Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

We collect information to operate BUZZNOB effectively and provide you with the best experience. The information we collect depends on the features you use and the choices you make (including your privacy and device settings).

Types of information we collect:

• Account and Profile: email address, username, display name, avatar, bio, social links, and preferences you choose to provide. This helps personalize your experience and enable social features.
• Authentication and Wallet: external provider identifiers (e.g., Google), Particle Network user ID and wallet address, and technical metadata necessary to authenticate and secure your sessions.
• KYC (upcoming, where legally required): information and documents needed to verify identity and satisfy compliance obligations. We collect this only if/when KYC features are enabled and required for your use.
• Usage Data: interactions within BUZZNOB (e.g., articles read, achievements, points, streaks), logs related to feature usage, timestamps, device and app versions, and diagnostic events to maintain quality and prevent abuse.
• Support Communications: information you provide when contacting support (e.g., email content, attachments) to resolve your requests.
• Device information: device type, operating system, app version, and other device information.

We do not intentionally collect sensitive categories of data unless required for compliance (e.g., KYC) and will present clear notices and controls where applicable. We do not collect or store wallet private keys, seed phrases, or wallet passcodes.

How We Collect Information

• Directly from you: when you create an account, set or update a profile, connect a wallet, or contact support.
• Automatically: through required technical logs and events generated by your use of BUZZNOB (e.g., device type, app version, feature usage) to maintain performance and security.
• From third parties: when you choose to sign in with Google or use Particle Network wallet/auth, we receive limited information necessary to complete authentication and provide the requested functionality.

How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide the service: operate core features, display content, track progress (e.g., points, streaks), and maintain your account and preferences.
• Authentication and security: verify your identity, prevent unauthorized access, detect and mitigate fraud and abuse, and secure sessions and requests.
• Wallet functionality (via Particle Network): enable wallet creation/connection and request signatures you initiate. BUZZNOB does not custody wallets, does not hold private keys, and cannot initiate transactions on your behalf; cryptographic operations are handled by Particle's SDK per your explicit actions.
• Performance and troubleshooting: monitor reliability, analyze feature use, diagnose issues, and improve stability and speed.
• Communications: send service-related messages (e.g., changes to terms, security notifications) and respond to your support requests.
• Legal compliance: satisfy legal and regulatory obligations (e.g., KYC where required), enforce our Terms, and protect our users and systems.

Where required by law, we rely on one or more lawful bases to process your information, including performance of a contract (providing BUZZNOB), legitimate interests (security, improvement), legal obligations (compliance), and your consent where applicable.

Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for their independent use. We do not disclose personal information to third parties other than trusted service providers acting on our behalf, under contract, and only to the extent necessary to operate BUZZNOB.

• No third‑party sharing: We do not share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing or purposes.
• Service providers (processors): infrastructure hosting, authentication, and similar vendors that process data strictly under our instructions and confidentiality obligations. They are not permitted to use your information for their own purposes.
• For legal reasons: When required by law, to protect rights and safety, and to prevent fraud or abuse.
• In business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, subject to continuity of protections.
• De‑identified/aggregated data: Information that does not reasonably identify you.

Wallet data: We do not have access to your private keys or seed phrases and do not disclose wallet credentials. Public wallet addresses may be used to provide features you request but are not shared for third‑party marketing.

Wallets and Particle Network

BUZZNOB integrates with Particle Network to provide wallet features. Particle Network is the wallet infrastructure provider and performs cryptographic operations through its SDK and services. The following principles apply:

• No custody by BUZZNOB: BUZZNOB does not create, hold, or manage your wallet, and we do not act as a custodian of your digital assets.
• No access to private keys: BUZZNOB does not have access to your wallet's private keys, seed phrases, recovery information, or wallet passcodes. We cannot view, export, or reconstruct them.
• User-directed actions: Any signature or transaction requests are initiated by you. Particle's SDK handles cryptographic signing per your explicit actions and settings.
• No transaction control: BUZZNOB cannot initiate, approve, or reverse transactions on your behalf. Execution occurs on supported networks via Particle's infrastructure and the underlying blockchain.
• Limited data to operate: We may receive non-sensitive metadata necessary to enable wallet-related features (e.g., a public wallet address you connect, success/failure status of a request).
• Your responsibility: You are responsible for safeguarding your wallet credentials, recovery materials, and device. If you suspect compromise, take immediate steps with your wallet provider (Particle Network) and your device settings.

