Privacy Policy
Last updated: Jun. 13th, 2026
Welcome to Privacy at ArroundU
We built ArroundU to bring people closer, but never at the cost of your privacy.
That's why we want to be super clear about what we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, who we share it with, and how long we keep it.
This Privacy Policy ("Policy") is our way of telling you, in plain language, how your data lives inside ArroundU. No legal maze, no small print. Just the facts, explained in a way that makes sense.
Your use of ArroundU is also subject to our Terms & Conditions. Please read those too — together they form the rules of using ArroundU.
If you ever have a question, drop us a note at support@arroundu.com. We'll get back to you as fast as we can.
Who can use ArroundU
- • ArroundU is not for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect or store data from anyone under 13, and if we discover such data, we will delete it immediately.
- • If you are 13–17, your parent or guardian should know you're using ArroundU and may request review or deletion of your data.
- • If you're 18+, welcome aboard.
Who we are
ArroundU is run by ArroundU Inc., based in New York, USA.
When we say "data," we mean anything that identifies you directly (like your username, email, or photo) or indirectly (like your device ID or location radius).
As the "controller" of your data, we are responsible for keeping it safe, using it only in the ways we explain here, and respecting your rights.
What data we collect
We collect three types of data:
1. Data you provide us
- • Account info: Username, email, password.
- • Profile info: Profile picture and bio (optional).
- • Messages & media: Text, images, videos, scheduled messages you send.
- • Contacts: If you choose to sync them, to invite people you may know.
- • Support info: Data you send us when you reach out (emails, screenshots, issue details).
2. Data from your activity
- • Nearby presence: If you're within ~1 km (0.6 miles) of another user. We never share your exact address or a live map — just "you're close."
- • Search: If you type in someone's name to look them up.
- • Interactions: Who you follow, who follows you, who you block.
- • Device info: Things like crash logs, app version, phone model, OS, IP address.
3. Data from others
- • Other users: When someone follows, blocks, or interacts with you.
- • Partners: App stores, analytics, or notification providers.
- • Authorities: Only if legally required.
Why we collect your data
We use your data to:
- • Power the app (accounts, nearby list, search, following, chatting).
- • Show who's nearby without exposing your exact location.
- • Let you look up people by name.
- • Keep ArroundU safe and respectful (blocking system).
- • Improve the app by fixing bugs and tracking performance.
- • Talk to you when you need help.
- • Comply with laws and protect users if something goes wrong.
We never sell your data.
Who can access your data
- • Other users: Your profile (username, photo, bio, stories, followers/following).
- • Our team: Limited access, only when needed to keep the app running or solve problems.
- • Service providers: Hosting, analytics, and notifications.
- • Legal authorities: If the law requires it.
- • If ArroundU is acquired: Data may transfer to the new company, but this same Privacy Policy will still apply.
How long we keep your data
We generally retain your personal data while your ArroundU account remains active and for only as long as necessary to provide the Services, maintain security, resolve disputes, and comply with legal obligations.
You may delete individual profile information or content where the app provides that option. You may also permanently delete your ArroundU account through the app or request deletion through:
https://arroundu.com/delete-account/
When your account is deleted, we delete or anonymize associated personal data unless limited retention is required for legal, security, fraud-prevention, dispute-resolution, or compliance purposes.
Some residual copies may remain temporarily in encrypted backups until they are overwritten through our normal backup-retention process.
Account deletion and data retention
You may permanently delete your ArroundU account and request deletion of the data associated with it.
Delete your account inside the app
You can delete your account directly from the ArroundU mobile app:
- Open ArroundU.
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the Settings gear icon.
- Select Delete Account.
- Follow the confirmation steps.
Request deletion through our website
If you cannot access the app, you may submit an account deletion request at:
https://arroundu.com/delete-account/
We may contact you at the email address associated with your account to verify that you own the account before processing the request.
What happens when your account is deleted
After verification, we will delete or anonymize data associated with your account, where applicable, including:
- • Your account profile
- • Username, email address, profile photo, and bio
- • Posts and stories
- • Follow and follower relationships
- • Direct and scheduled messages associated with your account
- • Uploaded photos, videos, and other user-generated content
- • Location-related account data
- • Account preferences and settings
Deleting your account is permanent and cannot be undone.
Information we may retain
We may retain limited information when reasonably necessary for:
- • Legal or regulatory obligations
- • Fraud prevention
- • Security investigations
- • Dispute resolution
- • Enforcement of our Terms & Conditions
- • Protecting ArroundU, our users, or the public
Any retained information will only be used for those purposes and kept for as long as reasonably necessary.
