Last updated: 2026-08-11
This Privacy Policy explains how Zupp ("Zupp", "we", "us", "our") and its operator, Mohamed Shili, collect, use, and protect your information when you use the Zupp mobile application (the "App") and our related website at https://zuppfriends.com (together, the "Services"). Zupp is available on Android (via Google Play) and iOS (via the App Store).
By creating an account or using the Services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you should not use the Services.
We take privacy and safety seriously, especially because Zupp is a social app where people can discover and connect with new friends.
The controller of your personal data for the purposes of this Privacy Policy is:
Zupp, operated by Mohamed Shili.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us at: zuppfriends.app@proton.me.
We collect different types of information when you use Zupp. Some of this information is provided directly by you, some is generated automatically when you use the App, and some may come from third-party services you connect.
Zupp requests permission to access certain features on your device to provide core functionality. The specific permissions and how they're presented differ between iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices.
Permissions We Request (Both Platforms):
Camera:
• Why: To take photos for your profile and to share in chats
• When: When you tap to take a photo
• Optional: You can deny this and still use the app by selecting existing photos instead
Photo Library/Storage:
• Why: To select existing photos from your device for your profile and to share in chats
• When: When you tap to select a photo from your library
• Optional: You can deny this and still use the app by taking new photos with the camera instead
Notifications:
• Why: To send you alerts about new messages, likes, connections, and other activity
• When: When you first open the app
• Optional: You can deny this and still use the app, but you won't receive notifications
Ad Tracking (iOS) / Advertising ID (Android):
• Why: To show personalized ads and measure ad performance
• When: iOS asks on first launch; Android doesn't require a prompt but allows opt-out in device settings
• Optional: You can deny/opt out and still use all features. See Section 5.1 for more details.
On iOS (iPhone/iPad):
When Zupp needs a permission, iOS will show a system dialog explaining what we're requesting and why. You can choose Allow or Don't Allow. You can always change permissions later by going to:
Settings > Zupp > (toggle each permission on or off)
On Android:
When Zupp needs a permission, Android will show a system dialog. You can choose Allow or Deny. On Android 11 and newer, you may see options like 'Allow only while using the app' or 'Allow this time'. You can change permissions later by going to:
Settings > Apps > Zupp > Permissions > (toggle each permission on or off)
Important:
• We only request permissions when they're needed for a specific feature
• You can use Zupp without granting all permissions, though some features may be limited
• We never access your camera, photos, or other device features without your explicit permission
• Denying permissions does not affect your ability to use core features like browsing profiles and chatting (you just can't share photos)
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
To keep Zupp safe for all users, we use automated systems to review certain content:
Profile Photos: When you upload a profile photo, it is automatically scanned using Google Cloud Vision API. This technology detects:
• Adult or sexual content
• Violence or graphic content
• Other content that violates our Community Guidelines
If inappropriate content is detected:
• The photo upload will be rejected immediately
• You will receive a message explaining the rejection
• Repeated violations (10 or more) will result in automatic account suspension
Face Detection in Profile Photos: As part of the same automated scan, we use Google Cloud Vision API's face detection to confirm that your profile photo shows one clearly visible human face. This is a photo-quality and authenticity check only. It works as follows:
• What is analyzed: the photo is checked, during the upload only, for the presence, number, and clarity of faces.
• What we collect and retain: nothing. The face detection result is used once, in real time, to accept or reject the photo, and is then discarded. We do not create, collect, store, or retain any face data, facial geometry, faceprints, biometric identifiers, or any other information derived from your face.
• No facial recognition: we do not identify you or anyone else from photos, and we do not compare faces across photos or users.
• Sharing: face detection results are not shared with anyone. The photo is processed by Google Cloud Vision API acting as our data processor solely to perform this scan during the upload; it is not used by us or by Google for any other purpose.
• If a photo is declined for a face-related reason (no clear face, or a group photo), the photo is not stored at all and this does not count as a Community Guidelines violation.
Chat Images: Photos shared in private chats are NOT automatically scanned. However, users can report inappropriate chat images, which will be reviewed by our moderation team.
All users can report content or behavior that violates our policies through the in-app reporting feature.
Depending on your location, we may rely on different legal bases to process your information, including:
• Performance of a contract: to provide the Services to you under our Terms of Service;
• Legitimate interests: to maintain and improve the Services, keep the platform safe, prevent fraud, and respond to your requests;
• Consent: for certain uses where required by law (for example, some types of analytics or advertising);
• Legal obligations: to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or court orders.
