Privacy Policy

1. Who controls your information

Democrats Ltd is the operator of DemChats and the controller of personal information described in this policy. You can contact us through the contact form, selecting “Privacy and data”.

2. Information we collect

• Account information: email address, username, profile photo, avatar, biography, interests and authentication records.
• Content and activity: rooms, public posts, reactions, voice notes, media, live streams, replays, Reels, comments, follows, saves and reports. Private messages are not displayed in the admin moderation feed, but automated checks and investigations may process them.
• Transactions: purchases, coins, gifts, fees, bookings, donations, subscriptions, listings, advertisements, wallet balances, withdrawal requests and payout details. Payment-card details are handled by our payment provider rather than stored in full by DemChats.
• Marketplace and safety checks: listings, offers, service information, profile and vehicle photos, selfies, photo ID, driving licence, insurance and right-to-work evidence where required.
• Location: with permission, device location is rounded before storage and used to order nearby content and services. We do not publicly display your precise stored coordinates.
• Technical and support information: device, browser, IP address, security and error records, cookie or local-storage settings, and information included in contact enquiries.

3. How and why we use information

• Provide accounts, chat, streaming, recommendations, marketplaces, rides, bookings, payments and support.
• Perform contracts and process requested transactions.
• Moderate content, investigate reports, prevent fraud and protect users and the service.
• Verify sellers, hosts, organisers and drivers, including assisted image or document checks and human review.
• Personalise feeds and rank nearby content where location is available.
• Meet legal, accounting, safeguarding and regulatory obligations.
• Improve reliability and features based on our legitimate interests, balanced against your rights.

Where the law requires consent, such as device location permission, you can refuse or withdraw it through your device or browser settings.

4. Automated systems

DemChats uses automated systems to recommend rooms and help screen text, images and verification evidence. These systems may flag, block or prioritise material for review. Administrators can review safety and verification outcomes. Contact us if you want to challenge a decision that significantly affects you.

5. Who receives information

We share information only as needed with infrastructure, authentication, payment, live-streaming, mapping, moderation and other service providers; with another user where a feature requires it; with professional advisers; or with authorities where legally required. Public profile and user-generated content can be seen and copied by others. Identity documents and private media are not public.

Some providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where required, we use recognised safeguards for international transfers.

6. Retention

We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes above. Public content remains until deleted, removed or the relevant feature expires. Opt-in stream replays are normally kept for seven days. Transaction, fraud-prevention and legal records may be retained longer where law or a dispute requires it. Identity evidence is retained only for verification, safety and legal needs, then deleted or anonymised when no longer required.

7. Security

We use access controls, private storage and time-limited links for sensitive media. No online service can guarantee absolute security. Keep your password confidential and contact us promptly if you believe your account is compromised.

8. Your rights

Depending on the law that applies, you may ask to access, correct, delete, restrict or receive your information, object to certain uses, withdraw consent, or complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office. We may need to verify your identity and may retain information where the law permits or requires it.

9. Children

DemChats is not intended for children under 13. Users under 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian where required and cannot use services restricted to adults, including acting as a driver, seller, host or fundraiser organiser.

10. Cookies and device storage

We use essential cookies and device storage to keep you signed in, protect the service and remember settings such as sound preferences. Providers may set necessary cookies when delivering authentication, payments or streaming.

11. Changes

We may update this policy as services or legal duties change. The effective date above shows the latest version. Material changes may also be announced in the service.