Processing time
After we verify your request, we aim to process account deletion within 30 days. Residual copies may remain temporarily in backups or disaster-recovery systems until those backups are securely overwritten or deleted through our normal retention cycle.
Our legal bases
Depending on your location, we process your data based on:
- • Contract: To provide the services you signed up for.
- • Legitimate interest: To improve features, prevent abuse, and keep ArroundU secure.
- • Consent: When you give permissions (like contacts or location). You can turn them off in your phone settings anytime.
- • Legal obligation: When the law requires us to keep or share something.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- • Access: Ask what personal data we hold about you.
- • Correct: Update inaccurate or outdated information.
- • Delete: Permanently delete your account and associated data.
- • Withdraw consent: Turn off permissions such as contacts or location through your device settings.
- • Control visibility: Stop appearing in nearby discovery.
- • Block: Prevent another user from contacting or interacting with you.
- • Object or restrict: Request limits on certain uses of your personal data where applicable.
- • Data portability: Request a copy of certain personal data where required by law.
You can delete your account inside the ArroundU app through Profile → Settings → Delete Account, or submit a request at:
https://arroundu.com/delete-account/
For other privacy requests, email support@arroundu.com.
Cookie & Tracking Policy
Like most apps and websites, ArroundU may use cookies and similar technologies to make things work smoothly and to understand how people use our app.
- • What we use → basic cookies, device IDs, and analytics tools.
- • Why we use them → to keep you logged in, improve performance, and see what features people like.
- • No creepy tracking → we don't sell your browsing data or follow you across random websites.
- • Your choice → you can disable cookies in your browser or phone settings, but some features may not work properly.
Accessibility
We want ArroundU to be open and usable by as many people as possible.
- • If you face accessibility issues (for example: vision, hearing, mobility, or other challenges), please let us know at support@arroundu.com.
- • We're always working to improve and will do our best to address concerns quickly.
International transfers & Disputes
ArroundU is based in the United States. All of our main servers and operations are located in the U.S. However, if we work with trusted service providers outside the U.S., your data may be processed in other countries. Whenever this happens, we apply the same safeguards described in this Policy, including encryption, secure servers, and compliance with GDPR (Europe), UK privacy laws, and similar protections worldwide.
Disputes about this Policy follow the same dispute resolution process set out in our Terms & Conditions.
Changes to this Policy
As ArroundU grows, this Privacy Policy will grow too. We'll update it if we launch new features, if laws change, or if we improve how we explain things.
- • If the changes are minor (like fixing wording), we may just update this page.
- • If the changes are big (like how we handle your data), we'll let you know clearly in the app or by email before they take effect.
The "last updated" date at the bottom will always show you the latest version.
Data Summary Table
| Data type | Why we collect it | Legal basis | How long we keep it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account info (username, email, password) | To create and manage your account | Contract | Retained while the account is active, then deleted or anonymized after account deletion, except where limited retention is legally or operationally required |
| Profile info (photo, bio) | To personalize your profile | Consent | Retained until the user removes it or deletes the account |
| Messages & media | To enable chats and scheduled messages | Contract | Retained while needed to provide messaging features, then deleted or anonymized where applicable after account deletion, subject to backup and legal retention |
| Contacts (if synced) | To suggest people you may know | Consent | Retained until syncing is turned off, then deleted or anonymized where applicable after account deletion unless limited retention is required |
| Nearby presence | To show if you're within ~1 km (0.6 miles) | Consent | Retained only while the feature is active or location permissions are enabled, then deleted or anonymized where applicable after account deletion unless limited retention is required |
| Search data | To let you find people by name | Contract | Deleted or anonymized after account deletion unless limited retention is required |
| Interactions (follows, blocks) | To power features and safety | Legitimate interest | Deleted or anonymized after account deletion unless limited retention is required |
| Device info (IP, OS, crashes) | To secure, fix, and improve the app | Legitimate interest | Retained only for a limited period necessary for security, fraud prevention, legal compliance, troubleshooting, or dispute resolution |
| Support data | To respond to your help requests | Legitimate interest | Retained only for a limited period necessary for security, fraud prevention, legal compliance, troubleshooting, or dispute resolution |
| Data from others | To operate services or comply with law | Legal obligation / Legitimate interest | Deleted or anonymized after account deletion unless limited retention is required for legal or operational purposes |
Contact us
- • For privacy/legal: support@arroundu.com
- • For casual/community: hey@arroundu.com
Our Promise
We're not some big tech company trying to harvest your data for profit. We're building ArroundU to help real people make real connections.
Your privacy isn't a product we sell. It's a promise we keep.
Thanks for trusting us with your data. We don't take that lightly. ✨