Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 29, 2026

Last Updated: July 1, 2026

Introduction

Welcome to Faro. This Privacy Policy explains how Dragon Group LLC, doing business as Dragon Group Studio ("we," "us," or "our"), collects, uses, discloses, and protects your information when you use the Faro mobile application. By using Faro, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you create an account and use Faro, we collect the following personal information:

• Account Information: Email address, username, display name, and authentication credentials
• Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, age, gender, and other information you choose to share
• User ID: A unique identifier assigned to your account

Location Information

Faro uses your location to help you discover groups and community activity near you. We collect and process:

• Precise Location Data: Real-time GPS coordinates used to find and suggest nearby groups and local community content
• Geohash Data: Encoded location data for efficient proximity lookups
• Location History: Cached location data to optimize app performance

Location data helps surface the groups and local community nearest to you.

Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information about your use of the app:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers
• App Usage Data: Features accessed, interactions with other users, session duration
• Analytics Data: App performance metrics, crash reports, and usage statistics via Firebase Analytics

Device Tracking for Abuse Prevention

To maintain a safe and secure platform for all users, we collect and store:

• Device Identifier (IDFV): A unique identifier for your device that persists across app installations
• Device Association: We link your device identifier to your user account to enforce our Terms of Service

Purpose: Device tracking enables us to enforce device-level restrictions for users who repeatedly violate our community guidelines.

Device Ban Policy: Device bans are reserved for serious and repeated violations, including harassment, threats, spam, impersonation, and illegal activities.

Appeals: If you believe your device was banned in error, please contact us at DGS_Support@dragongroupstudio.com.

Data Retention: Device identifiers are retained for the duration of any active ban and for 12 months after a ban is lifted.

Communications Data

When you use Faro's messaging features:

• Messages: Content of messages you send and receive through the app
• Message Metadata: Timestamps, sender/recipient information, read status

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

Core Functionality

• Help you discover nearby groups and local community
• Enable messaging and communication between users
• Maintain and improve app performance and user experience

Account Management

• Create and manage your user account
• Authenticate users and maintain account security
• Process profile updates and preferences

Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve features and functionality
• Monitor app performance and fix technical issues
• Optimize location-based queries for nearby groups and community content

Safety and Security

• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights and safety of users

Data Sharing and Disclosure

Information Shared with Other Users

By design, Faro shares certain information with other users:

• Public Profile Information: Display name, profile photo, bio, and other profile details you add are visible to other users
• Group & Community Activity: Content you post in the community feed or in groups is visible to other members

Faro does not display your precise location or share your exact coordinates with other users.

Third-Party Service Providers

We use the following third-party services to operate Faro:

• Firebase (Google): Backend infrastructure, authentication, database, storage, and analytics — Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
• Apple Services: Push notifications, in-app purchases, and app distribution — Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

These providers may process your data on our behalf in accordance with their privacy policies.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal processes, requests from law enforcement, or to protect the rights and safety of users.

Data Storage and Security

Storage Location

Your data is stored using Firebase services, which may store data in various Google Cloud Platform regions.

Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encrypted data transmission using HTTPS/TLS
• Firebase Authentication security features
• Firestore security rules to control data access
• Regular security assessments and updates

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services:

• Account Data: Retained until account deletion
• Analytics Data: Retained according to Firebase Analytics retention policies
• Messages: Retained until deleted by users or account closure

Your Rights and Choices

Account Management

You can:

• Update your profile information within the app
• Modify your privacy settings and preferences
• Delete your account and associated data

Location Services

You can control location access through iOS device settings: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Faro

Disabling location services will limit core app functionality.

Data Access and Deletion

You have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your account and data

To exercise these rights, contact us at DGS_Support@dragongroupstudio.com.

Children's Privacy

Faro is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. By using Faro, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries where Firebase/Google Cloud Platform operates.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information
• Right to request deletion of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

Faro does not sell your personal information.

European Union Users (GDPR)

If you are in the European Union, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation including rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability, and the right to object to processing. Contact us at DGS_Support@dragongroupstudio.com to exercise these rights.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be communicated through in-app notifications and an updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. Continued use of Faro after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

Developer: Dragon Group Studio (Dragon Group LLC)
Email: DGS_Support@dragongroupstudio.com

Acknowledgment

By using Faro, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.