Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Hotpot (the “App”) collects, uses, and protects your information. By using the App, you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information We Collect

Account: your email address (email code sign-in), or the account identifier provided when you sign in with Apple or Google. Apple may provide a private relay email address.

Profile (all optional): username, avatar, bio, gender, birthday, region, occupation, and education.

Content you create: posts, comments, uploaded images, votes, and the communities you create or join.

Messages: the content of your private and group chat messages.

Usage & device: post view counts and activity timestamps; a push notification token (via Expo) and device/OS information needed to deliver notifications.

Safety: the reports and blocks you submit.

2. How We Use Information

• To provide and maintain core features (posts, comments, communities, chat);
• To authenticate you and keep your account secure;
• To deliver relevant push notifications (e.g., new messages, posts from people you follow);
• To handle reports and blocks and keep the community safe;
• To diagnose problems and improve the product.

3. Sharing & Third Parties

We do not sell your personal information. Content you post publicly is visible to other users. We use the following third-party services to operate the App:

• Supabase — database, storage, and authentication (hosting);
• Expo — push notification delivery;
• Apple / Google — third-party sign-in;
• Resend — sending login code emails.

We may also disclose information where required by law.

4. Data Retention & Deletion

We retain your information while your account is active. You can delete your account at any time via Me → Settings → Delete Account; your profile, posts, comments, messages, and related data are permanently removed.

5. Your Rights

You can view and edit your profile, delete content you posted, or delete your entire account at any time. For other requests, contact us at the email below.

6. Children

The App is not directed to children under the minimum age required in your region. If you believe an underage child has provided us information, please contact us to remove it.

7. Security & Data Location

We take reasonable measures to protect your information. Data is stored on our provider’s (Supabase) servers, which may be located outside your country. No system is perfectly secure.

8. Changes

We may update this policy from time to time; the “Last updated” date above will reflect changes.

9. Contact

Questions? Contact us at social.hotpot@gmail.com.