Information we collect
We collect only what we need to deliver a secure, intelligent proximity-networking experience.
Sign-in details. You can sign in with your email address (verified by a one-time passcode, or OTP), your Google account or your LinkedIn account. On iPhone, you can also use Sign in with Apple. When you sign in with Google, LinkedIn or Apple, we receive only your name, email address and, where available, your profile photo. If you choose Apple’s “Hide My Email”, we receive a private relay address instead. We never see or store your passwords.
Profile details you add. Your name, profile photo, professional headline, industry, bio, interests and any prompts you answer.
While you use the app. With your permission, we use your device location while KINJO is open to find people near you.
In the background (optional). If you choose “Allow all the time” on Android or “Always” on iOS, we continue to use your location when the app is closed or your screen is off, so your profile can still be shown to people nearby. This is your choice and never required.
Location is only collected while Visibility is turned on by you.
How we use information
We use your information strictly for product functionality, safety and operational purposes:
- Account Creation & Authentication: To register your account, sign you in by email OTP, Google, LinkedIn or Apple, and prevent fraudulent sign-ups.
- Proximity Discovery: To calculate proximity between users who have both turned on Visibility, so you can see who is around you. If you allow background location, this also keeps your profile visible to people nearby when the app is closed or your screen is off.
- Profile Card Delivery: To assemble and display your profile card to people nearby.
- Push Notifications (optional): If you allow notifications, to tell you when someone is nearby and to share news from KINJO partner venues near you, such as a launch or a special. You can turn these off at any time.
- Safety & Community Integrity: To investigate reported misconduct, enforce our Community Guidelines and block abusive users.
Strict No-Sale & No-Tracking Pledge: We do not sell, rent or trade your personal data or location to data brokers, advertisers or anyone else. We do not use your location for advertising or to track you across other apps.
Location & proximity data (Prominent disclosure)
- Opt-In Visibility Only: Proximity detection is OFF by default. Location is only used when you turn on “Visibility” in the app.
- Background Location Disclosure: KINJO uses your location while the app is open to show you people nearby. If you also allow “all the time” location access (“Allow all the time” on Android, “Always” on iOS), KINJO collects location data in the background, even when the app is closed or not in use, to keep your profile visible to people nearby. This happens only while Visibility is on, and it is never mandatory. If you say no, KINJO still works whenever the app is open.
- No Live Map or Coordinate Sharing: Your location is never shared with anyone. Other users see only that you are nearby, never your GPS coordinates, your address or your path on a map. We do not share your location with partner venues, advertisers, sign-in providers or any other third party, and we do not keep a history of where you have been.
- Instant Deactivation & Permission Revocation: You can turn off Visibility at any moment with a single tap in the app. You can also change location access to “While using the app”, “Ask every time” or “Never” in your device settings at any time.
How information is shared with other users
KINJO is built to replace awkward small talk with meaningful introductions. When you are visible, people nearby can see:
- Your first name (and last initial or full name, as you choose).
- Your profile photograph.
- Your professional headline, industry and bio summary.
What is NEVER shared with other users:
Your location, GPS coordinates, email address, phone number, device identifiers, or the account you used to sign in.
Third-party service providers & SDKs
We work with vetted providers who supply the technical infrastructure needed to run KINJO. They act only on our instructions and process only what they need.
- Google Play Services: Device location services on Android, and sign-in with Google. On iOS, the same role is played by Apple’s location services, Sign in with Apple and Apple Push Notification service. Sign-in with LinkedIn is provided by LinkedIn.
- Google Firebase: Push notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging) and crash reporting.
- Transactional Email Providers (e.g., Brevo / Sendinblue): To send one-time passcodes and service emails.
- Cloud Infrastructure & Databases: Secure hosting for the Service.
Account & data deletion (Google Play compliance)
You own your data. You can delete your account and personal data at any time.
Method 1: In-App Account Deletion
- Open the KINJO app on your device.
- Go to Profile → Settings → Account → Delete Account.
- Confirm your request. Your account and active sessions will be ended immediately.
Method 2: Web / Online Deletion Request (without reinstalling the app)
- Visit our Account Deletion Page (kinjo.world/delete-account) to submit a request online, or email hello@kinjo.world.
- Please send the request from the email address linked to your KINJO account so we can verify ownership.
- Our support team will process your request and confirm deletion within 48 hours.
When you delete your account, your profile is immediately removed from proximity matching. If you signed in with Apple, we also revoke KINJO’s access to your Apple ID. Within 30 days, all your personal data, including profile photos, bio text, sign-in credentials and usage records, is permanently deleted from our systems, unless the law requires us to keep it longer.
You can also remove KINJO’s access at any time from your Google, LinkedIn or Apple account settings.
Data retention
We keep your personal data only while your account is active or as needed to provide the Service.
Location points are processed in memory or stored only for brief operational windows to calculate proximity, then discarded. We do not build a location history.
When you delete your account, all personal data is permanently deleted within 30 days, except where we must keep limited records to meet legal obligations or resolve disputes.
Data security & storage
We use modern technical, organisational and physical measures to safeguard your personal information.
- Encryption in Transit: All communication between the KINJO app, website and our servers is encrypted using TLS.
- Access Controls: Access to user databases is restricted to authorised personnel who need it to run the Service.
No internet transmission or storage method can guarantee absolute security, but we work continuously to protect your data.
Your privacy rights & choices
- Access & Portability: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Rectification: Update or correct your profile details anytime in the app.
- Erasure: Request deletion of your account and data, as set out in Section 06.
- Permission Controls: Location (while using the app or all the time) and notifications are your choice. You can grant or withdraw them at any time in your device settings.
- Objection & Restriction: Object to or ask us to restrict certain processing by contacting our privacy team.
Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect improvements to the Service, technical updates or legal requirements.
When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and let you know in the app or on our website before they take effect.
Continued use of KINJO after such updates means you accept the revised Policy.
Contact us
If you have any questions, concerns or requests about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please get in touch.