Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how bloom ("bloom", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the bloom mobile and web application (the "Service"). bloom is a student-community platform for University of the Free State (UFS) students to find study partners, friends, and meaningful connections on their campus. By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

This document is a draft. The legal entity that operates bloom (the "Operator") and its contact details should be confirmed and inserted before this policy is relied upon. References to "we" and "us" refer to the Operator of the Service, and not to any individual person in their personal capacity.

1. Information We Collect

Account information: When you register, we collect your @ufs4life.ac.za email address and a password. Email verification is required to activate your account.

Profile information: To help you connect with others, you may provide details such as your first name, age or birth year, gender, gender preference, campus (Bloemfontein), intention (study buddies, romantic, just friends, or event buddy), faculty, year of study, residence status, courses, modules, interests, a short bio, and profile photographs.

Connection and messaging data: Records of connection requests, likes, matches, and the messages you send to other users.

Notifications data: In-app notifications (messages, requests, matches, events, and announcements) and, if you opt in, push notifications. You can manage push-notification consent during onboarding and in Settings at any time.

Events and announcements: Information you provide when creating or interacting with campus events and announcements.

Usage and technical data: Limited analytics about how you use the Service and basic device and session information, used to operate, secure, and improve the Service.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To create and verify your account and confirm you are a UFS student via your @ufs4life.ac.za email.
• To build and display your profile to other users for matching and connection purposes.
• To facilitate connection requests, matches, and in-app messaging.
• To show you campus-relevant events, announcements, and notifications.
• To play an audible notification chime and show toasts when new notifications arrive (if enabled).
• To operate, secure, monitor, and improve the Service, and to prevent misuse or harmful conduct.
• To comply with legal obligations.

3. Visibility of Your Information

Profile information you provide (such as your name, campus, faculty, photos, bio, interests, courses, and modules) is visible to other bloom users for the purpose of finding connections. Your private messages are visible to you and the recipient. Email addresses and passwords are not displayed publicly.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information on the basis of your consent when you register and use the Service, to perform the Service under our relationship with you, and to comply with legal obligations. You may withdraw consent for optional processing (such as push notifications) at any time in Settings.

5. Sharing and Disclosure

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

• With other users: as described above, to enable connections and messaging.
• With service providers: trusted third parties that help us operate the Service, such as hosting, authentication, database, and email-delivery providers. These providers process data on our behalf and under appropriate confidentiality and security obligations.
• For legal reasons: if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of bloom, our users, or others.

6. Data Retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. If you delete your account or request deletion, we will remove or anonymize your data, subject to legal retention requirements.

7. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including restricting access to records based on user roles. However, no system is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your account and associated data.
• Withdraw consent for optional processing such as push notifications.
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your data.

To exercise these rights, contact us through the in-app Settings page or the contact details provided by the Operator.

9. Cookies and Local Storage

The Service uses local storage and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and operate correctly. We do not use cookies for cross-site advertising tracking.

10. Children's Privacy

bloom is intended for university students who are 18 years or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has registered, please contact us so we can remove the account.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed by our service providers in countries other than your own. We take steps to ensure such transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through the Service. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact the Operator of bloom through the in-app Settings page or at the contact details to be confirmed by the Operator.