Privacy Policy — HerDate

We collect only what we need to run a dating app — profile info, messages, and call metadata. We use Google Sign-In (no passwords stored by us). We do not sell your personal data. Your sexual orientation and identity are sensitive — we treat them with care.

HerDate (“we”, “us”, or “our”) operates a dating platform for lesbian, bisexual, queer, and other women who love women (WLW), aged 18 and over, through our website at gydate.com and the HerDate mobile application. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.

By creating an account or using HerDate, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service. Related documents: Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, Cookie Policy, and Safety Center.

1. Who we are

HerDate is the product name for our dating Service. Support and privacy requests are handled at support@winkmeet.com. The public website is hosted at gydate.com; the Android app is published as com.herdate.dating.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use HerDate, we may collect:

Account & authentication

Google Sign-In data: account ID, display name, email address, and profile photo URL, as permitted by Google OAuth.
Age confirmation and legal consent acknowledgements (Terms, Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and confirmation that you are 18+).

Profile information you provide

Name or display name, age, bio, and photos you upload.
Location details you choose (country, state, city).
Preferences and profile fields you select (for example interests or looking-for options shown in the app).
Premium / subscription status.

Communications

In-app messages: text, images you send, timestamps, read receipts, and chat metadata needed to deliver and moderate conversations.
Audio calls: call IDs, participant IDs, status, and timestamps. We do not record call audio on our servers.
Support emails and reports you submit (including block/report reasons).

Device, usage & technical data

Online status, device type, app version, approximate IP address, crash logs, and push notification tokens.
App interactions needed for discovery, safety, and performance (for example views, favorites, and feature usage).
Website cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy.

Payments

Subscription status and purchase confirmations from Google Play and/or Stripe. We do not store full card numbers on HerDate servers.

3. Sensitive personal data

Dating apps necessarily involve information about sexual orientation, relationship preferences, and sometimes gender identity. In many places this is treated as sensitive personal data. We process this information to provide matching and community features you request, to enforce our rules, and to keep the Service safe for WLW users.

We do not sell this information to advertisers or data brokers.
Profile visibility and discovery are part of how the product works — only share what you are comfortable showing other members.
If you are not fully out, use discreet features (app lock, alternate home-screen labels) and be careful what you put in your public profile. See Discreet use features and our Safety Center.

4. How we use your information

We use your data to:

Create and manage your account and profile.
Enable discovery, matching, messaging, and optional audio calls.
Process premium subscriptions and prevent payment fraud.
Send push notifications you enable (for example new messages).
Enforce Community Guidelines, investigate reports, and protect users from harassment, scams, and illegal content.
Improve reliability, fix bugs, and measure feature performance.
Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.
Send important service notices (account, safety, or policy changes). We do not send spam marketing by default.

5. Google API Services

HerDate’s use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including Limited Use requirements. We only use Google account data to authenticate you and provide features you request — not for selling to data brokers or for unrelated advertising.

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only as needed to operate HerDate:

Google / Firebase — authentication, database, push notifications, and related infrastructure.
Agora — real-time audio calling infrastructure.
Stripe and Google Play Billing — subscription payments.
Supabase — image / media storage for profile and chat photos.
Google Mobile Ads — where ads or rewarded unlocks are shown in the app (see Advertising below).
Law enforcement or regulators — when required by law, or to protect the safety of users (for example credible threats, underage use, or illegal content).
Other users — profile information and messages you choose to share are visible to the people you interact with on HerDate.

Our providers process data under their own terms and privacy policies. We require them to use personal data only to provide services to us.

7. Advertising

The free version of HerDate may show ads or offer rewarded unlocks through Google Mobile Ads. Ad networks may collect device and usage identifiers according to their policies and your device settings. Premium subscriptions may reduce or remove certain ads depending on the plan shown in the app. We do not sell your profile content or chat messages to advertisers.

8. Security

We use encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS), access controls, and platform security rules (including Firebase security rules) to protect data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. You can help by:

Securing your Google account (strong password, 2-step verification).
Enabling app lock (biometrics or PIN) where available.
Not sharing screenshots of private chats or others’ photos without consent.

If you believe your account is compromised, email support@winkmeet.com immediately.

9. Retention & deletion

We retain personal data while your account is active. When you delete your account, we begin removing profile data, photos, and messages. In the app, account deletion may include a short recovery window (currently up to 7 days) before permanent deletion proceeds. After deletion is finalized, we aim to remove personal data from active systems within 30 days, except where we must keep limited records longer for legal, security, or dispute-resolution reasons (for example ban records or payment receipts).

Prefer deleting in the app: Profile → Settings → Delete Account (7-day recovery window, then permanent deletion). Full steps: Delete Account. If you cannot open the app, email support@winkmeet.com from your registered address with subject “Delete Account — [your HerDate email]”.

10. Your rights & choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your personal data; to object to or restrict certain processing; or to withdraw consent. You can:

Edit or remove profile fields and photos in the app.
Block users and control who can message you through in-app tools.
Turn off push notifications in device settings.
Delete your account in the app: Profile → Settings → Delete Account (see Delete Account).
Request a copy of your data by emailing support@winkmeet.com with subject “Privacy Request — [your HerDate email]”.

We aim to respond to verified requests within 30 days.

11. Discreet use features

We know LGBTQ+ users may need extra privacy — for example if you are not out at home or work. HerDate may offer:

App lock with biometrics or PIN.
Discreet home-screen display names (for example Calendar or Notes aliases) so the app is less obvious on your device.

These features help reduce accidental disclosure but cannot guarantee secrecy. Screenshots, shared devices, and notifications can still reveal use of the app. Always use caution appropriate to your situation.

12. Minors

HerDate is strictly for adults aged 18+. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor is using the Service, report them in the app and email support@winkmeet.com. We will investigate and remove underage accounts.

13. International transfers

Our service providers may process data in India, the United States, or other countries. Where data is transferred across borders, we rely on appropriate safeguards offered by our providers and applicable law. By using HerDate, you understand that your information may be processed outside your country of residence.

14. Policy changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Material changes may also be highlighted in the app or by email. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. If we need you to re-accept terms, the app may prompt you.

15. Contact us

For privacy questions, data requests, or concerns about how we handle LGBTQ+-related information:

Email support@winkmeet.com
Subject line: “Privacy Request — [your HerDate email]”

For safety threats involving imminent harm, contact local emergency services (112 in India) in addition to reporting to us. See our Safety Center for more guidance.