Privacy Policy Howly

Welcome to the Privacy Policy of Howly. This document outlines how we gather and utilize your data, and provides information on how you can manage your information. Additionally, within our app, we display in-app notifications that offer further details about our products and services.

At Howly, transparency is fundamental to our ethos. We believe in being clear about the data we collect and how we employ it. For instance, we utilize your information to enhance your personalized experience by delivering content and information that aligns closely with your interests. This includes displaying more pertinent advertisements. Understanding your preferences enables us to offer a superior product experience.

Moreover, we uphold the principle that personalization should never compromise your privacy. Just as in real life, there are moments you prefer to share privately with close friends, while others you may choose to share publicly. From the outset, our approach has been to prioritize user control by defaulting to content deletion and empowering Howlers with tools to determine the fate of their content—deciding whom to share it with and when to save it.

This Policy applies to our Howly app and encompasses our other offerings such as advertising and commerce initiatives. When we refer to "Services" in this Policy, we encompass all aspects of our offerings. Likewise, when we mention "Terms," we are referring to the Terms of Service that users agree to upon signing up for our Services. Finally, the term "Howlers" is our shorthand for any user of our Services.

Taking Charge of Your Information

Having control over your information and settings is integral to the Howly app experience. Here, we provide detailed insights into the various settings available to you and offer guidance on how to delete data or close your account.

We empower you to manage your information through a variety of tools, including:

Access and Update Your Information: Easily access and edit most of your basic account details directly within our Services. Navigate to your settings to see the available options.
Delete Your Information: You have the option to delete your account entirely, as well as certain specific information within our Services.
Control Who Can See Your Content: Utilize our range of tools to select who can view your content. Whether it's sharing with friends or making it public, you decide.
Control Who Can Contact You: If you encounter unwanted communications, you can block and report the sender.
Modify Your Permissions: In most cases, you can change your permissions at any time.
Download Your Data: Request a copy of your information that may not be readily accessible within the Howly app in a portable format. This allows you to store or move it as you see fit.
Object to Processing: Depending on your location and the specific data involved, you may have the right to object to how we process certain information.

We are committed to ensuring that you have the tools and information necessary to manage your privacy effectively while enjoying the benefits of our app.

Information We Collect

This section outlines the types of information we collect from you. We categorize this into several groups: information you directly provide to us, information generated through your use of our Services, and information received from third parties. Additionally, with your consent, we may collect supplementary information.

When you engage with our Services, such as the Howly app, we gather information through the following means:

Information You Provide:
To create and manage your account, we require certain details from you, including personal information such as your name, username, email address, birthday, and phone number. When setting up your profile, you also furnish profile specifics like descriptions and a profile picture. If you utilize our commerce features to make purchases, we may collect payment and shipping information, along with transaction history.

Moreover, any information you transmit or save within our Services is also collected. This includes private communications such as direct messages and confidential group chats (like Territorial or Clandestine Wolfpacks). Conversely, certain content you share may be deemed public and accessible to all users (such as Caves, Wild Wolfpacks, City Howls, and Public Profile details). Please be aware that users viewing your public content may capture, save, or share it outside of the Howly app, so exercise caution when sharing sensitive information.

Lastly, when you contact our Support or Safety teams, or participate in our research initiatives (such as surveys or consumer panels), we gather relevant information to assist with your query or for research purposes.

We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that the collection of your information is handled with transparency and security.

Information We Generate When You Use Our Services:
When you engage with our Services, we gather various types of information to enhance your experience and improve our offerings. This includes:

Usage Information: We collect data on which of our Services you use and how you interact with them. This helps us understand user behavior and preferences, enabling us to refine and enhance our features.
Content Information: We capture details about the content you create or provide within our Services. This encompasses interactions with creative tools, as well as specifics such as when content was posted and who accessed it. Additionally, content information includes data derived from images, videos, or audio content itself.
Device Information: We gather information about your device, including hardware details, operating system, device memory, advertising identifiers, installed apps, browser type, and data from sensors such as motion and compasses. This also covers whether peripherals like headphones are connected, and details about your mobile and wireless connections.
Location Information: We may collect your IP address for general location information.
Information from Cookies and Similar Technologies: Depending on your settings, we utilize technologies like cookies, web beacons, and web storage to gather data about your activities on our platform. These technologies help us understand user engagement and improve our Services.
Log Information: We maintain logs that detail how you utilize our Services, including access times, pages viewed, IP addresses, and unique identifiers like cookies.

