Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 6, 2025

This website and the Talking-Buddy™️Mobile Application is owned and operated by AHAN Apps LLC, a Georgia USA limited liability company ("AHAN").

The Website collects only the consumer’s name and e-mail address. The following applies only to the Talking-Buddy™️Mobile Application.

1. Data Collection

In alignment with our data minimization principles, we collect, process, and retain only the personal information that is strictly necessary to support the essential functions of the platform. We do not store or request any data beyond what is required for operational purposes.

We collect user information, including:

  1. Demographic information: Last Name, First Name, Nickname, date of birth, gender, pronouns, email, mobile number, country, state/province, city, zip code, and profile picture (avatar).
  2. Language preferences.
  3. Payment data to process Caller payments and manage Talking-Buddy (listener) earnings and taxes.
  4. We use Stripe for payment processing (payment gateway).
  5. The talking-buddy createss a profile within Stripe to collect payments.
  6. Stripe collects and retains all payment data.
  7. AHAN does not directly collect or retain any payment data.

2. Data Use

Collected data is used to:

  1. Facilitate communication between Callers and Talking-Buddies.
  2. Process payments and manage earnings
  3. Notify users of relevant updates or reminders via SMS or email.

3. Data Sharing with Third Parties

Your information may be shared with third-party providers for services such as payment processing and communication (SMS/Email notifications). We only partner with trusted providers who adhere to industry-standard data security practices.

4. Data Security and Retention

  1. All user data is securely stored on our servers and is accessible only by authorized personnel.
    1. All personal data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256).
    2. Access to personal data is restricted through role-based access control (RBAC).
    3. Regular audits and vulnerability assessments are conducted.
  2. Account Deletion and Data Retention.
    1. Users may request account deletion directly through the app.
    2. Once the request is initiated, a 30-day grace period begins. During this time, users may reactivate their account by simply logging in again.
    3. If the account remains inactive throughout the grace period, all associated personal data will be permanently and irreversibly deleted from our systems.
    4. We may disclose your personal information as we believe appropriate to government or law enforcement officials or private parties (a) for the compliance and protection purposes described above; (b) as required by law, lawful requests or legal process, such as to respond to subpoenas or requests from government authorities; (c) where permitted by law in connection with any legal investigation; and (d) to prosecute or defend legal claims.
  3. Call Recording Policy
    1. Talking Buddy enables callers to connect with listeners (non-clinical).
    2. Calls may be recorded only with the consent of both parties.
    3. If users voluntarily disclose mental health or personal health details during a call, such content is not processed or stored as medical data.
    4. Call recordings are stored for 7 days to allow for dispute resolution if a support ticket is raised.
    5. If a support request is submitted, the recording is retained for a maximum of 14 days until the issue is resolved.
    6. If no support request is submitted within 7 days, the recording is automatically deleted.

6. Third Party Privacy Policies

AHAN's Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, we are advising you to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options.

You can choose to disable cookies through your individual browser options. To know more detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers, it can be found at the browsers' respective websites. What Are Cookies?

Cookies and Web Beacons: Like any other website, AHAN uses 'cookies'. These cookies are used to store information including visitors' preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users' experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors' browser type and/or other information.

Google DoubleClick DART Cookie: Google is one of a third-party vendor on our site. It also uses cookies, known as DART cookies, to serve ads to our site visitors based upon their visit to www.website.com and other sites on the internet. However, visitors may choose to decline the use of DART cookies by visiting the Google ad and content network Privacy Policy at the following URL – https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads

How we use Cookies: We may use Cookie Information (small text files that are stored on browsers or devices by websites, apps, online media, and advertisements) and Automatically Collected Information to: (a) authenticate users, (b) personalize our services, such as remembering your information so that you will not have to re-enter it during your visit or the next time you visit the Services; (c) provide customized advertisements, content, and information across your devices; (d) monitor and analyze the effectiveness of Services and third-party marketing activities; (e) monitor and analyze aggregate site usage metrics and trends such as total number of visitors, pages viewed and popular content to better understand the online behaviors and interests of people who leverage our services; and (f) track your entries, submissions, and status in any promotions or other activities. We may also allow others to provide audience measurement and analytics services for us, to serve advertisements on our behalf across the Internet, and to track and report on the performance of those advertisements. These entities may use cookies, web beacons, SDKs, and other technologies to identify the devices used by visitors to our websites, as well as when they visit other online sites and services. Certain Services are only available through the use of Cookies, so if you choose to disable or decline Cookies, your use of certain Services may be limited or not possible.

