Privacy Policy
Entity: Spark Platforms Inc.
Last Updated: March 9, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use, and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You.
1. Interpretation and Definitions
Definitions
- Account: A unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service.
- Company: (referred to as "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to Spark Platforms Inc.
- Service: Refers to the "Spark: The GenZ App" mobile application.
- Personal Data: Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual.
- Pseudonymization: The processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information.
- Advertising ID: A unique, user-resettable ID for advertising, provided by Google Play services (Android Advertising ID).
2. Collecting and Using Your Personal Data
Types of Data Collected
A. Personal Data
While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. This includes:
- Identity Data: First name, Last name, and Profile Picture (retrieved via Google Sign-In).
- Contact Data: Email address (retrieved via Google Sign-In).
- Profile Data: Username, Bio, and College/University selection.
- User Content: Text, images, and other content you post to the Feed and Shadows.
B. Usage Data & Device Information
Usage Data is collected automatically to ensure security, performance, and to facilitate the delivery of personalized advertisements:
- Device Info: Device type, Operating System version, and Unique Device Identifiers (Device ID).
- Advertising Identifiers: We collect and share the Android Advertising ID to facilitate the delivery of personalized advertisements and for fraud prevention via Google AdMob.
- Log Data: IP address (used to estimate approximate location), time and date of visit, and diagnostic crash logs.
- Analytics Data: Aggregated patterns of app interactions (taps, page views) to enhance app features and user experience.
C. Media & Permissions
We may request access to your device's Camera and Photo Library to allow you to upload photos. We only access specific images that you explicitly select.
3. Legal Bases for Processing
We process your Personal Data based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: For authentication via Google Sign-In, features like posting content, and the delivery of personalized advertisements.
- Performance of a Contract: To provide the Service, such as placing you in Campus feeds based on your College selection.
- Legitimate Interests: For security, abuse prevention, improving the app (e.g., crash logs and analytics), and maintaining an ad-supported service.
- Legal Obligations: For compliance with laws, such as reporting to authorities.
4. How We Use Data in Specific Features
A. Authentication & Onboarding
We use Google Sign-In to authenticate your identity. Access requires a valid university email or ID for verification. Users without a verified College/University affiliation cannot log in or create an account. Once verified, you select your College/University. This "College Selection" is critical as it places you into specific "Campus" feeds and chat pools.
B. Campus Feed
This feature enables you to share updates with your network. The Feed offers distinct viewing modes that allow you to toggle between content sources based on your preferences. Please note that regardless of the mode used to view content, any post you create is public and generally accessible to users from your campus, your followers, and the global community.
- Campus Mode: A curated feed displaying content primarily from users within your selected College or University.
- Global Mode: An aggregated feed displaying content from users across the entire platform worldwide.
- Following Mode: A personalized feed displaying content exclusively from users you follow.
- Pooling Mode: A community-driven mode centered around shared interests and collective movements.
C. Shadows (Anonymous)
When you post a Shadow:
- We Pseudonymize your identity. The app assigns a unique Avatar and Random Pseudonym (e.g., "Secret Star, Blaze, Glow").
- Anonymous Polls: You can create and participate in anonymous polls within Shadows. Poll data is aggregated and pseudonymized.
- Other users cannot see your real Name, Username, or Google Profile Picture.
- Data Retention: While anonymous to the public, the content is linked to your User ID on our secure servers to ensure accountability and prevent abuse.
D. Anonymous Chat
This feature connects you with other users for 1-on-1 conversations:
- Campus Mode: You are matched with someone from your own college.
- Global Mode: You are matched with a student from any university worldwide. We disclose only the name of your College/University.
- Enhanced Experience: We support the sharing of GIFs and Media within chats to enhance interaction. These are stored securely and encrypted in transit.
E. Live Voice Features (Spark Web)
Our real-time audio features (1-on-1 Voice Call, 4-4 Campus/Global Voice, and Custom Private Rooms) are designed for ephemeral connection:
- No Recording: We do not record, transcribe, or store live audio streams on our servers.
- Encryption: Audio streams are transmitted in real-time and encrypted in transit using WebRTC protocols.
- Custom Rooms: Users can generate invite links and set passwords for private, mesh-networked rooms. While we facilitate the connection, we do not monitor or retain the audio content of these rooms.
F. Shadow Vault (Secure Management)
The Shadow Vault is a secure, password-protected area within the app that allows you to manage your Shadow identity and data. Access to the Vault requires secondary authentication to ensure only you can manage your anonymous presence.
G. Granular Notifications
We provide users with complete control over their notification experience. You can manage preferences for in-app alerts and push notifications for various activities (e.g., new followers, likes, chat messages) via the app settings.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We share your data in the following circumstances:
- With Service Providers: We use Google Firebase for backend infrastructure. They process data securely on our behalf.
- Advertising Partners: We use Google AdMob to serve advertisements. AdMob may collect and use data (such as your IP address and Advertising ID) according to Google’s Privacy Policy.
- Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale of Company assets, or acquisition.
- Law Enforcement: If required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.
6. International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and stored in countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States, where Google Firebase and AdMob operate. We ensure such transfers comply with applicable laws, such as using standard contractual clauses.
7. Data Retention
- Account data is retained while your account is active and up to 30 days after deletion.
- User content is retained indefinitely unless deleted by you or us for abuse prevention.
- Log data is retained for up to 90 days for security and diagnostics.
8. Data Security
We utilize industry-standard encryption protocols (provided by Google Cloud/Firebase) to protect data in transit and at rest. All data shared with third-party providers is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS/HTTPS).
9. Your Data Rights & Deletion
- Access & Update: Access and update your profile directly within the app settings.
- Deletion: Request the deletion of your account and all associated data.
- Ad Preferences: You can manage your advertising preferences or reset/delete your Advertising ID via your device settings: Settings > Google > Ads.
How to Delete Your Data:
You can delete your account immediately via the app:
Settings > Account Management > Delete Account. Alternatively, visit
www.sparkthegenzapp.live to submit a request.
10. Children's Privacy (16+ Restriction)
Our Service is strictly restricted to individuals aged 16 and older. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 16, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.