If you grant specific permissions at the device level, additional information may include:

Device Phonebook: Contact details and related information from your device's phonebook.
Camera and Microphone Access: Ability to capture photos, videos, and audio recordings using your device's camera and microphone.
Precise Location: GPS-based location data if you enable location services.

Data We Receive From Others:
In addition to the information you provide and that we generate, we also receive data from other sources, including:

Linked Third-Party Service Data: Information obtained when you link your Howly app account to other services.
Advertiser Data: Insights from advertisers, app developers, and publishers to improve ad targeting and performance measurement.
Contact Information from Other Users: If another user uploads their contact list containing your information, we may combine this with our existing data to facilitate better communication options. Alternatively, if you provide your contact information, we may use it to reach out via SMS, email, or other messaging services.
Data Relating to Terms of Service Violations: Information from third parties, such as website publishers, social network providers, and law enforcement, regarding potential violations of our Terms of Service.

We handle all collected data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and strive to maintain your trust by ensuring transparency and security in how we manage your information.

Additional Data, Subject to Your Consent:
Furthermore, there are occasions when your interaction with our Services prompts us to seek your consent for collecting additional information. For instance, before accessing your device’s camera roll or Contact Book, we will request permission.

How We Utilize Information

This section elaborates on how we leverage the data we gather. Our use of collected information includes:

Ensuring Seamless Operation(i.e., operating, delivering, and maintaining our Services):
We utilize collected information to operate, deliver, and maintain our Services effectively. This includes ensuring compatibility with the latest operating systems and devices.

Tailoring Your Experience and Adding Context
We strive to personalize the Howly app experience for Howlers by presenting content that is relevant and engaging based on the information you share with us. This personalization extends to suggesting friends, recommending Wolfpack invites, showcasing places on the Howly City Map, generating stickers, creating Howls, and other content using AI to align with your interests and activities. It also involves customizing the content displayed, including advertisements.

Our objective is to consistently deliver content that is more pertinent and captivating.
We believe in striking a balance between the benefits of personalization and our users' expectations of privacy. For example, while we may automatically tag Caves and Wild Wolfpacks for personalization purposes such as recommendations or ads, we do not utilize private content and communications you share with friends for these purposes.

Delivering Relevant Advertisements
Another aspect of our personalized service involves the ads we display. We utilize information from Caves descriptions and labels to tailor, target, and measure advertisements effectively. We prioritize showing ads that are relevant to your interests and ensure they are presented at optimal times. Similar to our content approach, we aim to provide a diverse selection of ads and avoid displaying irrelevant ones.
Regarding information gathered through cookies and similar technologies, we may use these to enhance interactions with Services provided through our partners. For instance, data collected on an advertiser’s website may inform us to show you more relevant ads. Most web browsers default to accepting cookies. However, you can usually manage cookie settings through your browser or device preferences. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may impact the availability and functionality of our Services.

Develop & Enhance Features, Algorithms & Machine Learning Models
Our teams are constantly innovating to introduce new features and enhance our Services. This involves ongoing development and refinement of the algorithms and machine learning models that underpin our platform.
We prioritize privacy in the development process and strive to minimize the use of personal information beyond what is necessary for feature and model development.

Analytics
Understanding user trends and demand is crucial for improving our Services. For example, we analyze metadata and usage patterns related to Wolfpacks to inform decisions such as adjusting feature elements like maximum group size. By studying Howlers' data, we gain insights into how our Services are utilized, inspiring broader enhancements to the Howly app.
Our analytics efforts help us identify trends and usage patterns that guide our strategic decisions and user engagement strategies.

