Thank you for reviewing Mergo's Privacy Policy (the "Policy") for the Mergo Android Application (the "App"). This Policy is formulated and administered by the Mergo Team ("Mergo," "we," "us," or "our"). We are dedicated to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining full transparency regarding our data handling practices, in compliance with Google Play’s Data Safety requirements, applicable data protection laws (including GDPR, COPPA, and CCPA), and Google’s Developer Program Policies.
This Policy governs the Mergo Android App and all related services operated by Mergo (jointly referred to as the "Services"). It does not extend to services provided by external third parties (including but not limited to Google services integrated into the App). Should you encounter third-party links, content, or services via the Mergo Android App, we strongly advise you to conduct a thorough assessment and review their respective privacy policies prior to disclosing any personal information.
We have adopted clear and accessible language to assist you in understanding this Policy and making well-informed choices. If you disagree with any of the terms outlined herein, please refrain from accessing or using our Services via the Android App.
1. Types of Information We Gather
When you register for an account or engage with our Services through the Android App, we collect various forms of information. This encompasses data you actively provide, information obtained from third-party social media platforms (including Google Account), technical and behavioral data associated with your Android device usage, content from your communications, and—with your explicit approval—contacts stored in your Android device’s phone book. The following sections detail the specific categories and sources of this information, in alignment with Google Play’s Data Safety disclosure requirements.
1.1 Information You Provide
In the course of using our Services via the Android App, you may opt to share the following details:
Account-Related Details: Upon downloading the Mergo Android App and creating an account (including via Google Account login), we may collect your chosen nickname, profile picture, phone number, and login credentials for linked third-party accounts (such as Google Account). All Google Account data access complies with Google’s OAuth 2.0 policies and data access limitations.
Profile Information: Post-registration, you have the option to supplement your profile with details including age, gender identity, date of birth, geographic location, sexual orientation, personal preferences, height, weight, and additional images. Exercise caution when sharing this information, as it will be publicly accessible to other users unless you delete your account. To upload specific content (e.g., photos) via the Android App, you may need to grant us permission to access your Android device’s camera, photo library, or storage, in compliance with Android’s permission system and Google Play’s data access policies.
User-Generated Content: This refers to comments, photos, videos, and other materials you publish through the Services via the Android App. The visibility of such content (whether public or restricted) depends on where it is shared. Most content can be removed at your discretion at any time via your account settings in the Android App. It is prohibited to upload content featuring or related to others without their explicit consent, in accordance with Google Play’s Content Policies.
Communications: When you reach out to our customer support team (via in-app messaging or email), we will collect the information you provide during the interaction. These communications may be monitored or recorded to facilitate staff training and ensure service quality, in compliance with applicable privacy laws and Google Play’s user communication policies.
1.2 Information from Other Sources
We may acquire information about you from the following channels, in compliance with Google Play’s data sourcing rules:
Other Mergo users (for instance, through reports submitted to our customer service team via the Android App).
Third-party service providers (including Google Play Services, analytics partners like Google Analytics for Firebase, advertising partners, and data suppliers), all of whom adhere to Google’s Approved Third-Party Services policies.
1.3 Automatically Collected Information
When you utilize our Services via the Android App, we or our authorized third-party partners may automatically gather the following data, in line with Google Play’s Data Safety requirements for disclosing automated data collection:
Usage Data: Details regarding your interaction with the Android App, such as login timestamps, features accessed, search queries entered, click-through actions, and engagement with other users (e.g., connection requests sent/received, message timelines, and message quantity). This data is used solely to improve App performance and user experience.
Device Information: Information about your Android device used to access the Services, including Android ID, Advertising ID (in compliance with Google’s Advertising ID policies), IP address, MAC address, user agent string, mobile network operator, time zone settings, device model, Android OS version, preferred language, network connection type (Wi-Fi/cellular), screen resolution, and technical performance metrics (e.g., battery status, load times, and latency). We do not collect sensitive device identifiers (such as IMEI) without explicit user consent, where required by law.
Message Content: When using our in-app messaging features within the Android App, we collect and process both the content of your messages and associated metadata (such as send/receive times and participant identities). We strongly advise against sharing sensitive or confidential information through these messaging features, and all message data is encrypted in transit in compliance with Google Play’s security standards.
Other Information: With your explicit consent (granted via Android’s permission prompts), we may collect supplementary information, such as photos or videos you select to share via the Services.
1.4 Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies and similar technologies (including SDK-based tracking tools for Android) are used to ensure the smooth operation of the Android App and enhance user accessibility. They typically contain unique identifiers, App-related metadata, and alphanumeric codes. Our Services may utilize these technologies to collect non-personal information, unless local legislation classifies identifiers like IP addresses as personal data, in compliance with Google Play’s policies on tracking and data collection.
