📚 Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Welcome to Read With Me! This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our mobile application.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Display name
• Profile photo (optional)
• Reading preferences and interests

Reading Activity

To provide personalized features, we collect:

• Books you add to your library
• Reading progress and completion dates
• Book ratings and reviews
• Reading goals and statistics

Social Features

If you use social features, we collect:

• Friend connections
• Book club memberships
• Comments and discussions
• Shared reading activities

Device Information

We automatically collect:

• Device type and operating system
• App version
• Crash reports and performance data
• General location (country/region) for recommendations

Camera and Photos

With your permission, we may access:

• Camera - To take photos for your profile picture or to scan book covers/barcodes for easy book lookup
• Photo Library - To select existing photos for your profile or book club images

Camera and photo access is optional. You can use the app without granting these permissions, though some features may be limited.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and improve our services
• Personalize book recommendations
• Track your reading progress and statistics
• Enable social features and connections
• Send important service notifications
• Analyze app performance and fix issues

3. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely using Firebase services provided by Google. We implement industry-standard security measures including:

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure authentication
• Firebase Security Rules to protect data access
• Regular security audits

4. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

• Firebase (Google) - Authentication, database, storage, analytics, and crash reporting
• Google Books API - Book information and cover images
• Bookshop.org - Affiliate links to purchase books (we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you)

Each service has its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review them.

5. Data Sharing

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

• With other users based on your privacy settings (friends, book clubs)
• With service providers who help operate our app
• When required by law or to protect rights and safety

6. Marketplace (“Pass It On”) Data Handling

Shipping Address Disclosure

When you purchase or sell a book through our marketplace, shipping labels are generated containing:

• Buyer’s full shipping address (name, street, city, state, postal code, country, phone number) as the delivery destination
• Seller’s return address as required by postal carriers

This disclosure is required by all postal carriers and cannot be omitted or hidden. By using the marketplace, you consent to your shipping address appearing on carrier-compliant shipping labels. If you wish to keep your home address private, we recommend using a PO Box or virtual business address.

Third-Party Shipping Services

Shipping addresses are shared with our label generation provider (Shippo) and the relevant postal carrier (e.g., USPS, Australia Post, Royal Mail) to fulfill delivery. These services have their own privacy policies.

Payment Processing

Marketplace payments are processed by PayPal. We do not store your credit card information. PayPal’s privacy policy governs payment data handling.

Transaction Records

We retain transaction records (order details, shipping tracking) for up to 3 years to support dispute resolution and comply with legal requirements.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Update or correct your information
• Delete your account and associated data
• Control your privacy settings
• Opt out of promotional communications

To exercise these rights, use the settings within the app or contact us directly.

8. Children's Privacy

Read With Me is designed for users of all ages who love reading. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

9. Data Retention

We retain your data as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or via email. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us