Research
Research is pivotal in gaining insights into consumer interests, trends, and community usage patterns of our Services. This research, coupled with analytics, deepens our understanding of our user base and their integration of our Services into their daily lives. We engage in research and development to pioneer new technologies and methodologies, including advancements in machine learning models and hardware. Research outcomes may influence feature enhancements on the Howly app, and we may share findings in papers that aggregate data across our user base, ensuring no individual's private information is disclosed.

Enhance Safety & Security
Your information is instrumental in bolstering the safety and security of our platform, thwarting fraud, and combating unauthorized or illegal activities.

Communications
We may reach out to you to introduce new features or highlight existing ones via various channels such as the Howly app, email, SMS, or other messaging platforms where permitted. This includes sharing information about our Services and promotional offers tailored to your interests. Additionally, we communicate to provide updates, alerts, or fulfill user requests, such as sending invites or sharing Howly app content with non-users.

Support
Prompt and effective support is our priority when assisting the Howlers community and our partners with Service-related issues. We use the information collected to resolve queries efficiently.

Enforcement of Terms & Policies
We employ the data we collect to uphold our Terms of Service and comply with legal requirements. This includes investigating and addressing violations of our policies and applicable laws, responding to law enforcement requests, and meeting legal obligations. For instance, we take action against unlawful content on our platform and cooperate with law enforcement and industry partners as necessary.

Sharing Your Information

This section outlines who receives your information, what type of information is shared, and the reasons for sharing, including scenarios where information may be transferred internationally.

Recipients & Purposes of Sharing

Howly App: To facilitate our Services for you and our community, we may share information with your friends on Howly app or other Howlers.
Public Exposure: While some features on Howly app are private and restricted to friends, many, such as Caves, Wild Wolfpacks, City Howls, and your Public Profile, are public and may be discoverable outside the app, including on the web.
Third-Party Applications: Certain features allow you to connect with third-party applications. If you choose to link your Howly app account with such applications, we will share any additional information as directed by you.
Service Providers: We share information about your activity with service providers who process this data on our behalf. For example, they assist with payment processing or optimize ad performance. Private communications are not shared with these providers.
Business and Integrated Partners: Information about your activity is shared with business and integrated partners to deliver our Services. This excludes private communications.
Anti-Fraud Collaborators: Information, such as device and usage data, is shared with industry partners to combat fraud.
Legal, Safety, and Security Partners: We share information about your activity as required by law or for legal, safety, and security reasons, including responding to legal requests, enforcin Terms of Service, protecting rights, and addressing fraud or security issues.
Affiliates: We may share your information within our internal subsidiaries as necessary to provide our Services.
Merger or Acquisition: In the event of a merger or acquisition, your personal information may be transferred to a successor or affiliate as part of the transaction.
Integrated Partnerships: Our Services may include integrations with content and features offered by integrated partners. Any information provided through these integrations may be shared with both the integrated partner and Howly app. We are not responsible for how these partners collect or use your information and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

International Data Transfers
Our Services connect you globally, necessitating the collection, transfer, storage, and processing of your personal information in countries outside your own. When sharing information internationally, we implement safeguards required by applicable laws to protect your data.

Retention of Your Information
This section details how long we retain your information, the reasons for retention, and how we comply with legal obligations. We generally retain information as long as necessary to provide our Services or as required by law. Specific factors influencing retention periods include operational needs, user settings, and legal requirements. For instance, we retain basic account details to maintain your account and delete Chats within 24 hours by default.

Region-Specific Information
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional rights regarding your data. This section provides specific details tailored to regional requirements.

Our Audience

Our Services are directed to individuals 16 years and older.

Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 16, and you must confirm that you are 16 years or older in order to create an account and use our Services. If we have actual knowledge that you are under the age of 16 (or the minimum age at which a person may use the Services in your state, province, or country without parental consent, if greater), we will stop providing Services to you and delete your account and data.

In addition, we may also limit how we collect, use, and store some of the information of Howlers under 18. In some cases, this means we will be unable to provide certain functionality to people under the age of 18.

Updates to the Privacy Policy

We may periodically update our Privacy Policy. Changes will be communicated to you, either by revising the policy's date or providing additional notice through our platforms.

Have questions about this information? Contact us.