Stargaze ("we," "our," or "us") operates the Stargaze mobile application (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information when you use our Service.

By downloading, installing, or using the Stargaze app, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Service.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: Phone number (mandatory), name, email address (optional), and profile photo.
• Ceremony & Event Data: Details about ceremonies, events, guests, RSVPs, and related content you create or manage.
• User-Generated Content: Photos, videos, wishes, comments, and other media you upload or share within the app.
• Contact Information: With your explicit permission, we may access your device's contacts to help you invite guests.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.
• Usage Data: How you interact with the app, including pages visited, features used, and actions taken.
• Push Notification Tokens: Device tokens for delivering push notifications via Firebase Cloud Messaging.

1.3 Permissions We Request

The app requests the following device permissions to deliver its features:

Permission	Purpose
Camera	To capture photos and videos for ceremonies and events
Contacts	To import guest lists from your phone contacts (with explicit consent)
Storage (Read/Write)	To save and retrieve media files on your device
Microphone	To record audio for voice wishes and video recording
Phone	To enable direct calling of guests from the app
Internet	To communicate with our servers and deliver app content

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Account Management: To create and manage your account, verify your identity via OTP, and authenticate sessions.
• Service Delivery: To provide ceremony/event management, guest list management, RSVP tracking, media sharing, and related features.
• Communication: To send push notifications about events, RSVPs, and updates relevant to your ceremonies.
• Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve the app's user experience, performance, and features.
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or abuse.

3. Third-Party Services

Our app integrates with the following third-party services, each governed by their own privacy policies:

• Firebase (Google): We use Firebase Core and Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications. Firebase may collect certain device identifiers and usage data. Firebase Privacy Policy
• Google Fonts: We use Google Fonts for typography rendering. Google Privacy Policy

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to any third parties. We do not share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.

4. Data Storage & Security

We take the security of your data seriously and implement the following measures:

• Encryption: Sensitive personal data such as phone numbers and email addresses are encrypted using industry-standard AES-256 encryption before being stored in our database.
• Password Protection: Passwords are securely hashed using BCrypt and are never stored in plain text.
• Secure Communication: All data transmissions between the app and our servers use HTTPS/TLS encryption.
• Access Controls: Access to user data is restricted to authorized personnel only and protected with JWT-based authentication.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We may disclose your personal information only in the following circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you share media, wishes, or event content with other users in a ceremony, that content becomes visible to the ceremony host and invited guests.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Stargaze, our users, or the public.
• Service Providers: With trusted service providers who assist us in operating the app (e.g., cloud hosting, push notification delivery), subject to confidentiality agreements.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law. Specifically:

• Account information is retained as long as your account is active.
• Ceremony and event data may be retained for a reasonable period after an event concludes to allow hosts and guests to access memories.
• You may request deletion of your data at any time (see Section 7).

7. Your Rights & Data Deletion

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: You can request a copy of your personal data held by us.
• Correction: You can update or correct your profile information directly within the app.
• Deletion: You can request the deletion of your account and all associated personal data by contacting us at support@thestargaze.in. We will process your request within 30 days.
• Withdrawal of Consent: You may revoke permissions (e.g., camera, contacts) at any time through your device settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you are a parent or guardian and you believe your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us at support@thestargaze.in.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside your jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to our servers, which may be in a different country with different data protection laws.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy within the app or on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: support@thestargaze.in
• Website: https://thestargaze.in