Privacy Policy

1 Information We Collect

Depending on the features you use, VSChat may process the following information.

a) Account and authentication information

VSChat uses Firebase Authentication to provide phone-number-based sign-in using a one-time password (OTP). We may process:

• Phone number
• Authentication identifiers associated with your account
• Name or display name, if you provide one
• Profile picture, if you choose to upload one
• Other account information you voluntarily provide

Your phone number is used to create and authenticate your account. We do not use it for purposes unrelated to authentication and securing the app's communication features.

b) Messages and communication data

When you use VSChat's messaging features, we may process text messages, group chat messages, message timestamps, delivery and read status, reactions and replies, and any media or files you share through chats — all to provide messaging functionality.

c) Contacts

VSChat may request access to the contacts stored on your device to help you find and message people who use VSChat. We do not store your device's contact list on our servers — contact information is processed temporarily for this purpose only. You can deny or revoke contact permission in your device settings, though some contact-related features may stop working.

d) Camera

VSChat may request camera access for taking profile pictures, taking and sharing photos or videos, and video calls. Camera access is only used when a feature that needs it is active or when you grant permission.

e) Microphone

VSChat may request microphone access for voice calls, video calls, and other features that require audio input.

f) Photos, videos, documents, and other media

Media you choose to upload or share is stored using Cloudflare's storage services so it can be uploaded, delivered, and accessed as part of the app's functionality. What you upload is entirely determined by your own actions in the app.

g) Push notification information

VSChat uses Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) to deliver push notifications, which may involve your device's notification token and related delivery or technical information. Notifications cover things like new messages, incoming calls, and group activity. You can disable notifications in your device settings.

h) Voice and video call information

VSChat uses Agora to power voice and video calls. During a call, Agora may process audio data, video data, and the device and network information needed to establish and maintain the call.

i) Device and technical information

We may process technical information needed to operate, secure, and maintain VSChat — device type and model, operating system, app version, network information, IP address, technical logs, and crash or error data — to diagnose problems, improve stability, and protect the app from misuse.

2 How We Use Your Information

We may use the information described above to:

• Create and manage your VSChat account
• Authenticate users using Firebase OTP
• Provide direct and group messaging, and deliver messages and media
• Enable sharing of photos, videos, and documents
• Process contacts temporarily for contact-related functionality
• Provide voice and video calls through Agora
• Send push notifications through Firebase Cloud Messaging
• Store and deliver uploaded media through Cloudflare storage services
• Maintain and improve the app, and diagnose crashes and technical problems
• Protect the app against fraud, abuse, unauthorized access, and misuse
• Comply with applicable legal obligations

We do not use your device contacts as a permanent contact database.

3 How Information Is Shared

We share information with third-party service providers only where necessary to provide VSChat's functionality.

a) Firebase

Used for phone-number OTP authentication and, via Firebase Cloud Messaging, push notifications.

b) Cloudflare

Used to store and deliver media and files uploaded through the app.

c) Agora

Processes audio, video, and technical information when you participate in a voice or video call.

d) Other users

Information you intentionally share through VSChat may be visible to other users — for example, messages to recipients, group messages to group members, profile information according to the app's functionality, and any media you share with the intended recipients. Avoid sharing information you don't want other users to see.

e) Legal requirements

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with applicable laws or legal processes, respond to valid legal requests, protect the rights, safety, or property of VSChat and our users, or investigate fraud, abuse, or security incidents.

f) Business transfers

If VSChat is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law.

4 Data Storage and Retention

We retain information only as long as reasonably necessary to provide our services, maintain security, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

• Account information — retained while your account is active.
• Messages and media — retained as necessary to provide messaging and media-sharing, and stored via Cloudflare.
• Contacts — not stored as a database; processed temporarily only.
• Technical information — logs may be kept for security, troubleshooting, fraud prevention, and legal compliance.

If you delete your account or submit a valid deletion request, we take reasonable steps to delete or anonymize your personal information, subject to what we're required or permitted to retain by law or for legitimate security purposes.

5 Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information processed through VSChat from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss, or misuse. That said, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. You're also responsible for securing your device and your VSChat account.

6 Your Choices and Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information, request details about how it's processed, withdraw consent where processing relies on it, or object to or restrict certain processing.

You can also control permissions directly on your device — disabling contact access, camera access, microphone access, or push notifications — though this may limit some features.

To submit a privacy-related request, use the contact details in Section 9.

7 Children's Privacy

VSChat is not intended for children under the minimum age required by applicable law, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children where such collection is prohibited without the required parental or guardian consent. If we learn that we've collected information from a child in circumstances that weren't permitted, we'll take reasonable steps to delete it. If you believe a child has provided information to VSChat improperly, please contact us below.

8 Third-Party Services

VSChat relies on the following third-party services to provide its functionality:

• Firebase Authentication — phone-number OTP authentication
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) — push notifications
• Cloudflare — storage and delivery of uploaded media and files
• Agora — voice and video calling

These providers process information according to their own privacy policies and terms. VSChat isn't responsible for their independent privacy practices, and we recommend reviewing their policies directly.

9 Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, contact us at:

10 Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to VSChat, our services, applicable laws, or our data practices. When we do, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review it periodically.

11 Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by and interpreted in accordance with the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which the owner or operator of VSChat operates, unless otherwise required by applicable law.