KuNectPrivacy Policy
This policy explains what information the KuNect mobile app and its services ("KuNect", "we", "us") collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. KuNect is a social app for students of Kathmandu University and is intended for users aged 18 and over.
Short version: we collect what you give us to run the app (your university profile and the content you post). We don't sell your data, we don't show ads and we don't use third-party tracking or analytics. You can delete your account and data at any time from the app.
1. Information we collect
Information you provide
| Data | Why |
|---|---|
| Full name, username, university email address and password (stored hashed) | Create and secure your account, verify you are a Kathmandu University student |
| Department, year of study, interests, bio | Show your profile and help you discover other students |
| Gender and date of birth (optional) | Shown on your profile only if you choose to provide them |
| Profile photo and photos you attach to posts | Display them in the app |
| Posts, anonymous Gossip posts, comments, likes and pokes | Provide the social features of the app |
| Chat messages (text and images) | Deliver messages between you and the people you chat with |
| Reports, blocks and hidden posts | Keep the community safe and personalise what you see |
| Messages you send to support | Answer your request |
Information collected automatically
- Push notification token – if you allow notifications, so we can notify you about comments, replies, pokes, messages and trending posts.
- Technical data – such as the app version (to tell you when an update is required) and standard server logs (IP address, request time) kept for security and debugging.
We do not collect your location, contacts, or advertising identifiers, and we do not use third-party analytics or advertising SDKs.
2. Anonymous Gossip posts
Gossip posts and comments are shown to other users under a randomly generated alias, not your name. To enforce our Terms of Use, each anonymous post is still linked to your account internally. Only KuNect moderators can see that link, and only to act on reports of objectionable content or abuse.
3. How we use information
- To provide, maintain and improve KuNect.
- To verify your student email, secure your account and let you reset your password.
- To send notifications you have allowed.
- To moderate content: posts, comments and messages are checked automatically for objectionable content, and reported content is reviewed by moderators.
- To enforce our Terms of Use, including suspending accounts that violate them.
- To respond to your support requests.
4. How information is shared
We do not sell or rent your personal information. Information is shared only:
- With other users – your profile, public posts and comments are visible to other signed-in KuNect users. Gossip posts show only your alias. Chat messages are visible to the participants of the conversation.
- With service providers who process data on our behalf to run the app: cloud hosting and database providers, Cloudinary (image storage), Brevo (verification and password-reset emails), Expo (push notification delivery) and OpenAI (automated content moderation of posts and images). They may only use the data to provide their service to us.
- When required by law or to protect the safety of our users and others.
5. Data retention and deletion
- We keep your data for as long as your account exists.
- You can delete individual posts and comments at any time.
- You can permanently delete your account in the app under Profile → Settings → Delete account. This deletes your profile, posts (including anonymous Gossip posts and their images), likes, pokes, blocks, reports you made, notifications, your anonymous identity and your conversations. Comments you left on other people's posts are replaced with "[deleted]". See Delete your account.
- Unverified accounts are deleted automatically when the email verification link expires.
- Backups and server logs are overwritten on a rolling basis.
6. Security
Passwords are stored hashed, traffic between the app and our servers is encrypted in transit (HTTPS), and access to moderation tools is restricted to authorised moderators. No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information.
7. Your choices and rights
- Edit your profile, interests and bio in the app at any time.
- Turn notifications off in your device settings.
- Block users and hide posts you don't want to see.
- Request a copy or correction of your data, or deletion of your account, by emailing billjeshbaidya@gmail.com.
8. Age requirement
KuNect is for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will change the "Last updated" date above and, for significant changes, notify you in the app.
10. Contact
Questions about this policy or your data: billjeshbaidya@gmail.com.