Bico ¨C Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 28, 2024

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy of Bico is updated as of November 28, 2024. Bico respects and values your privacy. The use of Bico through our mobile applications may involve the collection and use of your information. This policy explains and informs you how your information is collected, used, and disclosed by Bico in relation to your access and use of our Services through our mobile applications. By using Bico, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use Bico.

 

2. Application Scope of this Privacy Policy

By using Bico, you agree that we may collect, use, and share your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy forms part of the Bico Terms of Service. Any information that is collected is subject to the Privacy Policy in effect at the time such information is collected. We may modify and revise our Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make any material changes, we will notify you by posting on our website, through our services, or by sending an email or other notification. By continuing to access or use our services after the changes become effective, you are agreeing to be bound by the revised policy. Bico may link you to social media or other features or services provided by a third party. This Privacy Policy doesn't apply to the information collected by third-party websites, services, or applications that can be accessed through our services, or by other companies and organizations who advertise on Bico.

 

3. Information You Provide and We Collect

3.1 Information Collected

To provide the services of Bico, we collect, store, and use the following information relating to you:

Account Information: When you open a Bico account, we collect details such as your account name, gender, date of birth, age, city or area, social media account information (profile photo, gender, etc.), and any tags you posted about yourself.

Profile Information: Any information in your Bico profile visible to other users or information you make available to us, including your photographs, education, city or area, and other information. When you upload photos for your profile or share them within the app, we use disk read-write permissions.

Usage Information: Information about your and others¡¯ usage of and interaction with the service and our application, including usage by geographies, device and connection information, IP address, device capability, bandwidth, statistics on page views, and network type. We utilize permissions related to network access and device status for communication and functionality.

Technical Information: This includes mobile carrier-related information, configuration information, IP address, location/country/region/time zone, device version and ID, user settings, operating system, likes, and dislikes on Bico. Permissions necessary for app functionality may also be collected.

3.2 Special Note about Sensitive Personal Information

Content and information you input to Bico, such as photographs or tags about sensitive information, may be subject to stricter regulation. Please consider this before sharing such information in Bico.

 

4. Purpose of Use and Security of Information

4.1 Purposes

We may use your information for the following purposes:

Service Provision and Improvement: To provide and improve services, customer service, security, archival, and backup purposes.

Analysis and Monitoring: For monitoring and analyzing usage and trends, ensuring user safety and product security, preventing fraud, and enforcing our policies.

User Interaction: To enable features such as text messages, photos, videos, and other communications with other users.

Content Storage: We may store content shared in Bico, even if shared with others, and cannot always remove it from servers or undo its sharing once posted.

4.2 Sharing

By using Bico, you consent to the third-party use, sharing, and transfer of your personal information. We may share information if legally required, in compliance with the Privacy Policy, or in the case of acquisition or re-organization of Bico.

4.3 Third-Party Services

We use third-party services to optimize your experience. The following services may collect and process data in line with their respective privacy policies:

Google Play Services: Provides foundational app functionality and assists with account-related functions.

Firebase (Google Analytics): Tracks user interactions within Bico, allowing us to improve user experience.

Facebook: Provides analytics and advertising support for personalized ad experiences.

For details on how these services handle personal data, please refer to their privacy policies.

4.4 Data Security

We implement administrative, physical, and electronic measures to protect your information from unauthorized access. No security measures are perfect or impenetrable, but we use reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with this Privacy Policy and instructions we give third parties.

 

5. User Access and Data Deletion

You can access and modify your account information. Should you wish to delete your account and personal data, navigate to Personal Center -> Settings and select Delete Account. Please note that even after deletion, certain data may be retained as required for legal or record-keeping purposes. We retain de-personalized information to comply with legal obligations, meet regulatory requirements, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, and enforce the Terms of Service. Additionally, you have the right to correct the personal data we collect. If you find any inaccuracies in your data, you can contact us at hfu475970@gmail.com to request corrections.

 

6. Data Retention and User Rights

Your data is retained only as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by applicable law. Our data retention practices are as follows:

We retain your information to provide the services you request, improve our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and for business purposes.

After you terminate your use of Bico, we may store your information in an aggregated and anonymous format for analytical purposes.

We may retain certain personal information as required by law to meet regulatory requirements or for a reasonable period to handle potential disputes.

You have the following rights:

Right to Know Data Sale and Sharing: You have the right to know if your personal data has been sold or shared. We will provide this information upon request.

Opt-Out Rights: You can opt-out of allowing the sale or sharing of your personal data. Contact us at hfu475970@gmail.com to exercise these rights.

 

7. Contacting Us

For any privacy concerns or questions, contact us at hfu475970@gmail.com.

 

8. CCPA and VCDPA Compliance

Residents of California and Virginia may have additional rights under CCPA and VCDPA. To exercise these rights, including the right to delete, access, correct, or opt-out, please contact us.

 

9. Permissions and App Usage Details

To deliver the services offered by Bico effectively, we request various permissions, which are described below. These permissions are used solely to provide services and enhance user experience and are processed with strict security measures to protect user information.

