Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 20, 2025
Last Updated: October 28, 2025
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Introduction
Welcome to Buttr. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and services.
By using Buttr, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
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Legal Framework and Definitions
This Privacy Policy describes how Friendly Ventures, LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use Buttr Social (the "App" or "Service"). By using our App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
Key Definitions:
- Personal Information: Any information that identifies or can be used to identify you
- Service Providers: Third-party companies that help us operate Buttr Social
- Account: Your unique profile created to access Buttr Social
- Profile Information: Information displayed on your public profile
- Sensitive Information: Health data, sexual preferences, and other protected categories
This policy complies with applicable privacy laws including CCPA, GDPR, and other regional privacy regulations.
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Built by our community, for our community
At Buttr Social, we understand that your privacy isn't just about data—it's about your safety, your relationships, and your right to control your own story.
Buttr Social is designed to help gay men build authentic connections through:
- Dating and relationships - Find meaningful connections with compatible partners
- Community meetups - Discover local LGBTQ+ events and gatherings
- Social networking - Build friendships within the gay community
- Professional networking - Connect with LGBTQ+ business owners and professionals
- Event discovery - Find and share community events, parties, and activities
- Travel connections - Meet locals and other travelers when visiting new cities
As a platform serving the LGBTQ+ community, we handle information that matters deeply to you: your health information, your preferences, your photos, and your location.
This policy explains exactly what information we collect, why we need it, how you stay in control, and how we protect your privacy every step of the way.
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Quick Summary
What we collect: Profile information you provide, photos you upload, messages you send, your city location, and basic app usage information.
Why we collect it: To help you connect with other gay men through dating, friendships, meetups, events, and professional networking, while keeping the app safe and providing features like messaging and profile unlocking.
Your rights: Delete your account anytime, download your data, control what you share, and contact us with questions.
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Information We Collect
Information You Choose to Provide
Profile Information:
- Basic details: Name, age, city, neighborhood, height, weight, profession
- Physical characteristics: Body type, body hair, ethnicity (all optional)
- Relationship status and what you're looking for
- Photos for your public album
Preferences (Protected Information):
- Sexual position and practices
- Health information and testing details
- Vaccination status
- What you're here for (friends, dates, networking, etc.)
Private Photos:
- Photos you upload to your private album
- These are NEVER automatically shared with other users
- You control exactly which photos to send to whom
Messages and Communication:
- Messages you send to other users
- Voice messages and media you share
- Reactions you send
Business Information (Optional):
- Business name and type
- Professional services information
- Contact details for networking
Event Information (Optional):
- Events you create or share
- Event attendance and participation
Information We Automatically Collect
Location Information:
- Your city
- Your zip code
- Travel status when you're visiting other cities
App Usage Information:
- Profiles you view and interact with
- Features you use and how often
- App crashes and technical issues
- Device type and operating system
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
Cookies and Tracking:
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep you logged into your account
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Analyze how our app is used to improve performance
- Ensure app security and prevent fraud
- Provide customer support
You can control cookies through your device settings, but disabling them may limit some app functionality.
Important Note About Location: Even though we only show your city to other users, sophisticated users might be able to determine your more specific location using distance information. You can hide your distance from others, but some location inference may still be possible.
Information From Third Parties
We receive information from:
- Photo Moderation Service (Sightengine): When you upload a public profile photo, the image is temporarily analyzed by Sightengine's AI moderation service to ensure compliance with our Community Guidelines and Apple App Store policies. Sightengine does not store your photos after analysis.
- SMS Verification Service (Twilio): Your phone number is processed by Twilio to send verification codes. Twilio does not use your data for marketing purposes.
- Cloud Infrastructure (Supabase): All user data is stored on Supabase's secure servers. Supabase acts as our database and storage provider.
- Maps Service (Mapbox): When you share your location in messages, map tiles are provided by Mapbox. Mapbox receives the location coordinates you choose to share but does not store or use this data for other purposes.
- In-App Purchase Service (RevenueCat): Premium subscriptions are managed through RevenueCat, which handles App Store transaction processing and subscription status. RevenueCat receives purchase receipts and subscription information but does not process payment details directly (all payments are handled securely by Apple).
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Photo Moderation (Sightengine)
What Photos Are Moderated
- Public Profile Photos: All photos you upload to your public profile are analyzed by Sightengine's AI moderation service before appearing on Buttr
- Purpose: Ensure compliance with Apple App Store policies and our Community Guidelines by detecting nudity, sexual content, and other inappropriate material
What Photos Are NOT Moderated
- Private Photos in Messages: Photos you send in private conversations are NOT moderated or analyzed. We respect consensual adult communication between users.
