Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
Buddy is a short-video ("reels") and stories social app operated by DreamIT ("Buddy", "we", "us"). This policy explains how we handle information when you use the Buddy mobile app, our website and related services (the "Service").
2. Information we collect
Information you give us
- Account information — when you sign in with Google we receive your name, email address, Google account ID and profile photo. You may add a username, display name, bio, profile photo and interests.
- Content — reels, photos, stories, captions, sounds you use, comments, reactions, voice comments, messages, buddy requests and any place name you choose to add to a post.
- Buddy Verified selfie (optional) — if you choose to get verified, your phone checks that a live selfie matches your profile photo. This face processing happens on your device; only a match score (a number) is sent to us, never a face template. The selfie itself is stored privately (it is never shown on your profile or to other users) so our team can review it if needed, and it is deleted within 30 days. Selfies of users under 18 are only ever reviewed by a person. Changing your profile photo removes the badge.
- Communications — messages you send us, reports you submit and feedback.
Information collected automatically
- Usage and activity — reels you watch and for how long, reactions, likes, comments, shares, follows/buddies, searches and interactions. We use this to personalise your feed ("Buddy Brain") and suggest buddies (vibe match).
- Device and technical data — device model, operating system, app version, language, IP address and crash/diagnostic logs.
- Approximate location — the country derived from your IP address, used to show relevant local content. We do not collect precise GPS location.
- Push notification token — a Firebase Cloud Messaging token so we can send you notifications you can turn off at any time.
Information from others
Other people may mention you, send you buddy requests or share content that includes you.
3. How we use information
- Provide, operate and maintain the Service, including your account, uploads, playback and messaging.
- Personalise your feed, recommend reels, sounds and creators, and calculate vibe match percentages.
- Show live "watching now" counts and which of your buddies are watching (only to your buddies).
- Send notifications about activity such as buddy requests, comments, reactions and streaks.
- Keep Buddy safe — detect and remove spam, abuse and content that breaks our Terms, including using automated tools to help review content.
- Understand and improve performance, fix bugs and develop new features.
- Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your messages to target ads.
4. How we share information
We share information only as needed to run the Service:
| Who | Why |
|---|---|
| Cloudflare, Inc. | Hosting, database, file and video storage and streaming, content delivery, security and AI processing used for recommendations and safety. |
| Google (Google Sign-In, Firebase Cloud Messaging, Google Play) | Sign-in, push notifications, app distribution. |
| Other Buddy users | Content you post publicly, your profile and interactions you make visible. |
| Law enforcement and safety organisations | When required by law, or to protect people from harm — including reporting child sexual exploitation to the relevant authorities (e.g. NCMEC). |
| A successor entity | If Buddy is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of assets, subject to this policy. |
5. Public content
Reels and posts set to public, your username, display name, profile photo, bio and buddy count can be seen by anyone, including through share links on the web. You can make individual posts private or limit who can comment, message or send you buddy requests in Settings.
6. Retention
We keep information while your account is active. When you delete content it is removed from the app promptly and erased from our systems and backups within 30 days. When you delete your account we delete your profile, content and personal data within 30 days, except limited information we must keep to comply with law, resolve disputes, or prevent abuse (for example, records of serious safety violations).
7. Delete your account
- In the app: Profile → Settings → Account → Delete account.
- By email: send a request from the email address linked to your account to contact@dreamithq.com with the subject "Delete my Buddy account". We'll confirm and complete deletion within 30 days.
You can also ask us to delete specific data without deleting your account using the same email address.
8. Your choices & rights
- Edit your profile and delete posts, comments and messages at any time.
- Turn notifications on or off in the app or your device settings.
- Control who can message you, send buddy requests or see your content, and block or report people.
- Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR, UK GDPR or CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct, export, delete or restrict use of your personal information, and to object to processing. Email us to exercise these rights; we will respond within the time required by law. You may also complain to your local data protection authority.
Where the GDPR applies, our legal bases are: performance of our contract with you (running the Service), legitimate interests (personalisation, safety, improvement), consent (where we ask for it, such as notifications) and legal obligation.
9. Security
We use encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS), access controls and reputable infrastructure to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to protect your data and will notify you and regulators of breaches where required.
10. Children
Buddy is not intended for anyone under 13 (or the higher minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we will delete the account and its data. If you believe a child is using Buddy, contact us. See our Child Safety Standards.
11. International transfers
Buddy is used worldwide and our providers process data in many countries. When we transfer personal data internationally we rely on appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
12. Changes
We may update this policy. If changes are significant we will tell you in the app or by email before they take effect. The effective date above shows when it was last updated.
13. Contact
Questions or requests: contact@dreamithq.com