Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us when you create an account, participate in predictions, join groups, or communicate with us. This includes:

• Account information such as your name, email address, username, and password.
• Profile information including your avatar, bio, and preferences.
• Prediction and activity data including your match predictions, group memberships, scores, and leaderboard standings.
• Communications you send to us, such as support requests or feedback.
• Device and usage information including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and how you interact with our platform.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to provide, maintain, and improve Kickmates, including to:

• Create and manage your account and authenticate your identity.
• Process and display your predictions, scores, and standings.
• Facilitate group creation, management, and member interactions.
• Send you notifications about match results, group activity, and platform updates.
• Personalize your experience and deliver relevant content.
• Analyze usage trends and improve platform performance and features.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

3. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With other Kickmates users as part of the platform's social features (e.g., your username, predictions, and scores within groups you join).
• With service providers who assist us in operating the platform, such as hosting, analytics, and email delivery services, under strict confidentiality agreements.
• If required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, with prior notice to you.
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of Kickmates, our users, or the public.

4. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using TLS/SSL protocols.
• Secure hashing of passwords — we never store your password in plain text.
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing.
• Access controls limiting employee access to personal data on a need-to-know basis.

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on Kickmates:

• Essential cookies required for authentication, security, and core platform functionality.
• Analytics cookies to understand how users interact with our platform and identify areas for improvement.
• Preference cookies to remember your settings and personalization choices.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the platform.

6. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions.
• Portability: Request a machine-readable copy of your data.
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time via your account settings or the unsubscribe link in emails.
• Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@kickmates.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our services. We may also retain certain information as required by law, to resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, or for legitimate business purposes. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 90 days, except where retention is required by law.

8. Third-Party Services

Kickmates may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services (such as OAuth providers for sign-in). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with through our platform.

9. Children's Privacy

Kickmates is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@kickmates.com.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. When we transfer your data internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards to ensure your information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of Kickmates after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@kickmates.com
• Support: Through the in-app support feature or Contact Us page.