How Photo Moderation Works
1. You upload a photo to your public profile
2. Photo is sent to Sightengine's API for AI analysis (typically takes 1-2 seconds)
3. Sightengine returns a moderation score indicating content type
4. If photo passes moderation, it's added to your profile
5. If photo fails moderation, you'll see an error message and can try a different photo
6. Sightengine deletes the image immediately after analysis - no photos are stored by Sightengine
Sightengine Data Practices
- Privacy Policy: https://sightengine.com/privacy-policy
- Data Retention: Images are not stored; analysis results are retained for service improvement
- Data Processing: Sightengine is GDPR and CCPA compliant
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How We Use Your Information
We use your information for these specific purposes:
Core App Features
- Profile Discovery: Show your profile to compatible users in your city
- Messaging: Enable you to communicate with other users
- Matching: Help you find users with similar interests and preferences
- Safety: Detect inappropriate behavior and enforce community guidelines
Unlock System
- Preferences Unlocking: Process unlock requests between users
- Bidirectional Consent: Ensure both users participate in unlocking process
- Reactions: Enable special reactions on unlocked content
Photo Management
- Public Album: Display your public photos to other users
- Private Album: Store your private photos securely (never auto-shared)
- Photo Sharing: Enable you to manually send specific private photos in conversations
Account Management
- Authentication: Verify your phone number and age (18+)
- Support: Respond to your questions and provide help
- Safety: Investigate reports and enforce community standards
Business Features
- Professional Networking: Connect users with business interests
- Event Promotion: Share community events and activities
- Anti-Solicitation: Prevent spam and inappropriate business messaging
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How We Share Your Information
With Other Buttr Social Users
What Other Users See:
- Your public profile information (name, age, city, photos from public album)
- Your online status and distance (unless you hide it)
- Information you choose to unlock for them
- Messages and media you send directly to them
What Other Users DON'T See:
- Your private album photos (unless you manually send specific photos)
- Your health information or sexual preferences (unless unlocked through our system)
- Your exact location beyond city level
- Your business information (unless you choose to share it)
With Service Providers
We share information with trusted third-party providers who help us operate Buttr:
Service Providers:
- Twilio: SMS verification | Phone number | Privacy: https://www.twilio.com/legal/privacy
- MessageBird: SMS delivery (backup) | Phone number | Privacy: https://www.messagebird.com/en/privacy
- Supabase: Database & storage | All user data | Privacy: https://supabase.com/privacy
- Sightengine: Photo moderation | Public profile photos (temporary) | Privacy: https://sightengine.com/privacy-policy
- Mapbox: Map display | Location coordinates (user-shared only) | Privacy: https://www.mapbox.com/legal/privacy
- RevenueCat: Subscription management | Purchase receipts, subscription status | Privacy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy
Hosting and Storage:
- Stores your profile data and messages securely
- Handles user authentication and account management
- Provides database services with encryption
Payment Processing:
- Processes membership payments securely
- We never see your full credit card information
- Handles subscription management
Customer Support:
- Helps us respond to your questions and issues
- May access your account information to provide support
- Bound by strict confidentiality agreements
With Law Enforcement (Only When Required)
We may share information only when legally required:
- Valid court orders or subpoenas
- Emergency situations involving immediate danger
- Investigations of illegal activity on our platform
We will never voluntarily share your health information, sexual preferences, or private photos with law enforcement unless required by valid legal process.
For Legal Reasons
We may disclose your information if required by law or to:
- Comply with legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
- Enforce our Terms of Service
- Protect the rights, property, or safety of Buttr, our users, or the public
- Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
Business Transfers
If Buttr is acquired or merged with another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
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Cookies and Tracking Technologies
What Are Cookies
Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us provide and improve Buttr Social. We use both session cookies (deleted when you close the app) and persistent cookies (remain until you delete them).
How We Use Cookies
- Authentication: Keep you logged in securely
- Preferences: Remember your settings and choices
- Security: Detect and prevent fraudulent activity
- Analytics: Understand how users interact with our app to make improvements
- Performance: Optimize app loading and functionality
Your Cookie Choices
- Mobile Settings: Control cookies through your device's privacy settings
- App Settings: Manage certain tracking preferences within Buttr Social
- Browser Settings: If using our web version, control cookies through browser settings
Note: Disabling cookies may limit some app functionality, but core features will still work.