Internet Access: Necessary for accessing network services, including sending and receiving data. Used for communication features like video calling and instant messaging.

Camera: Allows the capture of photos or videos directly within the app, facilitating features such as profile picture updates or sharing moments with friends.

Read/Write External Storage: Required for storing user-generated content like photos and videos on the device and for loading media content to enhance user experience.

Microphone Access: Enables audio input during voice or video calls, allowing users to communicate effectively within the app.

Phone Status: Permits the app to understand network connectivity status, helping to prevent interruptions in services such as video calls when the device is busy or offline.

Network State Access: Used to monitor connectivity and switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to maintain uninterrupted services during calls or messaging.

Bluetooth: Allows connectivity to Bluetooth devices for hands-free audio in calls or other supported features within the app.

In-App Purchases: Supports optional purchases within Bico, such as virtual gifts, to enhance the user experience.

Overlay (Draw Over Other Apps): Required for enabling picture-in-picture video call functionality, allowing users to continue calls while multitasking.

Vibration Control: Provides haptic feedback for notifications or alerts, ensuring users are aware of incoming messages or calls.

Advertising Attribution: Utilized to measure the performance of advertising campaigns, with data anonymized to protect user privacy.

Modify System Settings: Required to enable certain functionalities, such as preventing screen dimming during video calls for an uninterrupted experience.

All permissions are requested strictly within the scope of service requirements, and any personal data collected is managed in line with Bico¡¯s privacy commitments. Users are notified of the need for specific permissions and may choose to deny any optional permissions not critical to the core functionality of Bico.

 

10. Data Controller and DPO Information

The data controller for Bico is Steven. The contact information is hfu475970@gmail.com.

The DPO for Bico is Bico. The contact information is hfu475970@gmail.com.

 

11. Notification of Policy Changes

We are committed to keeping you informed about any significant changes to our privacy practices. In addition to the methods previously mentioned (posting on the website, within the app, or via email), we may also use in - app notifications to alert you of important updates. When a change occurs, we will clearly state the effective date and the nature of the change. We encourage you to review the policy regularly to stay up - to - date on how your data is protected.

 

12. Security Updates

We continuously monitor and update our security measures to adapt to new threats and technological advancements. Our team conducts regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities. In the event of a security incident that may affect your personal information, we will notify you as soon as possible and take appropriate steps to mitigate the impact.

 

13. User Consent Management

We maintain a record of the consents you have provided regarding the use of your data. You can review and update your consent preferences at any time through your account settings. We ensure that any new data processing activities are accompanied by a clear request for your consent, and we document and store this information securely.

 

14. Data Minimization

We are committed to collecting only the data that is necessary for the proper functioning of Bico and the delivery of the services you expect. We regularly review our data collection practices to ensure that we are not collecting any unnecessary information. If we determine that certain data is no longer required, we will take steps to delete or anonymize it.

 

15. International Data Transfers

As Bico may operate globally, your data may be transferred across international borders. When such transfers occur, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data. These safeguards include using standard contractual clauses, relying on the recipient's adherence to recognized privacy frameworks, or ensuring that the transfer is permitted under applicable laws.

 

16. Transparency in Data Processing

We strive to be transparent in all our data processing activities. In addition to this privacy policy, we may provide additional information within the app or on our website to help you understand how your data is used. For example, we may provide details about specific features that collect certain types of data and how that data contributes to your overall experience.

 

17. Training and Awareness

Our employees and contractors undergo regular training to ensure they are aware of and comply with our privacy policy and relevant data protection laws. This training covers topics such as data handling best practices, security awareness, and understanding user rights. We also promote a culture of privacy within the organization to ensure that protecting your data is a top priority at all levels.

 

18. Children's Privacy

Bico is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children in this age group. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take immediate steps to delete the data. For users between the ages of 13 and 18, we encourage parental or guardian involvement in understanding and managing the child's use of Bico and their privacy settings.

 

19. Accessibility of Privacy Policy

We ensure that our privacy policy is easily accessible to all users. It can be accessed within the app (through the settings or help section) and on our website. We also provide the policy in a format that is easy to read and understand, avoiding overly technical jargon whenever possible. If you have any difficulties accessing or understanding the policy, please contact us at hfu475970@gmail.com.

 

20. Enforcement of Privacy Policy

We take the enforcement of this privacy policy seriously. We have internal procedures in place to investigate and address any potential violations of the policy. If we determine that there has been a breach of your privacy rights, we will take appropriate corrective actions, which may include notifying affected users, implementing additional security measures, and taking disciplinary action against employees or third - party partners responsible for the breach.

 

21. User Feedback and Suggestions

We welcome your feedback and suggestions regarding our privacy policy and data protection practices. Your input helps us improve and ensure that our policies align with your expectations. You can send your comments to hfu475970@gmail.com, and we will review and consider them as part of our ongoing commitment to privacy.