Information

- **App usage patterns**: How you interact with the app

- **Feature usage**: Which features you use and how frequently

- **Crash reports and performance data**

- **Push notification tokens** (for delivering notifications)

# Camera and Media Access

- **QR code scanning**: Camera access is required for event check-in functionality

- **Photo library access**: For uploading profile pictures and sharing images in chats

3. Information from Third Parties

# Authentication Providers

- **Google Sign-In**: If you sign in with Google, we receive your Google account information (name, email, profile picture)

- **Apple Sign-In**: If you sign in with Apple, we receive your Apple account information (name, email)

# Google Calendar Integration

- **Calendar events**: When you connect Google Calendar, we access your calendar events for event synchronization

- **Calendar permissions**: Read/write access to create and modify calendar events

How We Use Your Information

1. Providing Core App Functionality

- **Account management**: Creating and maintaining your account

- **Authentication**: Verifying your identity and securing your account

- **Profile management**: Displaying your profile information to other users

- **Communication**: Enabling messaging between users and groups

2. Social and Community Features

- **Chapter networking**: Connecting you with members of your chapter

- **Event coordination**: Managing RSVPs, attendance, and event check-ins

- **Task management**: Assigning and tracking tasks within chapters

- **Community building**: Facilitating interactions between ABSA members

3. Location-Based Services

- **Chapter discovery**: Sorting chapters by proximity to your location

- **Event localization**: Showing events relevant to your geographic area

4. App Performance and Improvement

- **Analytics**: Understanding how users interact with the app

- **Bug fixes**: Identifying and resolving technical issues

- **Feature development**: Improving existing features and developing new ones

- **Performance monitoring**: Ensuring the app runs smoothly

5. Communication and Notifications

- **Push notifications**: Sending alerts about messages, events, and tasks

- **In-app notifications**: Displaying updates within the app

- **Service communications**: Sending important updates about the app

6. Legal and Security Purposes

- **Compliance**: Meeting legal obligations

- **Fraud prevention**: Detecting and preventing fraudulent activity

- **Security**: Protecting against unauthorized access and breaches

Information Sharing and Disclosure

1. Information Shared with Other Users

- **Profile information**: Your name, profile picture, chapter affiliation, and role are visible to other ABSA members

- **Public messages**: Messages sent in group channels are visible to channel members

- **Event information**: Event details and RSVPs may be visible to chapter members

- **Task information**: Task assignments and progress may be visible to relevant chapter members

2. Third-Party Service Providers

We use the following third-party services to operate the app:

# Supabase

- **Database hosting**: Stores user data, messages, events, and other app content

- **File storage**: Hosts images, documents, and other media files

- **Authentication**: Manages user login and security

- **Real-time features**: Powers live chat and notifications

# Google Services

- **Google Sign-In**: For user authentication

- **Google Calendar**: For calendar integration and event synchronization

- **Firebase Cloud Messaging**: For push notifications

# Apple Services

- **Apple Sign-In**: For user authentication on iOS devices

- **Apple Push Notification Service**: For push notifications on iOS devices

3. Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

- Legal subpoenas or court orders

- Government requests

- Investigations of illegal activity

- Protection of rights, property, or safety

4. Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Data Retention

1. Account Data

- **Active accounts**: Retained as long as your account remains active

- **Inactive accounts**: May be deleted after prolonged inactivity (typically 2+ years)

- **Deleted accounts**: Data is permanently deleted within 30 days of account deletion

2. Message and Content Data

- **Chat messages**: Retained indefinitely unless deleted by users

- **Event data**: Retained for historical and organizational purposes

- **Task data**: Retained for chapter record-keeping

3. Analytics and Usage Data

- **Aggregated data**: Retained indefinitely for analytics purposes

- **Individual usage logs**: Typically retained for 2 years

International Data Transfers

The App is hosted on servers located in the United States. If you are accessing the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

Your Rights and Choices

1. Access and Control

- **Profile management**: Update your profile information through the app settings

- **Communication preferences**: Control notification settings in your device and app settings

- **Location permissions**: Manage location access through your device settings

2. Data Deletion

- **Account deletion**: Delete your account through the app or contact us

- **Content deletion**: Delete individual messages, posts, or content you created

- **Data export**: Request a copy of your data (subject to technical limitations)

3. Opt-Out Rights

- **Marketing communications**: Unsubscribe from any marketing emails

- **Push notifications**: Disable push notifications in your device settings

- **Location tracking**: Disable location services in your device settings

4. Data Portability

You have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.

Children's Privacy

The App is intended for use by members of ABSA, which typically includes college and university students. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

- **Encryption**: Data is encrypted in transit and at rest

- **Access controls**: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis

- **Regular security audits**: Ongoing monitoring and improvement of security practices

- **Secure authentication**: Multi-factor authentication options where available

Third-Party Links and Services

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to these third-party services. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

- Posting the new Privacy Policy within the app

- Sending you an email notification

- Displaying a prominent notice within the app

Your continued use of the App after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

**Email:** developer@alkisafoundation.org

**App Support:** Within the app settings, go to "Help & Support"

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations, including:

- **California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)**

- **General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)**

- **Apple App Store Review Guidelines**

- **Google Play Store Developer Program Policies**

- **Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)**

App Store Specific Disclosures

Apple App Store

- **Location Services**: Used to sort chapters by distance from your location

- **Camera Access**: Required for QR code scanning during event check-ins

- **Photo Library Access**: Used for uploading profile pictures and sharing media

- **Push Notifications**: Used for alerts about messages, events, and tasks

- **Apple Sign-In**: Used for secure authentication

Google Play Store

- **Location Permissions**: Approximate and precise location for chapter sorting

- **Camera Permission**: For QR code scanning functionality

- **Storage Permission**: For accessing photo library

- **Notification Permission**: For push notifications

- **Google Sign-In**: For authentication and account linking

Data Processing Agreement

By using the ABSA app, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.

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**ABSA**

American Black Student Association