Third-Party Cookies
We may use trusted third-party services that place cookies:
- Analytics providers to understand app usage (data is anonymized)
- Security services to protect against fraud and abuse
- Customer support tools to help us assist you better
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Your Privacy Rights and Controls
Account Control
- Delete Your Account: Remove all your information permanently anytime
- Update Your Profile: Change or correct any information
- Control Visibility: Choose what information to share and with whom
Communication Control
- Block Users: Prevent specific users from contacting you
- Report Issues: Report inappropriate behavior or content
- Message Privacy: Your conversations are private between you and the recipient
- Notification Settings: Control what notifications you receive
Privacy Settings
- Hide Distance: Prevent others from seeing how far away you are
- Private Album Control: Never auto-shares, you manually send specific photos
- Unlock Management: Choose who can see your preferences
- Business Profile: Enable or disable professional networking features
Location Control
- City Selection: Choose which supported city you appear in for discovery
- Travel Mode: Temporarily appear in a different city when traveling
- Zip Code Privacy: We only use this for local matching, never share it
- Distance Hiding: Hide your distance from other users
Access & Update Your Information
You can access and update your profile information directly in the app:
- Profile photos
- Bio and display name
- Physical attributes and lifestyle info
- Preferences and settings
Delete Your Account
To delete your account:
1. Go to Settings → Account
2. Select Delete Account
3. Confirm deletion
What happens when you delete:
- Your profile is permanently removed
- Your messages are deleted
- Your photos are removed from our servers
- Your data is deleted within 30 days (legal retention period)
Location Services
You can control location access:
- iOS: Settings → Buttr → Location → "While Using the App" or "Never"
- Android: Settings → Apps → Buttr → Permissions → Location
If you disable location:
- You can still use Buttr
- You'll need to manually set your city
- Distance-based discovery won't be available
Marketing Communications
You can opt out of promotional notifications:
- In-app: Settings → Notifications → Disable marketing notifications
- Push Notifications: Device settings → Notifications → Buttr
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Data Security and Protection
How We Protect Your Information
- Encryption: All sensitive data, including health information and sexual preferences, is encrypted both in storage and transmission.
- Access Controls: Only authorized personnel can access user data, and only for specific support or safety purposes.
- Secure Infrastructure: We use enterprise-grade hosting with regular security audits and monitoring.
- No Screenshots: We cannot prevent users from taking screenshots of conversations, so please be thoughtful about what you share.
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest
- Secure Storage: All data stored on Supabase's secure, GDPR-compliant servers
- Access Controls: Limited employee access to user data (need-to-know basis)
- Regular Audits: Security reviews and penetration testing
However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Health Information Security
Your health information receives special protection:
- Encrypted Storage: Never stored in plain text
- Limited Access: Only you and users you explicitly unlock for can see this information
- No Advertising Use: Never used for advertising or shared with advertisers
- Support Access: Customer support can only access this information if you specifically request help with it
Private Photo Security
Your private album has multiple layers of protection:
- Never Auto-Shared: Private photos are never automatically unlocked or shared
- Manual Control: You must manually select and send each private photo
- No Bulk Access: Even unlocked users don't get access to your entire private album
- Secure Storage: All photos are encrypted and stored securely
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Data Retention and Deletion
How Long We Keep Your Information
- Active Accounts: We keep your information as long as your account is active.
- Deleted Accounts: When you delete your account:
- Profile information is deleted immediately
- Messages are removed from our servers within 30 days
- Private photos are permanently deleted
- Some technical logs may be kept for up to 90 days for security purposes
- Legal Requirements: In rare cases, we may be required to retain certain information for legal proceedings or investigations.
We retain your information for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account:
- Profile data: Deleted within 30 days
- Messages: Deleted within 30 days
- Analytics: Anonymized and retained for business insights
- Legal retention: Some data may be retained longer for legal/compliance purposes
Complete Account Deletion
When you delete your Buttr Social account:
- Your profile disappears immediately from other users
- Your photos are permanently deleted from our servers
- Your messages are removed from our systems
- Your personal information is permanently deleted
- You'll receive confirmation when deletion is complete
Note: We cannot remove your messages from other users' devices (like screenshots they may have taken), but they are removed from our servers.
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Special Protections for Sensitive Information
Health Information and Sexual Preferences
- Explicit Consent Required: We only collect this if you choose to provide it
- Extra Security: Additional encryption and access controls
- Limited Sharing: Only visible to users you unlock
- Easy Updates: Change or remove this information anytime
Sexual Preferences and Position
- Unlock System Protection: Hidden behind our bidirectional unlock system
- User Control: You decide who can see this information
- No Assumptions: We never make assumptions about your preferences
Age Verification and Enforcement
- 18+ Requirement: All users must be 18 years or older to use Buttr Social
- Strict Enforcement: Any user found to be under 18 will be immediately and permanently banned
- Verification Process: We use phone number verification and age confirmation during registration
- Reporting: Users can report suspected underage accounts, which we investigate immediately
- No Appeals: Bans for underage use are permanent and cannot be appealed
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Children's Privacy
Buttr is 18+ only. We do not knowingly collect information from users under 18. If we discover a user is under 18, we will immediately delete their account and data.
If you believe a minor has created an account, please contact us at support@buttr.company.
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International Data Transfers
Buttr is based in the United States. If you use Buttr from outside the US:
- Your information will be transferred to and stored in the United States
- US privacy laws may differ from your country's laws
- By using Buttr, you consent to this transfer
We comply with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR for European users.
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Business and Professional Information
Business Networking Features
- Optional Participation: Business features are completely optional
- Anti-Solicitation: We prohibit unsolicited business messaging
- Professional Boundaries: Clear separation between personal and business information
- Contact Control: You control how other users can reach you for business purposes
Event Sharing
- Community Events: Share events with users who have saved your profile
- Privacy Control: Choose whether to share events publicly or privately
- Registration Links: All events must link to external registration (we don't collect payment information for events)
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Your Rights Under Privacy Laws
California Residents (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
- Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how we use it
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of any "sale" of personal information (though we never sell data)
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We won't discriminate against you for exercising these rights
To exercise these rights, email support@buttr.company.
European Residents (GDPR)
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to:
- Right of Access: Get a copy of your personal data
- Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
- Right to Erasure: Delete your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Right to Object: Object to certain processing of your personal data
- Restrict: Restrict processing of your data
To exercise these rights, email support@buttr.company.
Legal Basis for Processing:
- Consent: You provide consent when creating an account
- Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary to provide Buttr services
- Legitimate Interests: Fraud prevention, safety, and service improvement
All Users
Regardless of where you live, you have the right to:
- Delete your account and all associated data
- Access and download your information
- Correct inaccurate information
- Control what information you share
- Contact us with privacy questions or concerns
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Third-Party Links
Buttr may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., user-provided business scheduling links, social media profiles). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. Please review their privacy policies before providing any information.
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Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:
- We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- For significant changes, we'll notify you via in-app notification or email
- Continued use of Buttr after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
If we make significant changes, we'll notify you by:
- Sending you an in-app notification
- Posting a notice on our website
- Emailing you at your registered email address
You'll always have at least 30 days notice before any significant changes take effect.
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Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy:
Privacy Questions
Email: support@buttr.company
Subject Line: Privacy Policy Question
Account Issues
Email: support@buttr.company
In-App: Use the support feature in your Buttr Social app
Response Time: 48-72 hours for non-urgent matters
Business Inquiries
Email: support@buttr.company
Legal Matters
Email: support@buttr.company
Mailing Address
Friendly Ventures, LLC
Attn: Privacy Office
1000 East 18th Ave, Unit 100
Denver, CO 80218
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About Friendly Ventures
Buttr Social is operated by Friendly Ventures, LLC, a company founded by and for the gay community. We're committed to creating safe, authentic spaces for gay men to connect, whether for friendship, dating, business, or community involvement.
- Company: Friendly Ventures, LLC
- App: Buttr Social
- Mission: Building authentic connections in the gay community
- Commitment: Your privacy and safety are our top priorities
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Summary of Key Points
| What We Collect | Why We Collect It | Who We Share It With |
|----------------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Phone number | SMS verification | Twilio, MessageBird |
| Profile info | Show your profile to others | Other Buttr users |
| Location (GPS) | Distance-based discovery | Other Buttr users (approximate), Mapbox (when shared) |
| Public profile photos | Ensure appropriate content | Sightengine (temporary analysis) |
| Messages | Enable communication | Message recipients only |
| Device & usage data | Improve app performance | Supabase (storage) |
| Purchase history | Manage subscriptions | RevenueCat, Apple |
Your Rights:
- Access and update your profile anytime
- Delete your account and data
- Control location services
- Opt out of marketing communications
We Do NOT:
- Sell your data to third parties
- Moderate private photos sent in messages
- Automatically share your exact location (we show city and distance only, unless you manually send a location message)
- Allow users under 18
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By using Buttr, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
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Remember: You control your information on Buttr Social. If you ever have questions about your privacy or how your data is handled, we're here to help. Just reach out to support@buttr.company and we'll get back to you quickly.
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This privacy policy was last updated on October 28, 2025.