Privacy Policy of Positive Singles

1. Who We Are and How to Contact Us

PositiveSingles UK is a supportive dating community for people living with herpes, HIV, HPV and other STDs. If you have privacy questions, wish to exercise your rights, or need help with your account, please contact our support team. We respond as quickly as possible and prioritise sensitive matters.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in three main ways: you provide it directly, we collect it automatically when you use the service, and sometimes we receive it from third parties (for example, payment providers or verification services). Categories include:

• Account data: email, username, password, age, location region, and preferences you choose to share.
• Profile content: bio, photos, interests, relationship goals, and optional health status disclosure you voluntarily provide (e.g., HSV‑1/HSV‑2, HIV, HPV, other).
• Communication: messages, chat history, likes, reports, blocks, and event RSVPs.
• Usage and device data: log files, IP address, device type, browser version, pages viewed, time spent, and referral source.
• Payment and subscription data: plan type, transaction IDs, and billing status if you upgrade to premium. We do not store full card numbers; payments are processed by PCI‑compliant providers.
• Cookies and similar tech: used for login sessions, preferences, analytics, and optional marketing where permitted.

3. Special Category Data (Health Information)

Disclosing your health status is voluntary. If you choose to add health information to your profile, we treat it as special category data. We process it only for the purpose of providing stigma‑free matching, community support, and relevant features you opt into. We never sell your health info to advertisers. You can remove health details at any time in settings.

4. How We Use Your Information

• To create and maintain your account, authenticate logins, and provide the core service.
• To match and connect you with other members based on your preferences.
• To enable messaging, chat, private albums, events, and community features.
• To improve safety, including fraud detection, abuse prevention, and moderation.
• To analyse usage and improve website or app performance.
• To communicate with you about updates, tips, promotions, and changes (you can opt out of marketing).
• To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities.

5. Legal Bases Under GDPR

We rely on several lawful bases for processing under UK GDPR and EU GDPR where applicable:

• Contract: to provide the service you request by creating an account.
• Consent: for special category data you voluntarily disclose and for certain cookies or marketing.
• Legitimate interests: improving safety, preventing fraud, and enhancing user experience balanced against your rights.
• Legal obligation: complying with tax, consumer, and regulatory requirements.

6. Sharing Your Information

We share limited information with trusted partners to operate the service:

• Payment processors for subscriptions and upgrades.
• Hosting and cloud providers to run the platform securely.
• Analytics tools to understand usage and improve features.
• Verification and anti‑fraud services to protect the community.
• Legal authorities when required by law or to protect rights, safety, and property.

We do not sell personal data. We require partners to protect data and act only on our documented instructions.

7. International Transfers

We may process data outside the UK/EU using appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses, adequacy decisions, or equivalent protections. We assess vendor practices and review security controls regularly.

8. Data Retention

We keep data only as long as necessary to provide the service and for legitimate business or legal purposes. Typical retention periods vary based on account status, subscription history, and safety considerations. When you delete your account, we begin the deletion process; some records may be retained for fraud prevention and compliance within legally permitted timeframes.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

• Access your data and receive a copy.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of data (“right to be forgotten”).
• Object to or restrict processing in certain circumstances.
• Data portability for information you provided.
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing relies on consent.

To exercise rights, please contact our support team. We may need to verify your identity to protect your account and community safety.

10. Cookies and Controls

Cookies help us keep you logged in, remember preferences, and measure performance. You can manage cookies in browser settings and via consent tools where provided. Disabling essential cookies may limit service functionality.

11. Security Measures

We implement layered security controls including encryption in transit, hardened infrastructure, access controls, monitoring, and periodic reviews. No system is perfectly secure; your role matters too. Strengthen safety by using a private password, enabling device locks, keeping apps updated, and never sharing verification codes with anyone.

12. Safety and Privacy Tips

• Use anonymous usernames if you prefer not to reveal your name initially.
• Keep photos in private albums; share selectively with trusted members.
• Use in‑app messaging rather than sharing your phone number immediately.
• Verify profiles through photo verification or video chat before meeting.
• Meet in public places and tell a trusted contact where you’re going.

13. Children’s Privacy

Our services are for adults 18+. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

14. Marketing and Preferences

We may send service announcements, tips, and promotions. You can opt out of marketing while still receiving essential notices about your account, safety, or policy updates. Manage preferences in settings or by using unsubscribe links.

15. Complaints

If you have concerns about our data practices, please contact us first—we aim to resolve issues quickly and fairly. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) or your local data protection authority.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our services evolve or legal requirements change. We will post updates here and indicate the effective date. Material changes may be communicated via email or a site notice.

17. Contact

For privacy requests, data questions, or security reports, please contact our support team. We treat sensitive issues with the highest priority and strive to respond promptly.