Privacy Policy for FreeChat

Last updated: September 26, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how SmartWay (“Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information about you when you use our mobile application FreeChat (“Service” or “App”). By using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of data:

Account Information: Name or username, email address, phone number (if provided), and profile photo (if you choose to add one)
Location Data: Your device’s precise or approximate location, collected only with your permission, to show you people nearby on the map and to show you to nearby users
Messages and Content: Messages, photos, and other content you send or share in chats and groups
Camera & Microphone Access: Used only with your permission, for features such as voice or video calls and sharing photos
Device Information: IP address, device ID, operating system, and app version
Usage Data: App interactions, session activity, call duration, and crash reports

2. Use of Information

We use this data to:

Provide and maintain the App, including your account and your contacts
Show nearby users on the map and connect you with people around you
Deliver your messages and enable calls between users
Detect, prevent, and respond to abuse, fraud, spam, and violations of our Terms of Use
Analyze usage and crashes to improve the App’s performance and user experience
Send service notifications related to your account and conversations

3. Location Data

Location is used only after you grant permission on your device.
Other users may see your approximate position or distance on the map. Your exact home address is never displayed.
You can turn off location access at any time in your device settings. Some features, such as nearby discovery, will then no longer work.

4. Analytics and Third-Party Services

We rely on trusted third-party service providers to operate the App, such as Google Firebase (authentication, data hosting, notifications, analytics, and crash reporting) and Google Maps (map display). Where the App displays advertising, it may use Google AdMob, which can collect device identifiers to serve and measure ads. These providers process data according to their own privacy policies:

To opt out of Google Analytics: Visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. You can also reset or limit your advertising ID in your Android device settings.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We share data only:

With other users, as needed for the App to work (for example, your profile, messages, and nearby position)
With service providers that help us operate the App, under confidentiality obligations
With authorities, when required by law or to protect the safety of users, especially children

6. Your Privacy Rights

California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

Know what personal data we collect
Request deletion of your personal data
Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal data (we do not sell your data)
Correct inaccurate personal information

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are in the EEA or UK, you have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to the processing of your data, to request a portable copy of it, to withdraw consent at any time, and to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at smart.waydevapp@gmail.com.

7. Account and Data Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by emailing smart.waydevapp@gmail.com with the subject “Delete my FreeChat account” from the email address linked to your account. We delete your account, profile, and location data within 30 days. Some data may be kept longer only where required by law or to handle reported abuse.

8. Data Retention

We keep your data only as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

9. Security

Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS), and we use commercially reasonable safeguards to protect it. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

10. Children’s Privacy

FreeChat is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we delete it. Please also read our Child Safety Policy.

11. Moderation and Reporting

FreeChat includes tools to help protect users:

Users can report abusive accounts, messages, or calls.
Users can block unwanted contacts.
Reports are reviewed manually by our moderation team.
Actions may include warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes are posted on this page with a new “Last updated” date.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at: smart.waydevapp@gmail.com