Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 18, 2026
GGanbu Chat ("the app," "we," "us," or "our") is a nearby communication app provided by the developer identified in its app-store listing. Core chats are exchanged directly between devices over Bluetooth rather than through a central chat server. Some optional functions, including translation, safety reports, and in-app purchases, use network or platform services as described below. This Privacy Policy explains what information is handled, why it is used, whom it may be shared with, how long it is kept, and the choices available to you.
1. Information We Handle
Depending on the features you choose, the app handles the following categories of information:
- Profile and contact information — your display name and, if you choose to provide them, a profile photo and email address. Your profile is visible to nearby users while you are discoverable. Your email may be shared with another user only after mutual GGanbu interest, and may be included in a safety report you choose to send.
- User content — messages and photos you exchange are stored on the participating devices and sent directly over Bluetooth. If you submit a safety report, the report may include the reported message, recent conversation context, and photos received from the reported user.
- Device and proximity information — a randomly generated app identifier distinguishes nearby users. Bluetooth signal strength (RSSI) is used to estimate proximity. The app does not use RSSI to derive or store GPS coordinates.
- Report, app, and purchase information — a report may include the reporter's and reported user's names, reporter email, report reason and time, app version, and an encrypted copy of the reported user's app identifier. Apple or Google may provide purchase status and transaction identifiers needed to complete or restore an in-app purchase.
2. How We Use and Share Information
We use information only to provide nearby discovery and device-to-device communication, perform translation you request, complete purchases, prevent abuse, respond to reports and support requests, and comply with law. Profile information and chat content are shared with the nearby users you choose to interact with. Translation text is shared with the translation endpoint you configure; purchase information is handled with Apple or Google; and report information is sent through your chosen email provider to our safety contact. Where we select a service provider to process information for us, we require privacy protections consistent with this policy; services you independently choose are governed by their own terms and privacy practices. We do not sell personal information, use it for third-party advertising, or operate advertising or cross-app tracking SDKs. We do not receive routine copies of direct chats on a central chat server.
3. Permissions and Visibility Controls
- Bluetooth / Nearby devices — used to find, advertise to, connect with, and exchange content with nearby devices. These permissions are necessary for the app's core function and can be revoked in system settings.
- Location (Android 11 and earlier) — older Android versions require location permission for Bluetooth scanning. On newer supported versions, the app requests Nearby devices permissions and declares that Bluetooth scanning is not used to derive physical location. We do not collect or transmit GPS coordinates.
- Photos and notifications — the app accesses only the photos you select for a profile or chat. Notification permission is used to alert you to messages and to support Bluetooth operation where the operating system requires it. You can deny or revoke optional permissions in system settings.
- Discoverability — you decide when to make your profile visible to nearby users. While enabled, the app advertises profile information needed for discovery over Bluetooth. You can stop discoverability at any time with the antenna control. The app does not place you on a map or randomly match you into a chat.
4. Translation and Network Services
Translation is optional and requires access to an Ollama-compatible endpoint configured in the app. When you request translation, the message text, translation instructions, target language, and model request are sent to that endpoint over the local network or internet, depending on the address you configured. The endpoint operator may also receive ordinary network information such as your IP address and is responsible for its own security, logging, retention, and privacy practices. We do not control user-selected endpoints. Direct Bluetooth chat can continue without translation when no endpoint is available.
5. Storage, Security, Retention, and Deletion
Profiles, conversations, blocks, and the app-generated identifier are generally kept on your device for as long as the app or relevant record remains there. The operating system's device protections safeguard local app data. Bluetooth and network transmission security also depends on the participating devices, configured endpoint, network, and email provider. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure.
- Delete a conversation — removes that conversation from your device. It does not delete copies already received, saved, or reported by another user.
- Block a user — stores the block on your device and prevents further profile exposure and incoming communication from that app identifier. You can manage blocked users in the app.
- Send a report — first blocks the reported user, then opens an email draft for your review. If you send it, the report and any selected evidence are transmitted by your email provider to our safety contact. The reported app identifier is encrypted for the developer, while the email body and photo archive are handled under your email provider's protections. We retain reports only as reasonably necessary to investigate, enforce our rules, protect users, resolve disputes, and meet legal obligations, after which they are deleted or de-identified.
- Uninstall or request deletion — uninstalling normally removes app data from your device, subject to operating-system backups or copies held by recipients and service providers. Because there is no app account, there is no server account to delete. To request deletion of a report or support record we control, contact us below; we may retain information where legally required or necessary for safety and fraud prevention.
6. Payments (In-App Purchases)
In-app purchases are processed by Apple App Store or Google Play under the platform's terms and privacy policy. We do not receive or store your full card number or other payment credentials. The app and store may exchange product, transaction, purchase-status, and device/account-related information needed to process, verify, consume, or restore a purchase.
7. Age Restriction (18+)
The app is intended only for adults aged 18 and older. It is not directed to children, and anyone under 18 must not use it. If you believe a minor has provided information through a report or support request, contact us so we can investigate and delete it where appropriate.
8. Your Rights
You can view or edit your profile, disable discoverability, revoke permissions, manage blocked users, delete conversations, stop using a translation endpoint, or uninstall the app. Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, object to, or obtain a copy of personal information we control, and to withdraw consent without affecting earlier processing. Contact us to exercise applicable rights. You may also complain to your local data-protection authority. We may need to verify a request before acting on it.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy when the app, our practices, or legal requirements change. We will post the revised policy here and update the date above. If a change materially affects how we use information, we will provide any additional notice or consent required by law.
10. Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: