Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 15 October 2024

At Witteroo, your privacy is one of our top priorities. As a social networking platform designed to promote open communication and freedom of expression, we are committed to safeguarding your personal information while allowing you to engage freely on our platform. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, as well as our commitment to supporting free speech without unwarranted censorship.

By using Witteroo, you accept and agree to this Privacy Policy. Please take a moment to read it carefully to understand your rights, how we handle your data, and how we uphold the values of free expression.

1. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to enhance your experience on Witteroo and ensure the platform functions smoothly and securely. The information we collect falls into the following categories:

1.1 Personal Information

When you sign up for Witteroo or interact with certain features, you may voluntarily provide us with personal information, such as:

• Name and username
• Email address
• Phone number
• Profile picture and other optional details (e.g., bio, location)

If you choose to sign up through a third-party service (e.g., Google or Facebook), we may also collect certain personal information from that service, depending on the permissions you grant.

1.2 User-Generated Content

As a social network, Witteroo allows you to share and create content. This includes but is not limited to:

• Posts, comments, likes, and replies
• Photos, videos, and other media you upload
• Messages you send to other users through private or group chats

While we provide tools for you to control the visibility of your content (e.g., public vs. private posts), please be aware that any content you share publicly may be accessible to a wide audience.

1.3 Usage Data

To better understand how users interact with Witteroo, we collect technical information related to your use of the platform, such as:

• Pages and features you access
• Interaction metrics (e.g., likes, shares, posts viewed)
• Time and date of activities
• Search queries within the platform

This information helps us personalize your experience, optimize our services, and monitor the overall health of the platform.

1.4 Device and Technical Information

We automatically collect certain details about the devices you use to access Witteroo, including:

• Device type (e.g., mobile, desktop, tablet)
• IP address
• Operating system and browser type
• Mobile network information
• Device identifiers such as cookies and similar tracking technologies

This data allows us to enhance the security and functionality of our services, ensuring compatibility across devices and improving your overall experience.

1.5 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to:

• Keep you logged in during your session.
• Remember your preferences and settings.
• Analyze user behavior and improve the platform’s performance.

You can manage cookie settings through your browser. However, disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use specific features of Witteroo.

2. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect serves several important purposes, including:

2.1 Providing and Maintaining the Service

We use your information to deliver core functionality and personalized experiences, including:

• Allowing you to create and share content.
• Recommending posts, profiles, and groups that may interest you.
• Helping you discover trending topics and connect with other users.

2.2 Personalizing Content

We tailor your experience on Witteroo by:

• Suggesting posts and users based on your interactions.
• Displaying relevant advertisements (if applicable) without selling your personal information to advertisers.

2.3 Improving Our Platform

We use aggregated and anonymized data to understand usage trends, identify potential issues, and optimize Witteroo for a better user experience.

2.4 Ensuring Security

To protect our platform and its users, we monitor for suspicious activities, potential security threats, and breaches. This includes efforts to:

• Detect and prevent fraud, hacking attempts, and other malicious activity.
• Investigate potential violations of our terms of service or community guidelines.

2.5 Communicating with You

We may use your contact information to send you important updates, such as:

• Security alerts and notifications.
• Service-related announcements.
• Changes to this Privacy Policy or other terms.

We also use your information to respond to your inquiries, provide customer support, and resolve issues related to your account.

3. How We Share Your Information

At Witteroo, we respect your privacy and ensure that your personal information is not sold or shared with third parties without your consent, except as outlined below.

3.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We work with trusted partners to help us operate the platform, such as:

• Hosting services: To store and deliver content.
• Analytics providers: To help us understand how users interact with Witteroo.
• Customer support tools: To assist users with technical and account-related questions.

These providers may have access to your personal data but only to the extent necessary to perform their services on our behalf.

3.2 Legal Obligations

We may disclose your personal information if required by law, regulation, or in response to a valid legal process, such as:

• Court orders or subpoenas.
• Law enforcement requests or investigations.
• Compliance with governmental regulations.

3.3 Business Transfers

If Witteroo undergoes a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of such changes and your rights concerning the transfer of your data.

4. Your Rights and Choices

As a user, you have control over your personal data and how it is used. These rights include:

4.1 Access and Correction

You can access, update, and correct your account information directly through your account settings.

4.2 Data Portability

If you request, we will provide a copy of your data in a commonly used format for portability purposes.

4.3 Data Deletion

You can request the deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us at help@witteroo.com or at https://witteroo.com/contacts. Please note that deleting your account may not immediately remove all of your content from public visibility (e.g., comments on other users' posts).

4.4 Opt-Out of Marketing Communications

If you no longer wish to receive promotional messages, you can unsubscribe via the link in the email. However, you may still receive essential account-related communications (e.g., security alerts).

5. Security Measures

We employ a range of technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data, including encryption, regular security audits, and access controls. However, no online platform can be completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

6. Free Speech and Non-Censorship

Witteroo was founded on the belief that freedom of expression is essential to fostering a diverse and open community. We are committed to protecting lawful speech and will not engage in unwarranted censorship of user-generated content. You have the right to express your views and opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation.

However, we do maintain guidelines to ensure that Witteroo remains a safe and respectful platform for all users. While we support the free exchange of ideas, we reserve the right to moderate or remove content that:

• Violates the law or promotes illegal activities.
• Incites violence, hatred, or discrimination.
• Harasses or threatens others.

These guidelines are in place to strike a balance between free speech and maintaining a safe environment for all users.

7. Children's Privacy

Witteroo is not designed for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under this age. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will take immediate steps to delete it. If you believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

8. International Data Transfers

If you are located outside the country where Witteroo operates, your data may be transferred to, processed, and stored in a country with data protection laws that differ from your country of residence. We take appropriate steps to ensure that your personal data receives the same level of protection as it would in your home country.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal obligations. When we make significant updates, we will notify you through the platform or via email. Your continued use of Witteroo after such changes signifies your acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, or if you would like to exercise any of your rights, please contact us at:

• Email: help@witteroo.com
• Mailing Address:

Witteroo A/S

Sandefjord, Norway

Sandefjord, Vestfold 3210

Norway

Last Updated: 15 October 2024