This Privacy Policy describes how Zyke collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards information when you use our website, applications, and related services (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you acknowledge the practices described in this Policy.

1. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use Zyke, we may collect:

• Account data: username, email (if provided), encrypted password hash, and account timestamps.
• Profile data: profile photo, banner image, bio, region, and optional social handles (such as X username).
• Login identity data: Google account identifier when social login is used.
• User content: posts, comments, poll responses, community descriptions, and uploaded media links.
• Engagement data: votes, bookmarks, follows/subscriptions, notifications, reports, moderation actions, and membership status in communities.
• Technical/session data: signed session cookie, request metadata, and basic security/rate-limit signals.
• Usage and analytics data: page events and traffic signals via Google Analytics (gtag).

2. How We Use Information

• Provide core forum functionality (accounts, communities, posts, comments, notifications).
• Authenticate users and keep sessions secure.
• Prevent abuse, spam, fraud, and enforce moderation policies.
• Improve product performance, discoverability, and user experience.
• Support platform communications, account support, and service announcements.

3. Legal Bases for Processing

Where applicable, we process personal data on one or more of the following bases:

• Performance of a contract (for example, account creation and service delivery).
• Legitimate interests (for example, security, fraud prevention, and product improvement).
• Consent (for example, certain optional integrations or analytics settings where required).
• Compliance with legal obligations.

4. Cookies, Local Storage, and Similar Technologies

• A signed session cookie is used to keep you logged in.
• Theme preference may be stored in local storage.
• Analytics technologies may be used to understand traffic and usage trends.

5. Third-Party Services

Zyke integrates with third parties to operate features, including:

• Google (OAuth login and analytics).
• Cloudinary (media hosting and delivery).
• Embedded content providers (for example X/Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok) when content embeds are shown.

These providers may process data under their own policies. We recommend reviewing their privacy terms directly.

6. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We may share limited data:

• With service providers that help us run Zyke.
• When required by law, legal process, or to protect users and the platform.
• In connection with major business changes (for example merger, acquisition, or asset transfer), subject to applicable law.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. Where required, we use reasonable contractual and organizational safeguards to protect transferred data.

8. Data Retention

We retain data for as long as needed to provide the service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce platform rules. Some records may remain in backups or logs for a limited period.

9. Your Choices and Rights

• You can edit profile information and much of your account content in-app.
• You can request account and data support by contacting us.
• You may be able to delete content and request account deletion, subject to safety/legal retention needs.

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional rights such as access, correction, deletion, portability, objection, or restriction of processing. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.

10. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards, but no method of storage or transmission is completely secure. Please use a strong password and protect your account access.

11. Children

Zyke is not intended for children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction). If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us so we can investigate and remove it where appropriate.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material updates may be posted in-product or on this page. Continued use of Zyke after updates means you accept the revised policy.

13. Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact [email protected].