We and our partners use these technologies to:
Gain insights into Android App usage patterns, frequency of use, in-app activity occurrences, performance indicators, and download sources (including Google Play referral data).
Analyze industry trends, manage our App infrastructure, track user behavior patterns (anonymized where required), and compile demographic data for App improvement.
Deliver targeted advertisements (via Google Ads or approved partners) based on your browsing history and personal interests, in compliance with Google’s ad targeting policies. You may opt out of interest-based advertising by adjusting your Android device’s ad settings or within the App’s privacy preferences.
You have the ability to manage or disable non-essential tracking technologies through your Android device settings or the App’s privacy center. Additionally, you can opt out of interest-based advertising by resetting your Google Advertising ID or adjusting App permissions.
2. Legal Grounds for Processing and Usage of Your Information
We only process your personal information when we have a valid legal basis as stipulated by applicable data protection regulations (including GDPR, CCPA, and Google Play’s data processing requirements). Our data processing activities are grounded in the following legal principles:
Contractual Necessity: To provide the Android App Services, enable communications between users, verify your age (in compliance with COPPA and Google Play’s minor protection policies), and enforce our Terms of Service.
Legitimate Interests: Where necessary and balanced against your rights (and in compliance with Google’s data ethics requirements), we may:
Contact you about Mergo Android App updates and new features (via in-app notifications or email, in compliance with Google Play’s notification policies).
Conduct research and analysis on Service usage to improve the Android App’s functionality and user experience.
Prevent fraud, protect Service integrity (including detecting fake accounts on the Android App), and enforce legal rights.
Store, host, and back up your information on Google Cloud Platform (or approved cloud providers) in compliance with Google’s cloud security standards.
Resolve disputes and respond to legal or regulatory proceedings (including requests from Google Play for compliance audits).
Consent: To customize services and content according to your preferences (e.g., location-based features), and to comply with relevant laws and regulatory requirements (including Google Play’s consent for sensitive data collection). Consent may be revoked at any time via the Android App’s privacy settings.
3. Methods of Information Sharing
We do not sell your personal information (as defined by CCPA and Google Play’s anti-data selling policies). Information sharing is limited to the following scenarios, in compliance with Google Play’s data sharing requirements:
Affiliated Entities: We may share your information within our corporate group for legitimate and clearly defined purposes (e.g., App maintenance), and only to the extent necessary to provide and improve the Android App Services. All affiliated entities adhere to this Policy and Google’s data protection standards.
Third-Party Partners: We disclose the minimum amount of information required to trusted third-party partners (including Google Play Services, technical service providers, data storage providers (e.g., Google Cloud), marketing partners, and SDK vendors) to enhance service quality and user experience. We mandate that these partners adhere to strict confidentiality and security standards consistent with this Policy, Google Play’s policies, and applicable legal requirements. We do not share sensitive personal data (e.g., biometric information) with third parties without explicit user consent.
Non-Personal Data: We may share aggregated, non-identifiable data (e.g., anonymized Android App usage statistics) with third parties for the purpose of conducting analytics, performance evaluations, or deriving business insights (e.g., assessing service effectiveness or identifying usage trends). This data cannot be used to identify individual users.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, asset transfer, or similar corporate transaction, we will ensure that the acquiring entity continues to protect your information in accordance with the terms outlined in this Policy and Google Play’s data transfer requirements. We will notify you via in-app notification or email of any such transfer where required by law.
4. Cross-Border Data Transfer
Your personal information is currently stored on servers located in the United States (including Google Cloud Platform servers). With your prior authorization (where required by law) and in compliance with Google Play’s cross-border data transfer policies, we may transfer your data to other countries or regions for processing. While these jurisdictions may have differing privacy protection standards, we implement appropriate security safeguards (including encryption, data minimization, and contractual clauses compliant with GDPR’s Standard Contractual Clauses) to ensure compliance with this Policy and relevant legal requirements. For further details on these protective measures, please contact our Data Protection Officer.
5. Your Rights
Depending on your country or region of residence (including EEA, California, and other jurisdictions with data protection laws), you may be entitled to the following rights under applicable privacy laws and Google Play’s user data access requirements:
The right to be informed about the types of personal information we process and the purposes of such processing (via the Android App’s Data Safety section, in compliance with Google Play’s disclosure rules).
The right to request access to a copy of the personal data we hold about you (in machine-readable format, per GDPR/CCPA requirements).
The right to delete your data in certain circumstances (including account deletion via the Android App, in compliance with Google Play’s data deletion requirements).
The right to restrict processing in limited cases (e.g., while we verify the accuracy of your data).
The right to data portability (a machine-readable copy for transfer to another service provider, compatible with Android ecosystem standards).
