Privacy Policy

Last updated October 15, 2026

Effective Date: October 15, 2026

Movie Buddy LLC ("Movie Buddy," "we," "us," or "our") operates the Movie Buddy mobile application and the website at moviebuddy.io (together, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of your information as described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information you give us

Account information. When you create an account, we collect your first name, email address, password, date of birth, gender (male or female), and who you are interested in meeting (male, female, or all).

Profile information. You may add a profile photo, select your favorite movie genres, and write a short description of your ideal movie night. Your profile photo is required before you can send or receive invites.

Location. You provide your location either by allowing the app to access your device's GPS or by entering a five-digit ZIP code. You may also set a search radius (10, 25, or 50 miles). Location is required to use the matching features.

Verification information. To verify that your profile photo is a real photo of you, we ask you to take a selfie within the app. The selfie is processed by our identity verification provider (see Section 3.2) to confirm it matches your profile photo. We do not keep the selfie after verification is complete; we keep only the result (verified or not verified).

Communications. When you send an invite, we collect the message you write. When you chat with a match, we collect the messages you send and receive. If you contact us for support, we collect what you send us and your contact details.

Reports and blocks. If you block or report another user, we record who you blocked or reported and, for reports, the reason you gave.

1.2 Information we collect automatically

Device and usage information. We collect your device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers, app version, language, and time zone. We collect information about how you use the Service — which movies you view, which profiles you view, invites you send and receive, and when you open the app.

Location (when enabled). If you enable location services, we collect your device's approximate location while you use the app. We do not track your location in the background.

Diagnostic information. We collect crash reports and performance data to keep the app working properly.

1.3 Information from third parties

Sign-in providers. If you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive your name and email address from that provider. We do not receive your password.

Movie data. Movie titles, posters, synopses, ratings, runtimes, release dates, cast information, and genre classifications are provided by The Movie Database (TMDB). This is not information about you.

Geocoding. When you enter a ZIP code, we use the Google Geocoding API to convert it to an approximate location and country so we can show you movies and people near you.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Create and maintain your account
Verify your age and that your profile photo is you
Show you movies playing near you
Show you other users nearby whose genre preferences match a movie you're viewing, and show you to them on the same basis
Deliver invites, accept/decline responses, and chat messages between you and other users
Calculate and display approximate distance between you and other users
Send push notifications about invites, matches, messages, and new movies near you (you can turn each type off in Settings)
Enforce our Terms of Service and community standards, including reviewing reports and blocking users
Prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
Respond to your support requests
Understand how the Service is used so we can improve it
Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your information for third-party advertising.

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 With other users

When you use the matching features, other users can see:

Your first name
Your age (calculated from your date of birth — your date of birth itself is never shown)
Your profile photo
Your gender
Your approximate distance from them (for example, "3 mi away") — never your exact location, address, or ZIP code
Your selected genres
Your ideal movie night description, if you wrote one
Your verified status

Your email address, date of birth, exact location, and "interested in" selection are never shown to other users.

When you send an invite, the recipient sees your message. When an invite is accepted, you and the other user can see each other's chat messages.

If you decline an invite, the sender is not notified.

3.2 With service providers

We share information with companies that help us run the Service. They are permitted to use your information only to provide services to us.

Google Firebase (Google LLC) — authentication, database, cloud functions, push notifications, crash reporting, and analytics
Veriff — selfie-to-photo identity verification
The Movie Database (TMDB) — movie data (we send requests for movies by location; we do not send your personal information)
Google Geocoding API — ZIP code to location conversion
Apple and Google — app distribution and, if you sign in with them, authentication
Email and support providers — to deliver account emails and respond to support requests

3.3 For legal reasons

We may disclose information if we believe it is reasonably necessary to comply with a law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; to enforce our Terms of Service; to protect the safety of any person; or to protect our rights or property. This includes responding to law enforcement requests related to user safety.

3.4 In a business transfer

If Movie Buddy LLC is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any change in ownership or use of your information.

3.5 With your consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your consent.

4. Your Choices

Profile and genres. You can edit your name, profile photo, genres, ideal movie night description, gender, and "interested in" selection at any time from the Profile tab.

Date of birth. Your date of birth cannot be changed after signup. If it was entered incorrectly, contact support@moviebuddy.io.

Location. You can change your ZIP code and search radius in the Profile tab. You can revoke the app's access to your device location in your device settings, but you will need to enter a ZIP code to continue using the matching features.

Push notifications. You can turn each notification type (matches, messages, new movies) on or off in Settings → Notification Preferences, or disable all notifications in your device settings.

Blocking. You can block any user from their profile. Blocking is permanent, and the blocked user is not notified.

Deleting your account. You can delete your account at any time from Settings → Delete Account. See Section 5 for what happens to your data.

5. Data Retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active.

When you delete your account, we delete your profile, photos, genres, location, invites, and chat messages within 30 days. Some information may be retained longer where required for legal, safety, or fraud-prevention purposes — for example, records of reports you made or that were made about you, and records needed to enforce a block.

Invites expire automatically when the movie leaves theaters or after 30 days, whichever comes first, and are deleted after expiry.

Backup copies may persist for a limited time after deletion but are not used to restore deleted accounts.

6. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit, access controls, and Firebase security rules that restrict who can read and write data. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

You are responsible for keeping your password confidential. If you believe your account has been accessed without your permission, contact support@moviebuddy.io immediately.

7. Age Requirement

The Service is for adults 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. Date of birth is required at signup and is verified. If we learn that we have collected information from someone under 18, we will delete it and terminate the account. If you believe a user is under 18, please report them in the app or email safety@moviebuddy.io.

8. Your Privacy Rights

8.1 All users

You can access, correct, and delete most of your information directly in the app (see Section 4). For anything you cannot change in the app, or to request a copy of your information, email privacy@moviebuddy.io.

8.2 California residents

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA, gives you the right to:

Know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
Delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
Correct inaccurate personal information
Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined under California law)
Limit the use of sensitive personal information (we use sensitive information — precise location and the "interested in" selection — only to provide the Service)
Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights

To exercise these rights, email privacy@moviebuddy.io with "California Privacy Request" in the subject line. We will verify your identity by confirming the email address on your account. You may designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf.

8.3 Other U.S. states

Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, Texas, and other states with comprehensive privacy laws may have similar rights. Email privacy@moviebuddy.io to exercise them.

8.4 Outside the United States

The Service is currently available only in the United States. If we expand to other countries, we will update this Policy to address applicable rights.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

The Service may link to third-party sites or services, such as movie trailers hosted on YouTube. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. This Policy applies only to information collected by Movie Buddy.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the app or by email before the changes take effect. The "Last Updated" date at the top shows when the Policy was last revised. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.

11. Contact Us

Privacy questions and requests: privacy@moviebuddy.io Safety concerns: safety@moviebuddy.io General support: support@moviebuddy.io

Mail: Movie Buddy LLC, El Paso, Texas, United States