7. Children Information

AHAN does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If we learn at any time that we have been providing services to or have collected the information of a child under the age of 13 then we will immediately destroy this personal information unless we are legally obligated to retain such data. Please email us at privacy@talking-buddy.com if you believe that we have unintentionally provided services to or collected the information of a child under the age of 13.

If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.

Children between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age must receive permission from a parent of legal guardian to access this website.

Our Commitment to Protecting and Storing your Data Securely: We are committed to using all appropriate guardrails to optimize the security of your data and our systems. While we cannot ensure that personal information may not be altered, accessed, disclosed, or destroyed by a breach; we strive to protect the information above by complying with applicable US Federal and State Regulations. If we become aware of a breach of administrative, operational, etc., systems then we may attempt to notify you electronically so that you can take appropriate protective steps. If users transmit any information to us through our Services or store on the Site, you do so at your own risk. Given the above, we advise that our users take any precautionary measures they can to protect their personal data.

By using our Services, you agree that we may communicate with you electronically at the e-mail address you have provided to us. Depending on where you live, you may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing. To receive free written notice of a security breach (or to withdraw your consent from receiving electronic notice of a security breach), please email us at privacy@talking-buddy.com.

8. User Rights

Users have right to:

  1. Request access to the personal data we hold.
  2. Request corrections to any inaccuracies in their data.
  3. Request deletion of data where applicable, subject to certain limitations.

9. Changes to the Privacy Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically. Users will be notified of significant changes. Continued use of the App indicates acceptance of any updates.

10. Applicable Compliance Laws & Justification

  1. United States:
    1. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Notice: In this notice, we are addressing specific disclosure requirements under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 for California residents. This notice applies only to “personal information” that is subject to that law and applies to all California residents who visit our Sites or use the Services. California residents have rights to request access to certain personal information collected about them over the past 12 months, or deletion of their personal information, subject to certain exceptions, and may not be discriminated against because they exercise any of their rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act. We may require you to provide additional personal information to verify your identity before we process your request; we may not process your request if we are unable to verify your identity. We collect, use and share personal information regarding California residents as described in this notice.
    2. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act):
      1. Applies if users are from California and if the app meets certain thresholds (e.g., 100,000+ users).
      2. We voluntarily provide data access and deletion options to users for transparency
    3. FTC Act: Governs fair marketing and business practices. We ensure clear disclaimers, avoid deceptive practices, and provide transparent communication.
    4. COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act): Since Talking Buddy restricts users under age 13 and verifies DOB, we comply with COPPA requirements.
    5. HIPAA Not Applicable:
      1. Talking-Buddy is not a healthcare provider, does not employ licensed professionals, and does not collect or store Protected Health Information (PHI).
      2. Terefore, HIPAA does not apply to current operations.
      3. Should the app evolve to involve licensed professionals or store clinical content, HIPAA applicability would be reassessed.
  2. Canada:
    1. PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act):
      1. Applies when collecting personal data for commercial purposes across provinces.
      2. We ensure informed consent, allow user data access and deletion, and follow transparency and security principles.
    2. Canadian Anti-Spam Law (CASL): CASL applies to commercial electronic messages (CEMs) of all types (i.e., email, texts, sound, voice or image messages) meant to encourage participation in a commercial activity (e.g., offer to purchase a product, advertise or promote a product). Its key feature requires organizations that send CEMs within, from, or to Canada to receive consent from the consumer before sending messages. Consent can be obtained either explicitly or implicitly. Examples of explicit consent include but are not limited to signing up for our mailing list online, entering sweepstakes and contests, and information requests made via one of our online services. Implied consent stems from either the purchase of a product or inquiry about a product; implied consent is considered valid for 24 months following the purchase of a product, and 6 months following an inquiry about a product.

      If you are on our commercial electronic messages mailing list, you may unsubscribe from it at any time. Unsubscribe instructions are included with each of our emails. You may also visit our online email page and unsubscribe. If you choose to unsubscribe, your address will be removed in no more than 10 business days. Please allow 5 days for us to remove your email address from any future mailings. Please note that should you order from us in the future, you will still receive order and shipping confirmations from us via email below.