The right to object to processing (e.g., based on legitimate interests or marketing), including opting out of in-app marketing communications via the App’s settings.
The right regarding automated decision-making (including profiling), with human intervention where required by law.
The specific rights available to you may vary depending on your jurisdiction. You can access and modify most of your profile information by logging into your Mergo Android App account. To exercise any other rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer. We may require you to verify your identity (via secure methods compliant with Google Play’s identity verification standards) before responding to your request. If you have unresolved concerns regarding our data practices, you have the right to file a complaint with your local data protection authority or contact Google Play’s support for App-related privacy issues.
6. How We Protect Your Information
We have implemented a comprehensive set of administrative, technical, and physical security measures (compliant with Google Play’s App Security Program) to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:
Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest (AES-256) for all personal data stored in the Android App and on our servers.
Compliance with Android’s Secure Application Development guidelines to prevent data leaks and vulnerabilities.
Regular security audits and penetration testing of the Android App, conducted by third-party firms approved by Google.
Access controls limiting employee access to personal data to only those with a legitimate business need.
We regularly monitor our systems for potential vulnerabilities and security threats, and continuously enhance our security protocols to address emerging risks (including Android OS security updates). While we strive to maintain the highest level of security for your data, no method of electronic transmission or data storage is completely infallible. In the event of a data breach, we will comply with all applicable legal reporting obligations (including notifying Google Play and relevant data protection authorities) and take immediate action to mitigate any potential harm. Where required by law, we will promptly notify you of the breach (via in-app notification, email, or SMS) and its potential impact, in compliance with Google Play’s breach notification requirements.
Please note that we are not responsible for the security of data collected or processed by third parties (including Google services). If you encounter third-party content through our Services that poses a privacy risk, please notify us immediately via the Android App’s reporting feature or our customer service email.
7. Data Retention Periods
We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including providing the Android App Services, meeting contractual obligations, or pursuing legitimate business interests—compliant with Google Play’s data retention policies. When you delete your account via the Android App, we take reasonable steps to remove your personal information from our active systems and render it inaccessible within 30 days (or shorter, where required by law). However, please be aware that information you have shared with other users may remain stored on their Android devices.
In certain cases, we may retain your data for an extended period to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax or audit requirements), resolve disputes, or enforce our Terms of Service. While we aim to delete unnecessary data promptly, technical constraints (e.g., backup retention) may prevent immediate removal. After you cease using the Mergo Android App, we may retain aggregated, anonymized data for analytical or business purposes (in compliance with Google Play’s data retention rules), which cannot be linked back to individual users.
8. Privacy of Minors
Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18 (or the higher minimum age specified by the laws of your jurisdiction), in strict compliance with COPPA and Google Play’s Family Policy and minor protection requirements. We do not intentionally collect personal information from or market our Services to minors. We implement age verification measures (where required by law) during account registration for the Android App to prevent minors from creating accounts. If we become aware that a minor has registered for an account and provided personal information, we will take immediate steps to terminate the account and delete the relevant data (in compliance with Google Play’s minor account termination rules). If you believe a minor has used our Services, please contact us immediately to request account deletion.
9. Updates to This Policy
We may revise this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices, technological advancements, Android OS updates, or legal and regulatory requirements (including Google Play policy updates). We will publish the updated version on our website and within the Mergo Android App (via the "Privacy Policy" section in App settings), and notify you via in-app notification (or email, where required by law) of any material changes. Your continued use of the Mergo Android App following the implementation of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. Where required by law (e.g., GDPR), we will seek your explicit consent (via a pop-up prompt in the Android App) before implementing any significant changes to the way we process your personal information.
10. Contact Information
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this Policy or our data processing practices for the Android App, please contact our Data Protection Officer via email at: dreamshoprevolution@gmail.com.
We endeavor to respond to all legitimate inquiries within 15–30 business days after verifying your identity (in compliance with Google Play’s user support standards). Complex matters may require additional time and may necessitate the collection of further information to provide a comprehensive response.
Additional Provisions for California Users
If you use the Services via the Android App in California, the following terms apply, superseding any conflicting provisions in the main Policy (in compliance with CCPA and Google Play’s California user privacy requirements):
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): California residents have the right to:
Request disclosure of how we have collected, used, and shared your personal information over the past 12 months (via a dedicated request form in the Android App or email).
Request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions (e.g., legal retention requirements).We do not sell personal information (as defined by CCPA) and therefore do not process opt-out requests related to sales. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights (e.g., by charging higher fees or reducing service quality).
California’s “Shine the Light” Law: We do not share your personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not track users’ personal information across third-party online services (including other Android Apps), nor do we permit third parties to collect such information across different services while you use the Mergo Android App.