Privacy Policy

Welcome to NearPop ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and web platform (NearPop.in).

1. Information We Collect

To provide you with our hyperlocal discovery features, we collect the following types of information:

• Account Information: We use Google Authentication via Firebase to create your account. This provides us with your name, email address, and profile picture. Merchants may also provide business names, contact numbers, and store logos.
• Location Data: To provide neighborhood discovery features and proximity-triggered "Pops" (notifications), the app requires access to your device's precise (GPS) and approximate location. With your permission, we also collect your location in the background — that is, even when the app is closed or not in use — so we can alert you to relevant deals and listings near you. Location is also used to verify physical footfall at merchant stores.
• Camera Access: We request camera permissions solely for the purpose of scanning merchant QR codes to verify store visits and award loyalty points.
• Device & Identifiers: We collect standard device identifiers, including your Android Advertising ID, IP address, and browser/device type, primarily for analytics, security, and advertising purposes in accordance with Google Play Store policies.

2. How We Use Your Data

Your data is used to provide a seamless hyperlocal experience. Specifically, we use it to:

• Display relevant local shops, flats, jobs, and "Pops" based on your current location.
• Allow the system to trigger real-time push notifications when you physically enter a merchant's geofenced area.
• Manage your merchant dashboard or user profile and allocate loyalty points.
• Provide merchants with aggregated, anonymized footfall analytics. We never share your personal identity or live location with merchants.

We do not sell your personal data or location history to third-party data brokers.

3. Background Location & Proximity Deal Alerts

NearPop's core feature, Proximity Deal Alerts, relies on background location. In the app's own words when it asks for this permission:

"NearPop collects location data to enable Proximity Deal Alerts and notify you of nearby offers even when the app is closed or not in use."

Here's what that means in plain terms. Once you choose "Allow all the time," NearPop can check when you come near a deal or listing you're interested in and send you a notification — even if the app is closed or running in the background. This is what lets you find out about a nearby offer while you're out and about, not only when you happen to have the app open.

This is entirely optional. You can decline background location and still use NearPop normally in the foreground, and you can turn it off at any time from your device's location settings. If you turn it off, you simply won't receive alerts while the app is closed.

4. Third-Party Services, Analytics & Advertising

To operate and monetize NearPop safely, we integrate with secure Google services. By using our application, you acknowledge and agree to the following practices:

• Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure app traffic, performance, and usage patterns. Google Analytics may collect device identifiers and usage data. To understand how Google uses data when you use our app, please visit: How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services.
• Google AdMob & AdSense: Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies and device identifiers (such as the Android Advertising ID) to serve advertisements based on your prior visits to our app or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your interactions across the Internet.
• Opting Out of Personalized Ads: You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings. Furthermore, you can reset your device's Advertising ID or opt-out of personalized ads directly within your Android device's settings (Settings > Google > Ads).
• Google Play Store Compliance: We adhere strictly to the Google Play Developer Program Policies, including the Data Safety guidelines. All data collection, processing, and sharing detailed in this policy accurately reflects the declarations made in our Google Play Data Safety section.

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard encryption and Google Firebase's secure infrastructure to protect your information during transit and at rest. Access to user data is strictly limited to authorized personnel necessary for app maintenance. While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

6. Data Deletion & Your Rights

In compliance with global privacy standards and Google Play policies, we provide clear methods for you to manage and completely delete your data:

• In-App Deletion: Navigate to your Profile tab inside the NearPop app and tap Delete Account. This will immediately initiate the permanent removal of your profile, saved listings, and account data.
• Web / Email Request: If you no longer have the app installed, you may request account and data deletion by emailing hello@nearpop.in from your registered Google email address.
• What Happens to Your Data: Upon account deletion, all personal identifiers, location history, and linked profile data are permanently purged from our Firebase servers within 30 days. Any images or listings created by you will also be permanently destroyed.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date." Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes your acceptance.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Email: hello@nearpop.in