1. Overview

Village Chat ("Service", "we", "us") operates the real-time location-based community service at www.village-chat.com. Village Chat is registered as a Location-Based Service Provider under the Act on the Protection and Use of Location Information (Korea). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

By using the Service, you agree to this policy.

2. Location-Based Service Description & Fees

Service content: Village Chat provides real-time chat rooms based on users' approximate geographic location, allowing people nearby to communicate anonymously.

• Location-based chat room assignment (nearest district/neighborhood)
• Global chat visible to all users regardless of location
• 1:1 private messaging between users

Fees: The Service is provided free of charge. No fees are charged for location information collection, use, or provision.

3. Information We Collect

Information you provide:

• Nickname and profile photo (avatar)
• Gender and nationality — user-selected display attributes only, not verified identifiers
• Self-introduction (bio, up to 80 characters)
• Chat messages (group and 1:1 private)
• Reputation votes (Boom Up / Down) given to other users

You may delete all of the above at any time via the "Delete Profile" button in the app.

Automatically collected:

• Personal location information — approximate location (lat/lng) collected with your consent via browser geolocation API. Coordinates are converted to a district/neighborhood name and exact coordinates are not stored on our servers.
• Device ID (random value, browser local storage only — duplicate-vote prevention)
• Language preference
• Usage logs (Google Analytics — page views, session duration)

Location information is collected only after obtaining your explicit consent. You may withdraw consent at any time (see Section 9).

4. How We Use Your Information

• Assigning you to a local chat room based on your approximate location
• Anti-spam enforcement and community moderation
• Displaying reputation scores and profiles to other users
• Service improvement and analytics (Google Analytics)
• Displaying relevant advertisements (Google AdSense)

Location information is used solely for chat room assignment and is not used for any other purpose without your separate consent.

5. Third-Party Service Providers

• Google Firebase (Firestore) — profiles, messages, and votes
• Google Analytics — usage analytics
• Google AdSense — advertising platform
• OpenStreetMap Nominatim — reverse geocoding (no personal data transmitted to servers)
• flagcdn.com — flag icons (country code only)

We do not provide personal location information to third parties beyond the above processors. If we ever provide your personal location information to a third party, you will be notified immediately.

6. Location Information Log Records

In accordance with the Act on the Protection and Use of Location Information (Article 16), we maintain automatic records of location information collection, use, and provision. These records are retained for 6 months and may be accessed by you upon request.

Legal basis for retention: Article 16(2) of the Act on the Protection and Use of Location Information

7. Data Retention and Deletion

• Profile data is retained until you delete it via the app
• Group chat messages may be retained for service continuity
• 1:1 messages are inaccessible after both parties leave the room
• Inactive profiles (30 days) may be automatically deleted
• Chat rooms are deleted once all participants have left
• Rooms inactive for 30 days are automatically deleted with all messages
• Spam ban records are retained for up to 7 days
• Device IDs are stored in browser local storage only — never transmitted to servers

Personal location information is destroyed when: (1) the purpose of collection/use has been achieved; (2) you withdraw your consent; or (3) the Service is suspended or closed.

8. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use browser local storage (not traditional cookies) to save your profile, language preference, and device ID. Google Analytics and AdSense may use cookies. You can opt out of personalized ads via Google Ad Settings.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 14. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 14. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will promptly delete it.

Users under 14 must obtain consent from a legal guardian for location information collection and use.

10. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal (location) information:

• Access & Correction — Request access to or correction of your personal information
• Deletion — Delete your profile via the "Delete Profile" button in the app at any time
• Withdraw Location Consent — You may withdraw consent to location collection at any time by denying location permission in your browser/device settings. Withdrawal does not affect prior lawful use.
• Suspend Location Use — You may request suspension of location information processing
• Review Location Log Records — You may request to view records of location information collection, use, and provision
• Correct Location Log Records — You may request correction of inaccurate log records

To exercise these rights, contact us at contact@village-chat.com.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be announced within the Service. Continued use constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact & Location Information Manager

The Location Information Manager is responsible for protection of personal location information in accordance with Article 16 of the Act on the Protection and Use of Location Information.