Third-Party Providers

These providers operate components necessary for BUZZNOB to function and may independently collect limited technical information under their own policies (for example, to provide their services securely). We review their terms and data practices:

• Authentication/Wallet: Particle Network. Particle provides the wallet infrastructure and cryptographic operations. BUZZNOB does not control or have access to your wallet's private keys or seed phrases.
• Analytics providers (Google Analytics)
• Advertising: Appodeal and Google AdMob (uses Advertising ID and device signals).
• Wallet provider (Particle Network)
• Cloud storage providers (Cloudflare)
• Platform Services: Expo modules used within BUZZNOB (e.g., image picker, clipboard) to enable device-level capabilities you invoke.
• Networking: API requests to and from Particle RPC endpoints as needed to deliver wallet/network features you choose to use.
• News and Article Content: BUZZNOB contains news articles, content, and information sourced from third-party providers and public news sources. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not reflect BUZZNOB's views or endorsements. We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of third-party content.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services. You can find them below:

• Particle Network: https://developers.particle.network/intro/tos/privacy-policy
• Google Play Services: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Appodeal: https://www.appodeal.com/privacy-policy
• Cloudflare: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/

Your continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the privacy policy of all our third-party services. If you do not agree to any of the terms in these privacy policies, please stop using BUZZNOB and all of its services immediately.

Permissions Used (Android)

• Internet: Required for network connectivity and API communication
• Network State: Checks network connectivity for offline/online functionality
• Wake Lock: Keeps screen on during certain activities (e.g., reading articles)
• Vibrate: Provides haptic feedback for user interactions

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

Types of cookies:

• Essential cookies: Required for basic app functionality
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our app
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Marketing cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements

You can control cookie settings through your device preferences, but disabling certain cookies may affect app functionality.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention periods:

• Account information: Until account deletion or 1 year of inactivity
• Usage data: 2 years for analytics and improvement
• Marketing data: Until you opt out or 1 year of inactivity

We will securely delete or anonymize your information when it's no longer needed.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Security measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication systems
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

International Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards for such transfers (for example, contractual protections like Standard Contractual Clauses) and take steps to ensure your data receives a comparable level of protection.

Children's Privacy

BUZZNOB is not directed to children under 18 (or the age required by local law). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child provided personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action, including deletion where required.

Your Rights and Choices

• Access, Update, Delete: You can request access to or deletion of your personal information, subject to verification.
• Opt-Out of Ads Personalization: You can reset/limit your device's advertising ID in system settings and opt out of personalized ads where supported by our ad partners.
• Permissions: You can grant or revoke BUZZNOB permissions in device settings; features relying on those permissions may not function without them.
• Data Portability: Where applicable, you may request a copy of your information in a portable format.
• Regional Rights: If you are in the EEA/UK or California, you may have additional rights under GDPR/CCPA. We honor applicable requests consistent with law.

To exercise your rights, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity (for example, by requesting certain information) to protect your account and data.

Data Export and Deletion

You can request a copy of your data or deletion of your account by contacting us. Where options within BUZZNOB are provided (e.g., data export endpoints), you may also use those features. When you request deletion, we will delete or de‑identify personal information unless we are required to retain it (e.g., for legal compliance, security, or dispute resolution). Some information may persist in backups for a limited period.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post updates here and revise the "Last updated" date. If we make material changes, we may provide additional notice (for example, in‑app messages or emails).

Contact Us

If you have questions or requests about this Privacy Policy or your information, contact us:

Email: support@buzznob.xyz

Controller and DPO

BUZZNOB (part of BUZZNOB ENTERPRISE) is the controller of your personal information where applicable. For privacy inquiries, including GDPR requests, you may contact us at support@buzznob.xyz. If a Data Protection Officer (DPO) designation is required under local law, the DPO can be reached via the same address and will route your request appropriately.

KYC Processing (where enabled)

If Know Your Customer (KYC) features are enabled for your account or region, we collect only the information required to verify your identity and comply with applicable regulations. KYC processing is performed by our vetted verification provider acting as our processor. We use encrypted transmission and storage, strictly control access, and retain KYC records only as long as necessary for compliance and legal obligations. Where permitted, we de‑identify or delete KYC information once no longer required.

Do Not Track

Some browsers transmit a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Because there is no common industry standard for DNT handling, BUZZNOB does not respond to DNT signals. We honor applicable platform privacy settings and offer in‑app choices where relevant.

Regional Disclosures

EEA/UK (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom (UK), you have rights under the GDPR/UK GDPR, including the right to request access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and data portability. You also have the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

We process personal data on the following legal bases: (i) to perform our contract with you (provide BUZZNOB); (ii) our legitimate interests (security, improvement, preventing abuse), provided these are not overridden by your interests or fundamental rights; (iii) compliance with legal obligations (e.g., KYC, tax, accounting); and (iv) your consent where required (you may withdraw at any time).

International Transfers: Where personal data is transferred outside the EEA/UK, we implement appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses and take steps to ensure equivalent protection.

You may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns first at support@buzznob.xyz.

California and U.S. State Privacy (CCPA/CPRA and similar)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to request: (i) access to the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collected about you; (ii) deletion of personal information (subject to exceptions); (iii) correction of inaccurate personal information; and (iv) information about our data practices. BUZZNOB does not sell or share personal information as defined by the CCPA/CPRA.

You may submit requests by contacting support@buzznob.xyz. We will verify your request using information associated with your account (for example, by asking you to confirm details). You may use an authorized agent to submit a request on your behalf; we may require proof of authorization and identity verification. BUZZNOB will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

Similar rights may apply in other U.S. states (e.g., Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah). We will honor applicable requests consistent with those state laws.