  3. EEA Resident Rights

    If you are a resident of the European Economic Area, you have the following data protection rights:

    1. If you wish to access, correct, update or request deletion of your personal information, you can do so at any time by contacting us using the contact details provided under the "contact us".
    2. In addition, you can object to processing of your personal information, ask us to restrict processing of your personal information or request portability of your personal information. Again, you can exercise these rights by contacting us by using the contact form on "Contact Us" page on the website or service request within the talking-buddy mobile application
    3. You have the right to opt-out of marketing communications we send you at any time. You can exercise this right by clicking on the "unsubscribe" or "opt-out" link in the marketing emails we send you. Registered users can manage their account settings and email marketing preferences. If you are an unregistered user, or to opt-out of other forms of marketing (such as postal marketing or telemarketing), you may contact us by using the contact form on "Contact Us" page on the website
    4. Similarly, if we have collected and processed your personal information with your consent, then you can withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawing your consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing we conducted prior to your withdrawal, nor will it affect processing of your personal information conducted in reliance on lawful processing grounds other than consent. You have the right to complain to a data protection authority about our collection and use of your personal information. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority.
    5. We respond to all requests we receive from individuals wishing to exercise their data protection rights in accordance with applicable data protection laws. We will respond to all requests within a reasonable timeframe. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we reserve the right to keep any information in our archives that we deem necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

11. Contact Information

For privacy inquiries, users may reach out via the in-app support form or email us at privacy@talking-buddy.com

12. No warranties

This website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied or fitness for a particular purpose. AHAN makes no representations or warranties in relation to this website or the information and materials provided on this website.

Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, AHAN does not warrant that:

  1. this website will be constantly available, or available at all; or
  2. the information on this website is complete, true, accurate or non-misleading.

Nothing on this website constitutes, or is meant to constitute, advice of any kind. If you require advice in relation to any legal, financial, or medical or other matter you should consult an appropriate professional.

13. Other parties

  1. You accept that, as a limited liability entity, AHAN has an interest in limiting the personal liability of its officers and employees. You agree that you will not bring any claim personally against AHAN’s officers or employees in respect in connection with any losses you suffer in connection with the website.
  2. Without prejudice to the foregoing paragraph, you agree that the limitations of warranties and liability set out in this website disclaimer will protect AHAN’s officers, employees, agents, subsidiaries, successors, assigns and sub-contractors as well as AHAN.

14. Unenforceable provisions

If any provision of this website disclaimer is, or is found to be, unenforceable under applicable law, that will not affect the enforceability of the other provisions of this website disclaimer.

15. Indemnity

You hereby agree to indemnify and defend AHAN and undertake to keep AHAN indemnified against any losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation legal expenses) and any amounts paid by AHAN to a third party in settlement of a claim or dispute on the advice of AHAN’s legal advisers incurred or suffered by AHAN arising out of any breach by you of any provision of these terms and conditions, or arising out of any claim that you have breached any provision of these terms and conditions.

16. Breaches of these terms and conditions

Without prejudice to AHAN’s other rights under these terms and conditions, if you breach these terms and conditions in any way, AHAN may take such action as AHAN deems appropriate to deal with the breach, including suspending your access to the website, prohibiting you from accessing the website, blocking computers using your IP address from accessing the website, contacting your internet service provider to request that they block your access to the website and/or bringing court proceedings against you.

17. Variation

AHAN may revise these terms and conditions from time to time. Revised terms and conditions will apply to the use of this website from the date of the publication of the revised terms and conditions on this website. Please check this page regularly to ensure you are familiar with the current version.

18. Assignment

AHAN may transfer, sub-contract or otherwise deal with Hounds of Anarchy Lacrosse LLC’s rights and/or obligations under these terms and conditions without notifying you or obtaining your consent.

You may not transfer, sub-contract or otherwise deal with your rights and/or obligations under these terms and conditions.

19. Severability

If a provision of these terms and conditions is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other provisions will continue in effect. If any unlawful and/or unenforceable provision would be lawful or enforceable if part of it were deleted, that part will be deemed to be deleted, and the rest of the provision will continue in effect.

20. Entire agreement

These terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and AHAN in relation to your use of this website and supersede all previous agreements in respect of your use of this website

21. Law and jurisdiction

These terms and conditions will be governed by and construed in accordance with Georgia State Law, and any disputes relating to these terms and conditions will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the state of Georgia, County of Forsyth.