VIPChat
Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how VIPChat ("we", "us", "the App") collects, uses, shares and protects your information when you use our messaging app on Android, iPhone and the web.
Information We Collect
- Account information: your phone number and password (stored only as a secure hash). When you sign up we may text your phone a code or link to confirm the number is yours.
- Profile information: your display name, profile photo and "About" text, if you add them.
- Messages and media: the text messages, photos, videos, voice notes, documents and GIFs you send and receive, including replies, edits and messages in groups.
- Groups: group names, photos, descriptions, who is a member and who is an admin.
- Calls: voice and video calls connect directly between the two phones whenever possible. We do not record or store the audio or video of calls. When a direct connection is not possible, the encrypted call stream passes through our relay server without being recorded. We keep a short call entry in the chat (for example "Voice call · 2:31" or "Missed voice call").
- Online status and receipts: when you are online, when you were last seen, and when your messages were delivered and read. You can turn off "Last seen and online" and "Read receipts" in Settings > Privacy.
- Contacts you choose: when you pick someone from your phone's contacts, only the number you pick is used. The App does not upload or read your address book.
- Device information: a push notification token so we can notify you of new messages and calls, the App version, and basic error reports when the App has a problem.
- Reports: if you report someone, the reason and details you add and which conversation it relates to.
Permissions the App Asks For
- Microphone: to record voice notes and for voice and video calls.
- Camera: to take photos to send and for video calls.
- Notifications: to tell you about new messages and incoming calls (including a full-screen incoming-call screen).
- Photos and files: only the items you choose to send.
- Fingerprint / face / phone PIN: only if you turn on App lock. This is handled by your phone; we never receive it.
How We Use Your Information
- To provide messaging, groups, voice and video calls, notifications and the other features of the App.
- To confirm phone numbers and keep accounts secure.
- To show online status, last seen and delivery/read ticks according to your privacy settings.
- To fix problems and keep the service running reliably.
- To review reports of abuse and enforce our Terms & Conditions.
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information and we do not use it for advertising. Your messages are visible only to the people in the conversation or group. We share information only as needed to run the service:
- People you talk to: your name, photo, phone number and messages are shown to the people you chat or share a group with (your photo and last seen follow your privacy settings).
- Partner messaging networks: some contacts are reached through partner messaging services (for example SMS or other messaging networks). When you message such a contact, the message, your name and your phone number are passed to that service so it can be delivered, and their replies come back the same way.
- Service providers: Google Firebase and Apple to deliver notifications; GIPHY to show GIFs when you search for them (your search words are sent to GIPHY); our hosting provider to store data; an SMS provider to text verification codes; tawk.to to run the live support chat on our website and count website visits (what you type in that chat, and basic browser information, is processed by tawk.to).
- Legal reasons: when required by law or to protect the safety of people or the service.
Data Storage, Security and Retention
Your data is stored on secure servers in the United States. All connections to our servers are encrypted (HTTPS/TLS), and call audio and video are encrypted between the phones. Media links expire and only work for people in the conversation. We keep your account information and messages until you delete them or delete your account. Deleted messages and accounts are removed from our active systems, and from backups within 30 days.
Your Choices and Rights
- Edit your profile, change your password, and choose who sees your photo, last seen and read receipts in Settings.
- Delete messages, clear or delete chats, leave or block groups, and block or report people.
- Delete your account at any time in the App (Settings > Delete my account) or on the web at vipchatapp.net/delete-account. This permanently deletes your profile, chats and messages and removes you from your groups.
- You can ask us for a copy of your information or ask questions about it by writing to the address below.
Children's Privacy
VIPChat is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date, and important changes will be announced in the App.
Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data? Contact us at ed@telotext.com.