Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information the Hiccup Android app ("the App"), published by Trishunya Infotech ("we", "us"), handles, how it is used, and the choices you have. Hiccup lets two people who miss each other send tiny, warm gestures: a character, a feeling, an emoji or a few words.

1. Account and identity

You sign in with a Google account or with an email sign-in link, so that your person can find you with an invite code. We receive the email address of the account and the display name you choose. We do not ask for a phone number, and throwaway email services are not accepted.

2. Information the App handles

• Your display name and the invite codes used to pair two people. A pairing exists only between the two people who accepted it.
• Hiccups you send and receive: the chosen character look (a feeling), an optional emoji, optional short words (up to 60 characters), whether it is marked secret, the look items worn by the sender, and the time. A hiccup passes through our server (Google Firebase) so that it can reach the other person's phone.
• Usage events, described in section 4.

3. Information stored only on your device

Your hiccup history, the names you give your people, your character choices, streaks, tree and garden progress, widgets and settings are kept on your phone. Typed words are checked on your phone against unsafe content before they are sent; they are not read by us. Uninstalling the App, or clearing its storage in Android Settings, deletes this data from your device.

4. Analytics

We use Google Analytics for Firebase to see, in aggregate, which parts of the App are used and how often, and whether a person is an invite-code member, so that we can fix problems and decide what to improve. Events contain only fixed names and small numbers, never the words of a hiccup, names or contact details. In the EU/EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland (and wherever the region cannot be told) the App asks for your choice before anything is collected, and you can change it at any time in Settings under "Anonymous usage statistics". A "no" is always respected.

4.1 Install measurement (Meta SDK)

The App includes the Meta (Facebook) SDK for Android. It reports that the App was installed and opened, the app version, device and OS information, and your device's Android Advertising ID (if you have not reset or opted out of it) to Meta. We use this only to measure which of our advertising campaigns lead to installs of Hiccup. The App does not use Facebook login, and the Meta SDK never receives your messages, names or the people you are paired with. We also use the Google Play Install Referrer API, read by the Meta SDK, to learn which ad or link an install came from. Where the law requires your consent (see section 4), the SDK starts only after you allow it. Data received by Meta is processed under Meta's Privacy Policy.

5. Advertising

The App shows ads through Google AdMob to keep the App free, including a rewarded ad that unlocks more hiccups. AdMob may collect device and advertising identifiers (such as your Android Advertising ID), approximate location derived from your IP address, and ad engagement data, to serve and measure ads. This is governed by Google's Privacy Policy. You can limit ad personalisation in Android Settings → Google → Ads, and reset or delete your advertising ID there.

Where the law requires your consent before this data is collected (for example in the EU/EEA, the United Kingdom or Switzerland), the App asks for it first, and you can change your choice later in the App.

6. Permissions the App requests, and why

The App does not request access to your contacts, location, photos, microphone, camera, SMS or call log.

7. Third-party service providers

We share limited technical data with the following providers only to operate the App:

• Google Firebase - sign-in, delivering hiccups, and analytics.
• Google AdMob - advertising.
• Meta (Facebook) - app install and app open events, device and app information, and the Android Advertising ID, used for install attribution of our advertising.

These providers may process data outside your country of residence, under their own privacy policies. We do not sell your personal information.

8. Data retention and deletion

A hiccup is kept on our server only for as long as needed to deliver it to your person. You can delete your history on your phone at any time from within the App. To delete your account and the data we hold about it, email us from the address of your account; we will confirm when it is done. Analytics and advertising data held by Google follows Google's own retention policies.

9. Children's privacy

The App is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will address it.

10. Security

Data sent between the App and our service providers is encrypted in transit. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, including at release and whenever features or third-party services are added. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date above.

12. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data can be sent to infotech.trishunya+hiccup@gmail.com.