Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Habiboo, a matrimonial and matchmaking platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our mobile application and services.

By using Habiboo, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This policy applies to all users of Habiboo, including Seekers (individuals seeking a match) and Walis (guardians managing Seeker accounts).

2. Who We Are

Habiboo is operated by Habiboo Ltd, a company registered in England.

This Privacy Policy applies to the Habiboo mobile application (iOS and Android) and related services. If you access Habiboo via a website, additional website-specific practices (such as cookies) may also apply.

3. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our services:

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender, and authentication credentials (passwords are encrypted)
• Profile Information: Photos, bio, preferences, location (city, country), religious and lifestyle information, career and education details, interests, and personality traits
• Device Information: Device model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, IP address, and app usage data
• Communication Data: Messages sent and received between matched users, support communications, and verification codes (SMS/Email)
• Location Data: City and country for profile display and discovery features (precise location only with your explicit permission)
• Sensitive Information (where applicable): Some profile fields may reveal sensitive information (for example, religious beliefs). Where required by law, we handle this information with additional protections and/or rely on your explicit consent.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Service Provision: Create and manage your account, provide matchmaking and discovery services, facilitate communication between matched users
• Safety and Security: Verify user identity through phone, email, and photo verification, prevent fraud and abuse, moderate content for safety
• Personalization: Improve our matching algorithms, personalize your experience, and provide relevant recommendations
• Communication: Send you notifications about matches, messages, and important updates, respond to your support requests
• Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and regulations, respond to legal requests, protect user safety
• Service Improvement: Analyze app usage to improve functionality, develop new features, and enhance user experience

Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR/UK GDPR, where applicable): Depending on your location and the activity, we rely on one or more of the following: performance of a contract (providing the service you request), your consent (for optional features or where required), our legitimate interests (such as keeping the platform safe and improving it), and compliance with legal obligations.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information.

We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:
  • Hosting and storage: Secure hosting of our services and storage/delivery of photos and media files
  • Messaging and verification: Providers that help us send verification codes (SMS/email) and service communications
  • Analytics and crash reporting: Tools that help us understand app performance, diagnose issues, and improve reliability (using minimized data where possible)
• Matched Users: Your profile information (including photos) is visible to users you match with, as part of our core matchmaking service
• Guardian accounts (Wali): If a Wali manages a Seeker account, the Wali may be able to access and manage that Seeker’s account and settings as part of the service. See section 6 below.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect user safety and prevent harm
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction

6. Guardian Accounts (Wali) and Managed Accounts (Seeker)

Habiboo supports different account roles. A Seeker is an individual seeking a match. A Wali is a guardian who may manage one or more Seeker accounts.

If you use Habiboo with a Wali-managed Seeker account, your Wali may be able to perform actions such as creating or updating profile information, managing photos, adjusting settings, and acting on your behalf in the app. We design these features to support guardian oversight and safety. Where applicable, we may log actions for security and auditing purposes.

If you are a Wali, you are responsible for using these capabilities lawfully and with appropriate consent from the Seeker you manage.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS protocols
• Secure Storage: Photos and sensitive data are stored in secure cloud storage with restricted access controls
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to user data, and access is logged and monitored
• Password Security: Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms and never stored in plain text
• Fraud Detection: We use advanced fraud detection systems to identify and prevent unauthorized access

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Responsibility: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Please use a strong, unique password and do not share your account information with others.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Right to Correction: Update or correct your information directly through the app or by contacting us
• Right to Deletion: Delete your account and personal information at any time through app settings or by contacting us
• Right to Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent to data processing where applicable
• Right to Object: Object to certain processing of your information, such as marketing communications
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your personal information

California (CCPA/CPRA): If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights, including the right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and share; the right to delete; the right to correct; and the right to opt out of sale/sharing where applicable. We do not sell personal information.

We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@habiboo.co or through the app's support feature. We will respond to your request within 30 days. Please note that we may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Protect user safety and prevent fraud

When you delete your account:

• Your profile information is removed from our active systems
• Your photos are deleted from our storage systems
• Your messages may be retained for a limited period for safety and legal purposes
• Some information may be retained in backups for a limited time before permanent deletion

We may retain certain anonymized or aggregated data for analytics and service improvement purposes, which cannot be used to identify you.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country.

Where required by law, we use appropriate safeguards for international transfers (such as standard contractual clauses or other lawful transfer mechanisms) and implement security measures designed to protect your information.

11. Children's Privacy

Habiboo is intended for users who are 18 years of age or older (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete that information immediately. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us at privacy@habiboo.co.

12. Cookies, SDKs, and Similar Technologies

We may use software development kits (SDKs), device identifiers, and similar technologies to help provide the service, remember preferences, improve security, and understand app performance. If you access Habiboo through our website, we may also use cookies and similar technologies in connection with website operation, measurement, and user controls.

Our website cookie categories include:

• Essential cookies: used to support core website functions, security, and user preferences.
• Analytics cookies: used to help us understand website use and performance.
• Marketing cookies: used to help us measure referral sources, campaign performance, and related website interactions.

Depending on your location and applicable law, certain non-essential cookies may only be used where the required consent has been provided.

In some regions, non-essential cookies may be enabled by default where permitted, while still allowing you to review and change your choices at any time.

You can manage many of these settings through your device operating system, in-app settings where available, and the website cookie banner or related controls. For more information, please read our Cookie Policy.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending you a notification through the app
• Emailing you if the changes are significant

Your continued use of Habiboo after any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Contact Us