Zupp shows rewarded video ads through our advertising partner, Unity Ads. To provide relevant ads and measure their effectiveness, we and our advertising partners may track your activity and use advertising identifiers from your device.
What is tracked:
• Your device's advertising identifier (IDFA on iOS, Google Advertising ID on Android)
• Which ads you view and interact with
• How long you watch ads
• Whether you complete ads to earn rewards
• General device information (device type, OS version, app version)
Why we track:
• To show you ads that are more relevant to your interests
• To measure how effective ads are
• To prevent ad fraud
• To improve our advertising systems
On iOS (iPhone and iPad):
Apple requires us to ask for your permission before tracking your activity across other companies' apps and websites. When you first open Zupp, you'll see a permission prompt with two options:
• Allow Tracking: We can use your device's advertising identifier (IDFA) to show personalized ads and measure ad performance across apps
• Ask App Not to Track: We will not access your IDFA for cross-app tracking. You will still see ads, but they will be less personalized
You can change your iOS tracking preference at any time:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > Zupp (toggle on or off)
On Android:
Android devices have a Google Advertising ID that apps can use for advertising purposes. You can control how your Advertising ID is used:
• Opt out of Personalized Ads: Go to Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization. You will still see ads, but they will be less relevant to your interests
• Reset your Advertising ID: Go to Settings > Google > Ads > Reset advertising ID. This will give you a new ID, breaking the connection to your previous ad activity
• Delete your Advertising ID: On newer Android versions (12+), you can delete your Advertising ID entirely
Important:
• Opting out of tracking does NOT affect core Zupp features. You can still use all features, including earning gems by watching ads
• If you opt out, ads will still appear but will be generic rather than personalized
• We respect your tracking choices and will not attempt to identify you through other means if you opt out
Third-Party Advertising Partners:
Unity Ads and other advertising partners may collect and use data according to their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing:
• Unity Ads Privacy Policy: https://unity.com/legal/privacy-policy
• Unity Ads Data Processing: https://unity.com/legal/privacy-policy#data-processing
We keep your information only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Examples:
• Account and profile data are kept while your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable period, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Messages and interactions may be retained for a period after account deletion for safety, fraud prevention, and legal reasons.
• Face detection results are not retained at all: the check runs during photo upload only and no face data is ever stored (see Section 4.1).
• Logs, analytics, and backup copies may be kept for a limited time to ensure the security and reliability of the Services.
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have some or all of the following rights:
To exercise your rights, contact us at zuppfriends.app@proton.me. We may ask you to verify your identity before responding to your request.
Zupp is not intended for children under the minimum age required to use social networking apps in their country, and never for anyone under 16. If we learn that someone under this age has created an account, we may take steps to close the account and delete or anonymize their information where appropriate.
COPPA Compliance (United States): The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires that we obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 years old. Our minimum age requirement is 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under that age.
We verify age through self-certification during account creation. Users are required to enter their date of birth and confirm that the information is accurate. Users who provide false age information to bypass our age restrictions are subject to permanent account termination.
For Users Aged 16-17: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you should review this Privacy Policy with your parent or legal guardian. Minors are placed in a separate, teens-only community: they are never shown to adult users in discovery and cannot interact with them. We recommend that parents and guardians familiarize themselves with our Safety Center and Parent Guide resources available on our website.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe someone under 16 has created an account on Zupp, please contact us immediately at zuppfriends.app@proton.me with 'Child Safety' in the subject line. We will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include account deletion and removal of all associated data.
For parents of teens: Our app includes age-appropriate protections for teenage users. Please visit our Parent Guide at https://www.zuppfriends.com/parent-guide to learn more about how we protect teen users.
We use technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information, such as encryption in transit, access controls, logging, and rate limiting on sensitive operations like reporting and blocking.
However, no online service can be 100% secure. You are responsible for keeping your device secure and for not sharing your account credentials with others.
Because we use cloud infrastructure and third-party providers, your information may be processed in countries other than the one you live in. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country.
Where required by law, we take steps to protect your information when it is transferred internationally, such as using contractual protections. By using the Services, you understand that your data may be transferred to and processed in other countries.
The Services may contain links to third-party websites, apps, or services (for example, Snapchat, Instagram, or external social networks). If you choose to visit or use these third-party services, their own terms and privacy policies will apply.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties, so we encourage you to read their policies carefully.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the Services, legal requirements, or how we process your data.
When we make material changes, we will take reasonable steps to inform you, such as updating the "last updated" date, showing an in-app notice, or sending you a message. Your continued use of the Services after the changes take effect means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, you can contact us at:
Email: zuppfriends.app@proton.me
Website: https://zuppfriends.com