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PRIVACY POLICY
# Ghost Chatter Privacy Policy
**Last Updated: March 5th, 2026**
## Introduction
Ghost Chatter ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your data when you use our ghost hunting companion app (iOS and Android).
**YouTube API Services.** Ghost Chatter on iOS and Android uses YouTube API Services (e.g., for live streaming and live chat). By using those features, you are also subject to the [Google Privacy Policy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy). Use of YouTube API Services is subject to the [YouTube Terms of Service](https://www.youtube.com/t/terms).
## Information We Collect
### Data We Collect and Process
We collect and process the following data:
#### User Account Information
- **Username**: Automatically generated usernames or custom usernames you choose
- **Email Address**: Required for custom usernames to enable account recovery
- **User ID**: Unique identifier generated for your account
- **Account Creation Date**: When you first used the app
- **Verification Status**: Whether your account has been verified
#### Session and Usage Data
- **Session History**: Questions asked, timestamps, session duration, and responses
- **Session Types**: Estes, Isolation, Spirit Box, and other session modes used
- **Equipment Usage**: Custom equipment configurations and usage tracking
- **Voice Preferences**: Selected voices and voice settings
- **App Usage Statistics**: Session completion rates, time spent in app, features used
#### Game and Progress Data
- **Leveling Information**: Current level, experience points, progress to next level
- **Achievements and Badges**: Unlocked achievements, badge selections, progress tracking
- **Leaderboard Data**: Scores, rankings, and competitive statistics
- **Challenge Progress**: Daily, weekly, and ongoing challenge completions
#### Technical Data
- **Device Information**: Device ID for account security and username recovery
- **App Settings**: Theme preferences, notification settings, audio preferences
- **Cache Data**: Voice cache for offline use, question cache
- **Session Logs**: Detailed session information for personal reference
#### Premium Features Data
- **Premium Status**: Whether you have premium features enabled
- **Voice Usage**: Premium voice selections and usage patterns
- **Trial Information**: Premium trial start/end dates and usage
#### YouTube API Services Data (when you use live streaming or live chat)
- **Google/YouTube account**: We use YouTube API Services to create and manage live broadcasts, stream video to your YouTube channel, and display and moderate live chat. We do not store your YouTube password; authentication is handled by Google via OAuth. We may store your channel ID, channel name, and access tokens on your device to provide these features. This data is used only to operate the YouTube-related features and is subject to the [Google Privacy Policy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy).
### Data We Do NOT Collect
We do not collect:
- Personal identification information (beyond username and email)
- Location data
- Audio recordings (unless you explicitly record and save them)
- Photos or videos (unless you explicitly record and save them)
- Contact information beyond email for account recovery
- Payment information (handled by Apple/Google)
## How We Use Your Data
### Primary Uses
Your data is used to:
- **Save Session History**: Store your investigation sessions, questions, and responses locally
- **Remember Preferences**: Voice settings, equipment configurations, theme choices
- **Track Progress**: Level progression, achievement unlocking, challenge completion
- **Enable Features**: Premium voice access, custom username recovery, leaderboard participation
- **Improve App Functionality**: Identify popular features and usage patterns
- **Provide Support**: Help with account recovery and technical issues
- **YouTube Features**: When you use live streaming or live chat, we use and process your YouTube-related data (e.g., channel info, broadcast and chat data) only to provide those features. We do not sell this data. Data is shared with Google/YouTube only as necessary to operate the YouTube API Services (e.g., creating broadcasts, sending chat messages). We do not share your YouTube data with other third parties for their marketing or other purposes.
### Data Storage and Security
#### Local Storage
- **Session Data**: Stored locally on your device using UserDefaults
- **Voice Cache**: Stored securely on your device for offline use
- **User Preferences**: All settings and preferences stored locally
- **Achievement Data**: Progress and unlock status stored locally
#### Cloud Storage (Firebase)
- **Leaderboard Data**: Username, score, level, and ranking information
- **Username Reservations**: Custom usernames and associated email addresses
- **Account Recovery**: Email addresses and recovery codes for custom usernames
- **Verification Status**: Account verification information
#### Security Measures
- All data transmitted to cloud services uses encrypted connections (HTTPS)
- Firebase authentication and security rules protect cloud data
- Local data is protected by your device security (iOS and Android)
- Recovery codes are generated securely and stored temporarily
### Storage and Access on Your Device
This app stores and accesses data on your device, including: saved preferences, session history, cached content (e.g., voice cache), and—when you use YouTube features—tokens and channel information necessary for YouTube API Services. We do not use cookies in a browser sense; the app may use local storage (e.g., UserDefaults, keychain, and device storage) and may allow third-party services (such as Google for YouTube sign-in and Firebase for cloud features) to place or access identifiers and similar technology as part of their normal operation. For more detail on Google's practices, see the [Google Privacy Policy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy).
## Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services:
### Google (YouTube API Services, Firebase)
- **Purpose**: YouTube API Services (live streaming, live chat), and Firebase for cloud storage (leaderboard, username management, account recovery)
- **Data Processed**: For YouTube: channel info, broadcast/stream data, live chat; for Firebase: username, score, level, email (for recovery), device ID
- **Privacy Policy**: [Google Privacy Policy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy); [Firebase Privacy Policy](https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy)
### Apple Services
- **StoreKit**: In-app purchases and premium features
- **UserDefaults**: Local data storage
- **Privacy Policy**: [Apple Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/)
### ElevenLabs
- **Purpose**: Premium AI voices for enhanced experience
- **Data Processed**: Text-to-speech requests (questions and responses)
- **Privacy Policy**: [ElevenLabs Privacy Policy](https://elevenlabs.io/privacy)
### Radio Browser API
- **Purpose**: Spirit Box radio station data
- **Data Processed**: Radio station information and streaming data
- **Privacy Policy**: [Radio Browser Privacy Policy](https://api.radio-browser.info/)
Each third-party service has its own privacy policy and data handling practices.
## Your Rights and Controls
### Data Access and Control
You have the right to:
- **Access Your Data**: View all stored session data and preferences in the app
- **Delete Session History**: Clear individual sessions or all session data
- **Clear Cache**: Remove voice cache and other cached data
- **Update Information**: Change username, email, and preferences
- **Export Data**: Request a copy of your data (contact support)
### Privacy Controls
- **Account Recovery**: Enable/disable email-based recovery for custom usernames
- **Leaderboard Participation**: Opt out of leaderboard visibility
- **Premium Features**: Control premium feature usage and data collection
- **Notifications**: Manage notification preferences
### Data Deletion
- **Local Data**: Clear all app data through your device settings (e.g., iOS: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Ghost Chatter > Delete App; Android: Settings > Apps > Ghost Chatter > Storage > Clear data, or uninstall the app)
- **Cloud Data**: Contact support to request deletion of cloud-stored data (info@ghostchatterapp.com)
- **Account Deletion**: Request complete account deletion (contact support at info@ghostchatterapp.com)
- **YouTube/Google Data**: To revoke Ghost Chatter's access to your YouTube/Google account and delete our app's access to your authorized data, go to [Google Account – Third-party apps with account access](https://myaccount.google.com/connections?filters=3,4&hl=en), find Ghost Chatter (or the app name used for the OAuth client), and remove access. You can also delete your data from our app by signing out of YouTube in the app and/or uninstalling the app; revoking access in Google security settings ensures we can no longer access your YouTube data.
## Children's Privacy
Our app is not intended for children under 13 years of age, and 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.
## Data Retention
### Local Data
- **Session Data**: Stored locally until manually deleted or app uninstalled
- **Cache Data**: Automatically managed with size limits (2GB for voice cache)
- **Preferences**: Stored until changed or app uninstalled
### Cloud Data
- **Leaderboard Data**: Retained for leaderboard functionality
- **Username Reservations**: Retained for account recovery
- **Account Information**: Retained for app functionality
### Deletion Timeline
- Immediate deletion for local data when requested
- Cloud data deletion within 30 days of request
- Backup data purged within 60 days
## International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers in accordance with applicable laws.
## Changes to Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Posting the updated policy in the app
- Updating the "Last Updated" date
- Sending notifications for significant changes (if you have notifications enabled)
## Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
**Email**: info@ghostchatterapp.com
**Response Time**: We aim to respond to privacy-related inquiries within 48 hours.
## Legal Basis for Processing (EU Users)
If you are in the European Union, our legal basis for processing your personal data includes:
- **Consent**: For optional features and data collection
- **Contract Performance**: For core app functionality and services
- **Legitimate Interest**: For app improvement and security
- **Legal Obligation**: For compliance with applicable laws
## California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
- Right to say no to the sale of personal information
- Right to access your personal information
- Right to equal service and price
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@ghostchatterapp.com.