Privacy Policy

LineChit (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is a messaging service that lets people chat, share media, share location, and make voice and video calls. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and the choices you have — similar in spirit to policies used by major messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

By creating an account or using LineChit (website, Android app, or iOS app), you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the service.

1. Who we are

LineChit is operated at https://linechit.com. The Android application package name is com.linechit.app. This Policy applies to our website, APIs, and mobile applications.

Privacy questions and requests: support@linechit.com

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use LineChit, we may collect the following categories of information:

2.1 Account & profile information

• Username / display name
• Email address
• Mobile / phone number (if you provide one)
• Password (stored in hashed form; we cannot read your plain password)
• Profile photo / avatar you upload
• Privacy preferences (for example, hide email or hide phone from other users)
• Optional Chat Lock PIN settings you configure

2.2 Communications content you create

• Text messages and chat history needed to deliver conversations
• Images, files, voice notes, and other attachments you choose to send
• Group chat names and membership information
• Call-related signaling needed to set up voice/video calls (not a permanent recording of call audio/video by default)

2.3 Location information

LineChit can access location data when you use location features. See Section 3 — Location data for full details required by app stores and privacy law disclosures.

2.4 Device, network & technical data

• Device type, operating system, and app version
• IP address and approximate network information used for security and delivery
• Logs related to authentication, errors, abuse prevention, and service reliability
• Push notification tokens (where enabled) so we can notify you of incoming messages or calls

2.5 Presence / activity signals

• Online / offline status and last-seen timestamps used to show availability in chat
• Basic interaction timestamps needed to keep conversations updated

2.6 Information we do not sell

We do not sell your personal information to data brokers. We do not use your private messages to build advertising profiles for third-party ads.

3. Location data (important)

3.1 Why LineChit uses location

Location is used only for messaging features you choose to run, including:

• Share current location in chat — when you send a one-time location pin/map message to a contact or group so they can see where you are.
• Live location sharing — when you start sharing your live location in a conversation so the recipient can see movement on a map while sharing is active.

Location is not used for advertising, unrelated tracking, or selling location history.

3.2 When location is accessed

• Only after you grant location permission on your device.
• Only when you use a location-sharing feature (or when the OS requires permission checks for that feature).
• During live location sharing, LineChit may continue to receive location updates while sharing remains on — including when the app is in the background — so the recipient can see updated position until you stop sharing.
• If you never use location features, LineChit does not need ongoing location access for core chat/calls.

3.3 Background location

On Android, LineChit may request background location access so live location can keep updating if you leave the app or lock the screen while a live share is active. Background location is used solely for that user-initiated live location feature and stops when you end the share.

3.4 What recipients see

When you share location or live location, the people in that chat can see the location information you chose to share (for example, map coordinates / approximate place on a map). Do not share location with people you do not trust.

3.5 Your controls

• Deny or revoke location permission in your device settings at any time.
• Stop live location sharing from the chat when you no longer want updates sent.
• Choose not to send location messages at all — chat, calls, and other features still work.

4. Device permissions

Depending on the platform, LineChit may request these permissions:

• Microphone — voice messages and voice/video calls
• Camera — video calls and optional photo capture for chat/profile
• Photos / media / files — sending images and attachments; setting a profile photo
• Location (approximate/precise, and background where applicable) — location and live location sharing as described above
• Notifications — alerts for messages and incoming calls
• Network / internet — required to operate the service

You can change or revoke most permissions in your device settings. Some features will not work without the related permission.

5. How we use information

We use information to:

• Create and authenticate accounts; keep you signed in securely
• Deliver messages, media, and location shares to the intended recipients
• Enable voice and video calling (including connection setup / WebRTC signaling)
• Show profile information, online/offline status, and conversation lists
• Provide settings such as privacy toggles and chat lock
• Maintain, debug, secure, and improve LineChit
• Prevent spam, abuse, fraud, and unauthorized access
• Communicate with you about the service (for example, support replies)
• Comply with legal obligations where required

6. How we share information

6.1 With other LineChit users

• People you message can see the content you send them (including location if you share it).
• Your username/display name and profile photo may be visible to users you interact with.
• Email and phone can be hidden from other users using Settings privacy controls.

6.2 With service providers

We may use infrastructure providers (for example, hosting, email delivery, storage, or push notification services) that process data only to help us run LineChit. They are not authorized to use your data for their own marketing.

6.3 For legal and safety reasons

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect users, rights, safety, or the integrity of the service.

6.4 Business transfers

If LineChit is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy or a successor policy with equivalent protections.

7. Messages, calls & media

• Messages and attachments are processed and stored so conversations can be delivered and shown later on your devices.
• Voice and video calls use real-time communication technology. We use signaling data to connect calls. We do not provide call recording as a default product feature.
• Recipients can copy, screenshot, or forward content you send. Only share what you are comfortable sharing.
• Deleted content may remain for a period in backups or logs, and copies already delivered to other devices may remain with recipients.

8. Profile visibility & presence

• Other users may see your profile photo and username.
• You can hide your email and mobile number from other users in Settings.
• Online / offline and last-seen indicators help show availability during chat.
• Chat Lock PIN (if enabled) helps protect access to specific chats on your account/device experience.

9. Retention & deletion

We keep account and content data for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide LineChit. We may retain certain records longer for security, dispute resolution, backups, or legal compliance.

You may request account or data deletion by contacting support@linechit.com. After deletion, some residual data may remain temporarily in encrypted backups or logs until those systems rotate.

10. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect accounts and content (for example, hashed passwords, access controls, and HTTPS). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please use a strong password, keep your device updated, and do not share your credentials.

11. Children

LineChit is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

12. International users

LineChit may be hosted and operated using servers or providers in different countries. If you use LineChit from outside those locations, you understand your information may be processed in countries that may have different data-protection rules.

13. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and post the revised Policy at https://linechit.com/privacy. Continued use of LineChit after changes means you accept the updated Policy.

14. Contact us

For privacy questions, permission concerns, location-data questions, or data requests:
Email: support@linechit.com
Address: 5900 New England Woods Dr, Burke, VA 22015, U.S.A.
Website: https://linechit.com
Privacy Policy URL (for Google Play / App Store): https://linechit.com/privacy

This Policy is written to clearly disclose LineChit’s collection and use of personal data, including location data, camera/microphone access for calls and media, and messaging content required to operate a chat and calling service.