Privacy Policy - I Need A Friend

Last Updated: June 10, 2025

At “I Need A Friend”, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of any personal information you share with us.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you use our website and services.

By accessing or using our platform, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@ineedafriendnow.com.

1. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide our services and improve your experience. This may include:

Personal Information: When you book a session or create an account, we may collect your name, email address, phone number (if provided for calls), and payment details.
Scheduling Data: Information related to your booked sessions, such as dates, times, and preferences for chat or call formats.
Communication Data: Records of your interactions with our support team or feedback you provide in written form.
Technical Data: Automatically collected data such as IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage patterns through cookies or similar technologies (see our Cookie Policy below).

We do not record or store the content of your conversations during chat or call sessions. Our focus is on providing a safe, private space for you to connect.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used solely to facilitate and improve our services, including:

Processing bookings and payments for one-on-one sessions or couples support.
Communicating with you about your scheduled sessions, account updates, or customer support inquiries.
Verifying your age to ensure compliance with our 18+ policy.
Analyzing website usage to enhance functionality and user experience (in an anonymized form).
Complying with legal obligations or responding to lawful requests.

We do not use your data for marketing purposes without your explicit consent, nor do we share personal details about your life experiences or session content.

3. How We Protect Your Data

We take the security of your information seriously and implement reasonable measures to protect it from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These measures include:

Encryption of sensitive data, such as payment information, during transmission and storage.
Secure storage of personal information on protected servers with restricted access.
Regular reviews of our security practices to address potential vulnerabilities.

While we strive to safeguard your data, no online platform can guarantee absolute security.
We encourage you to use strong passwords and avoid sharing sensitive personal details during sessions.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your data only in the following circumstances:

With trusted service providers who assist in operating our website and services (e.g., payment processors, scheduling tools), under strict confidentiality agreements.
When required by law, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or other legal process.
To protect the safety and rights of “I Need A Friend”, our users, or the public, as permitted by law.

Any shared data is limited to what is necessary for the specific purpose and is handled in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have control over your personal information and can exercise the following rights, subject to applicable laws:

Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction: Update or correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion: Request the removal of your data from our systems, though we may retain certain information for legal or operational reasons.
Opt-Out: Decline to receive non-essential communications, if applicable.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [insert support email].
We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe, in accordance with legal requirements.

6. Cookie Policy

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality and understand user behavior.
Cookies may track basic usage patterns, such as pages visited or session duration.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, though disabling cookies may affect certain features of our site.
We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal information or track conversation content.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. For example:

Account and booking data are kept for the duration of your relationship with us, plus a reasonable period for record-keeping.
Payment information is retained only as long as needed for transaction processing and legal compliance.
Technical data, such as logs, may be kept for a limited time to troubleshoot issues or improve services.

Once data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

8. International Data Transfers

If you are located outside the region where our servers are hosted, your data may be transferred across borders.
We ensure that any international transfer complies with applicable privacy laws and includes appropriate safeguards to protect your information.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites or resources (e.g., emergency crisis services).
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites.
We encourage you to review their policies before sharing personal information.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your data.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please reach out to us.
We are committed to addressing your inquiries promptly and transparently.

Disclaimer:
“I Need A Friend” is not a medical or therapeutic service.
We do not provide professional counseling or advice, and our interactions are strictly platonic.
For emergencies or mental health crises, please contact appropriate local resources or helplines.