FriendCircle Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 20, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how FriendCircle ("we," "us," or "our"), published by 株式会社雪堂 (Setsudo K.K.), collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the FriendCircle mobile application (the "App"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about our data practices.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Phone Number

When you create an account, we collect your phone number for identity verification purposes. Your phone number is verified through a one-time SMS code sent via Twilio Verify, a third-party verification service. After verification, your phone number is stored in our secure database to link your identity to your account.

1.2 Account Information

When you create an account, your profile information — including your display name and profile photo — is stored in our secure cloud database. Your account is identified by a unique internal identifier. We do not access your Apple ID, iCloud credentials, or any other Apple account details.

1.3 User-Generated Content

We collect content you create and share through the App, including profile photos, posts (including photos and text), and comments. This content is stored securely in our cloud database and storage infrastructure hosted by Supabase, with encryption in transit and at rest.

1.4 Contacts (Optional)

With your explicit permission, FriendCircle may access your device's contacts to help you find and connect with friends who also use the App. Phone numbers from your contacts are compared against existing accounts on our servers solely for the purpose of friend discovery. We do not store your full contact list, and contact data is never shared with third parties or used for any purpose other than matching.

1.5 Device Information

We may collect device tokens for the purpose of sending push notifications. We do not collect device identifiers, location data, or usage analytics.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes: to verify your identity and create your account; to enable core App functionality including posting, commenting, and connecting with friends; to send push notifications about activity relevant to you (such as new comments or friend requests); and to help you discover friends through contact matching (only with your permission). We do not use your information for advertising, behavioral profiling, algorithmic content recommendations, or any purpose beyond the core functionality of the App.

3. How We Store and Protect Your Information

All user data — including profile information, posts, photos, comments, friend connections, and moderation records — is stored in Supabase, a secure cloud database platform with row-level security enabled. Row-level security ensures that users can only access data they are authorized to see. For example, you can only see posts from friends who have accepted your connection request. Profile photos and post images are stored in Supabase Storage with encryption in transit and at rest. Phone verification is processed through Twilio Verify and is subject to Twilio's privacy practices. We do not maintain our own servers beyond these managed cloud services.

4. Third-Party Services

FriendCircle uses the following third-party services:

Supabase: Cloud database, authentication, and storage for all user data including profiles, posts, photos, comments, and friend connections. Row-level security is enforced at the database level. Subject to Supabase's Privacy Policy (supabase.com/privacy).

Twilio Verify: SMS-based phone number verification. Subject to Twilio's Privacy Policy (twilio.com/legal/privacy).

We do not integrate any advertising networks, analytics SDKs, or social media tracking tools.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes. Your information may be shared only in the following limited circumstances: with the third-party service providers listed above, solely for the purpose of operating the App; with other FriendCircle users, limited to content you choose to share (such as your display name, profile photo, posts, and comments visible to accepted friends); or if required by law, in response to valid legal processes such as a subpoena or court order.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active. You can delete your account directly within the App by going to Settings and selecting Delete Account. Upon account deletion, all your data — including your profile, posts, photos, comments, and friend connections — is permanently removed from our systems. You may also contact us at the email address below to request data deletion.

7. Children's Privacy

FriendCircle is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to: access the personal information we hold about you; request correction of inaccurate information; request deletion of your account and data; and withdraw consent for optional features such as contact access. To exercise any of these rights, you may use the in-app settings or contact us at the email address below.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by other appropriate means. Your continued use of the App after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@friendcircle.xyz

Publisher: 株式会社雪堂 (Setsudo K.K.)

3-11-9 Omorikita, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-0016, Japan