Last Updated: 27 Jun 2025

1. Introduction

The SQUAD team ("we," "us," or "our") operates SQUAD (the "Service"), which includes both the parent application and child application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Service.

IMPORTANT: This Service is designed for families with children under 18. We take children's privacy seriously and comply with applicable children's privacy laws.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Child Account Information

• Profile Information: Username, DOB, and basic settings

• Content: Posts, messages, images, videos, and audio content shared through the Service

• Usage Data: App usage patterns, feature interactions, and time spent

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers

• Location Data: General location information for safety features (with explicit consent)

2.2 Parent Account Information

• Contact Information: Email address for account verification

• Payment Information: Billing details for subscription services (processed by third-party payment processors)

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

• Technical Data: IP addresses, browser type, device specifications

• Analytics Data: App performance, crash reports, usage statistics

• Security Data: Information collected for fraud prevention and security

3. How We Use Information

3.1 Primary Purposes

• Safety & Moderation: Content moderation using AI services to ensure child safety

• Parental Controls: Enabling parents to monitor and control their child's app usage

• Service Functionality: Providing core app features and user experience

• Communication: Sending important safety alerts and service updates

3.2 Secondary Purposes

• Improvement: Analysing usage to improve safety features and user experience

• Legal Compliance: Meeting legal obligations and protecting rights

• Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, or security threats

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 We Share Information With:

• Content Moderation Services: Third-party AI moderation services (Hive) to ensure content safety

• Cloud Storage Providers: Secure cloud services for data storage and backup

• Analytics Providers: Anonymous usage analytics to improve the Service

• Payment Processors: For subscription billing (they do not store payment information)

4.2 We Do NOT:

• Sell personal information to third parties

• Share children's personal information for advertising purposes

• Allow third-party advertising or tracking on the platform

• Share information except as described in this policy or with explicit consent

4.3 Legal Disclosure

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect safety, including:

• Child safety investigations

• Legal proceedings

• Emergency situations involving imminent harm

5. Content Moderation and AI Processing

The Service uses AI moderation technology to:

• Detect Harmful Content: Automatically identify inappropriate text, images, videos, and audio

• Prevent Cyberbullying: Flag potential bullying and harassment

• Block AI-Generated Content: Identify artificially created content that may promote unrealistic standards

• Real-Time Monitoring: Provide immediate safety alerts to parents

Content processed by AI services is analysed for safety only and is not used for advertising or other commercial purposes.

6. Data Storage and Security

6.1 Security Measures

• Secure cloud storage with industry-standard security

• Limited access on a need-to-know basis

• Regular security monitoring

• Encryption of sensitive data

6.2 Data Retention

• Child Data: Retained only as long as necessary for safety and service provision

• Parent Data: Retained for account duration plus legal retention requirements

• Content: Automatically deleted based on parent-configured settings

• Moderation Data: Retained for safety pattern analysis and legal compliance

7. Children's Privacy Rights

7.1 Parental Controls

Parents have the right to:

• Review their child's personal information

• Request deletion of their child's data

• Control what information is collected

• Receive notifications about data practices

7.2 Child Rights (where applicable by law)

Children may have rights to:

• Access their personal information

• Request correction of inaccurate data

• Request deletion of their data

• Understand how their data is used

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights including:

• Access: Request copies of personal information

• Correction: Update inaccurate information

• Deletion: Request removal of personal information

• Portability: Receive data in a portable format

• Objection: Object to certain processing activities

• Withdrawal: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@squadapp.org.uk.

9. Regional Compliance

9.1 United States (COPPA)

• We do not collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent

• Parents can review, delete, or refuse further collection of their child's information

9.2 European Union (GDPR)

• Lawful basis for processing is provided

• Right to lodge complaints with supervisory authorities

9.3 Other Jurisdictions

We comply with applicable privacy laws in all jurisdictions where we operate.

10. Third-Party Services

The Service integrates with:

• Hive Moderation: AI content moderation (data processed for safety only)

• Cloud Storage Providers: Secure data storage

• Payment Processors: Subscription billing

• Analytics Services: Anonymous usage analytics

These services have their own privacy policies and we encourage you to review them.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will:

• Notify users of material changes via email or in-app notification

• Post the updated policy with a new "Last Updated" date

• For children's data, obtain fresh parental consent if required by law

12. Contact Information

Privacy Questions: privacy@squadapp.org.uk

General Questions: founders@squadapp.org.uk.

13. Emergency Contacts

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services immediately. For non-emergency safety concerns related to the Service, contact safety@squad.org.uk.

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with major international privacy laws. As a development team, we are committed to protecting your privacy and will update this policy as needed to maintain compliance.