Hello Huntsville TX

Introduction

Hello Huntsville TX ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://www.hellohuntsvilletx.com and use our mobile application ("Hello Huntsville App").

By using our website or mobile app, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Account Information: When you create an account (website or mobile app), we collect your username, email address, password (encrypted), display name, and any profile information you choose to provide.
Contact Information: When you contact us through our contact form, we collect your name, email address, and message content.
User-Generated Content: Comments, posts, event submissions, business listings, and other content you create or submit.
Saved Items: Articles, events, and businesses you save for later viewing (synced across devices when logged in).
Communication Preferences: Your notification settings and email preferences.

Information We Collect Automatically

Usage Data: Pages visited, articles read, events viewed, businesses explored, time spent, interaction patterns, and XP (experience points) earned through app engagement.
Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, mobile device model, and app version.
Location Data (Mobile App Only): When you redeem GoodCoins with geofencing enabled, we collect your precise location (GPS coordinates) only at the moment of redemption to verify you are at the specified location. We do not continuously track your location. Location collection requires your explicit permission and is only used when you actively scan a GoodCoin. This data is stored temporarily for fraud prevention and is associated with your account.
Camera Access (Mobile App Only): When you scan GoodCoin QR codes, we access your device camera. No photos or videos are stored; the camera is used only to read QR codes.
XP and Engagement Data: We track your engagement with content (daily check-ins, articles read, events viewed, businesses explored, GoodCoins redeemed, comments posted) to calculate XP points, levels, and leaderboard rankings.
Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar technologies to maintain your login session, remember preferences, and analyze website traffic.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide Services: Operate and maintain our website and mobile app, authenticate users, sync saved items across devices, and deliver personalized content.
Rewards System: Calculate and track XP points, maintain leaderboards, manage contest entries, facilitate GoodCoin redemption, verify geofenced redemptions, and award prizes.
Communication: Send notifications about comments, content approvals, events, GoodCoin redemptions, contest winners, and updates (based on your preferences).
Community Features: Enable comments, user profiles, saved items, and social interactions within the community.
Fraud Prevention: Verify GoodCoin redemptions, detect suspicious activity, prevent duplicate XP awards, and ensure fair contest participation.
Improvement: Analyze usage patterns, improve user experience, develop new features, and fix bugs.
Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms of service, and protect our rights and those of our users.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Public Information: Your username, display name, profile information, comments, XP level, and leaderboard rankings are publicly visible to other users. Your saved items remain private unless you choose to share them.
Local Business Partners: When you redeem a GoodCoin, the sponsoring business may receive notification that a redemption occurred, including the redemption time and XP awarded. Your exact location coordinates are not shared with businesses.
Service Providers: We share limited information with trusted service providers who assist us in operating our website, mobile app, and services (e.g., hosting, email delivery, analytics). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, safety, and the rights of others.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction. You will be notified of any such change.
Aggregated Data: We may share aggregated, anonymized data that cannot identify you individually (e.g., "1000 GoodCoins were redeemed this month").
With Your Consent: We may share information with your explicit consent for specific purposes.

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:

Encryption: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS.
Password Protection: User passwords are encrypted using secure hashing algorithms and are never stored in plain text.
Access Controls: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Monitoring: We monitor for suspicious activity and unauthorized access attempts.
Regular Updates: We regularly update our security practices and software to address new threats.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Remember your preferences and settings
Analyze website traffic and user behavior
Provide personalized content and advertisements
Improve website functionality

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Mobile App Permissions

Our mobile application may request the following permissions:

Internet Access: Required to load content, sync data, and communicate with our servers.
Camera: Used only when you choose to scan QR codes for GoodCoin redemption. You can deny this permission and manually enter codes instead.
Location (When in Use): Used only when redeeming GoodCoins that require geofencing verification. We only access your location when you actively scan a GoodCoin, not continuously. You can deny this permission, but you won't be able to redeem location-restricted GoodCoins.
Storage: Used to cache images and content for offline viewing and improve performance.
Notifications: Used to send you updates about comments, events, and rewards (only if you grant permission).

You can manage app permissions through your device settings at any time.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

Account Data: Retained while your account is active. You can request deletion at any time.
Usage and XP Data: Retained to maintain leaderboards and contest history.
Location Data: GoodCoin redemption locations are stored for fraud prevention and are associated with redemption records.
Comments and Content: Retained unless you delete them or close your account.
Legal Obligations: Some data may be retained longer if required by law.

Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for users 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age (or under 18 for certain features). If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access: View your account information, XP history, saved items, and notification preferences through your profile settings.
Correct: Update or correct your profile information, email address, and preferences at any time.
Delete: Request deletion of your account and personal information by contacting us. Some information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
Export: Request a copy of your personal data in a portable format.
Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from email notifications, adjust notification preferences, or disable location services through your device settings.
Restrict: Limit how we use your information by adjusting your privacy settings or contacting us.
Object: Object to certain data processing activities by contacting us.

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@hellohuntsvilletx.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
Right to delete personal information
Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@hellohuntsvilletx.com.

International Users

Our services are operated in the United States. If you are accessing our services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located. By using our services, you consent to this transfer.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last updated" date
Sending an email notification if you have an account with us
Displaying a prominent notice in our mobile app

Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

Contact Us

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

Email: hello@hellohuntsvilletx.com
Website: Contact Form
Mail: Hello Huntsville TX, Huntsville, Texas

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.