Privacy Policy
Last Updated: January 21, 2026
Your Privacy Matters
Avokindo Digital Sdn Bhd ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and services.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information
When you register and use Avokindo, we collect:
- Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender
- Profile Information: Photos, bio, interests, location, occupation, relationship status
- Verification Data: Facial recognition data, government ID documents (for premium verification)
- Payment Information: Processed securely through third-party payment processors (RevenueCat, Apple, Google)
1.2 Usage Information
- Activity Data: Events created/attended, matches, messages, interests expressed
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
- Location Data: Approximate location (city/region) for event discovery
- Analytics: App usage patterns, features used, performance data
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide Services: Create and manage your account, facilitate matches, enable communication
- Verification: Verify your identity using facial recognition and government ID (premium users)
- Matching Algorithm: Use your preferences, interests, and location to suggest relevant events and connections
- Safety & Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and illegal activity
- Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and user experience
- Communications: Send notifications about matches, events, messages, and updates
- Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and regulations
3. Facial Recognition & Verification
Trust-First Identity Verification
Avokindo is a trust-first platform. Facial liveness verification is a core part of our identity verification process and is required for all users to access key platform features such as joining events, hosting events, creating posts, and uploading profile photos. Verification is available to all users at no cost.
3.1 What Face Data We Collect
During the liveness verification process:
- Facial Liveness Check: A short video-based liveness challenge is performed by a trusted third-party verification service to confirm you are a real person (not a photo or mask). The service processes facial geometry data in real time and returns a confidence score and a single reference image. Avokindo does not perform any biometric or facial recognition processing itself.
- Reference Photo: One standard JPEG reference image from the liveness session is stored for future profile photo consistency checks.
- Face Comparison: When you update your profile photo, the image is sent to our verification service to compare against your stored reference photo. The service performs the comparison and returns a similarity score. Avokindo does not perform facial comparison processing itself.
3.2 How Face Data Is Used
Face data is used solely for identity verification purposes:
- Confirming you are a real person (liveness detection)
- Verifying that your profile photo matches your verified identity
- Preventing impersonation and fraud on the platform
Face data is never used for advertising, marketing, tracking, profiling, or any purpose other than identity verification.
3.3 Third-Party Processing
All facial analysis and biometric processing is performed by a trusted third-party service provider. Avokindo does not perform any facial recognition or biometric processing itself. Our provider processes face data solely for the purpose of liveness detection and face comparison on our behalf, and does not retain face data after processing is complete. For details on our third-party providers, please contact ask@avokindo.com.
3.4 Data Storage & Retention
- What We Store: Avokindo stores only a standard JPEG reference photo and verification metadata (confidence scores, timestamps, session IDs). We do not store biometric templates, faceprints, or facial geometry data.
- Storage Location: The reference photo and session metadata are stored in encrypted cloud storage, encrypted at rest.
- Retention Period: Face data is retained for as long as your account is active. Upon account deletion, all face data (reference photos and session records) is deleted within 30 days.
3.5 Your Rights Regarding Face Data
- You can request deletion of all face data at any time by contacting ask@avokindo.com.
- You can re-verify at any time, which replaces previous face data.
4. Information Sharing
4.1 With Other Users
- Your profile information, photos, and bio are visible to other users
- Your approximate location (city/region) is shared for event discovery
- Messages are shared with matched users only
4.2 With Third Parties
- Cloud Infrastructure Provider: Backend services, authentication, storage
- Payment Processors: Subscription management via Apple App Store and Google Play
- Identity Verification Provider: Facial verification services
- Analytics Providers: App performance and usage monitoring
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of our users and the public.
5. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures:
- Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
- Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view your data
- Regular Audits: Security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Server-Side Protection: Protected fields (trust score, verification status) can only be modified by our secure backend services
6. Your Rights & Choices
6.1 Access & Control
- Access Your Data: Request a copy of your personal data
- Update Information: Edit your profile and preferences in the app
- Delete Account: Request account deletion (some data retained for legal compliance)
- Opt-Out: Disable push notifications, email communications
6.2 Location & Permissions
- You can disable location services in your device settings
- Revoke camera, photo library, and notification permissions anytime
7. Data Retention
We retain your data for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter for the following purposes:
- Active Accounts: Indefinitely while account is active
- Deleted Accounts: Most data deleted within 30 days; some retained for legal compliance (up to 7 years)
- Messages: Retained as long as both users have accounts
- Analytics Data: Aggregated, anonymized data retained indefinitely
8. Children's Privacy
Avokindo is intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from users under 18. If we discover a user is under 18, we will promptly delete their account and data.
9. International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred and stored in countries other than your own, with servers primarily in the United States. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via:
- In-app notification
- Email to your registered address
- Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
11. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, contact us:
12. Legal Basis (GDPR/PDPA Compliance)
For users in regions with data protection laws (EU GDPR, Malaysia PDPA, etc.), our legal basis for processing your data includes:
- Consent: You provide consent when creating an account and using optional features
- Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide our services
- Legitimate Interests: Fraud prevention, security, service improvement
- Legal Obligations: Compliance with applicable laws