Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 22 June 2026 · Last updated: 22 June 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Settlr (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and shares your information when you use the Settlr mobile application (the “App”). By using the App, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Account Information
When you create an account we collect:
- Email address — used to authenticate you and, if verified, to send notifications.
- Display name (username) — shown to other users in groups and conversations.
- Profile photo — optional image you upload.
- Phone number — optional field you may fill in on your profile.
- Bio — optional short description you may write about yourself.
- Default currency preference — used to pre-fill expense forms.
1.2 Group & Expense Data
When you use the App's core features we collect:
- Group details — name, description, photo, currency, colour, invite code, member list, and permission settings.
- Expense records — title, description, amount, currency, category, split details (who owes how much), receipt photos, and the date the expense occurred.
- Payment records — amounts settled between members, optional notes, and timestamps.
- Comments — text comments left on expenses or payments.
1.3 Messages & Conversations
When you use messaging features we collect:
- Text messages you send.
- Photos and images you share in conversations or group chats.
- Emoji reactions you apply to messages.
- Message metadata (timestamps, sender identity, reply-to references).
1.4 Group Widgets & Collaborative Content
When you add content to a group's overview board we collect:
- Notes — text bodies, checklist items, and attached images.
- Calendar entries — title, start and end dates, and colour settings.
- Countdown timers — label and target date/time.
- Saved places — title, description, geographic coordinates, and Google Maps place identifiers.
- Weather widget configuration — location name and geographic coordinates you pin.
1.5 Location Data
Location data is collected only when you explicitly choose to tag a location on an expense, add a map pin (saved place) to a group board, or configure a weather widget for a specific location. We do not collect background location or track your location continuously.
1.6 Device & Usage Data
We use Firebase services (provided by Google) which may automatically collect device identifiers and tokens (used to deliver push notifications), crash reports and error logs (used to diagnose bugs via Sentry), and basic usage telemetry collected by Firebase Analytics.
1.7 Feedback & Reports
If you submit in-app feedback or report another user, we collect the message text and optional screenshot you provide, a category label (bug, feature request, or general), and your user ID so we can follow up if needed.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide the service — create and manage your account, groups, expenses, payments, messages, and group content.
- Calculate balances — compute who owes whom and simplify debts across group members.
- Send notifications — push notifications for new expenses, payments, messages, comments, and new group members; email notifications for expenses added, payments received, friend requests, settlement reminders, and group invites. You can configure or disable these in Settings.
- Display weather forecasts — coordinates you save for a weather widget are sent to a weather API to fetch forecast data.
- Enable map features — place coordinates and place IDs are used with Google Maps to display saved locations.
- Export data — generate a CSV file of your group's expenses that you can share from your device.
- Improve the App — crash reports and feedback help us identify and fix issues.
- Safety & moderation — user reports and abuse signals help us respond to policy violations.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal data.
3.1 With Other Users
Information you add is shared only with members of the same group or conversation. Your username, profile photo, and expense/payment data are visible to members of any group you join. Messages and images in a conversation are visible to participants of that conversation. Notes, countdown timers, calendar entries, saved places, and weather widgets on a group board are visible to all members of that group. Your friend list is visible to you only.
3.2 With Service Providers
We use the following third-party services that process data on our behalf:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|
| Google Firebase (Auth, Firestore, Cloud Functions, FCM, Storage) | Authentication, database, push notifications, file storage |
| Google Maps Platform | Displaying saved places on a map |
| Sentry | Crash reporting and error monitoring |
| Weather API | Fetching forecasts for weather widgets |
These providers are contractually obligated to process data only as directed and to protect it appropriately.
3.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Settlr, our users, or the public.
4. Data Storage & Security
- All data is stored in Google Cloud Firestore and Firebase Storage, hosted in data centres operated by Google.
- Data is transmitted over encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS).
- Access to Firestore data is governed by security rules — each user can only read data they are a member of or have been granted access to.
- Uploaded files (profile photos, receipt images, message images) are stored in Firebase Storage with access controls.
- We take reasonable technical measures to protect your data, but no system is completely secure. You use the App at your own risk.
5. Data Retention
- Account data is retained for as long as your account is active.
- Expense, payment, and message records are stored indefinitely and remain accessible to group members unless explicitly deleted.
- Countdown widgets can be configured to delete automatically on expiry.
- Feedback submissions are retained until reviewed and resolved.
- If you delete your account, your profile data is removed. Content you created in groups (expenses, messages, notes) may remain visible to other members under your user ID unless you delete it before account deletion.
6. Your Rights & Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate profile information (directly in the App under your profile settings).
- Delete your account and associated profile data.
- Export your group expense data as a CSV file (via the Export feature in each group).
- Opt out of push notifications (in Settings or via your device's notification settings) and email notifications (in Settings).
To exercise these rights or to request account deletion, contact us at support@settlr.tech.
7. Children's Privacy
The App is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the minimum digital age of consent in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has created an account, please contact us and we will delete the account.
8. Third-Party Links & Services
The App integrates with Google Maps for location features. Interacting with those features is subject to Google's privacy policy. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the “Last updated” date above. Continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, contact us at: support@settlr.tech
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