Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2026. Effective for all users of the TalkHood app.

Who we are

TalkHood is a hyperlocal community app for India. This policy explains what information we collect, why, and how we protect it. Contact us at support@talkhood.in with any questions.

Information we collect

• Account information: your name, email address, and password (or your Google account details if you sign in with Google).
• Phone number: optional, only if you choose to verify it.
• Address and location: your address/PIN code and GPS location, used only to match you with communities near you.
• Content you post: posts, comments, and photos you choose to share.
• Usage data: basic activity like login times, so we can keep your account secure and measure how the app is used.

Your anonymity on TalkHood

Your real name, email, phone number, and address are never shown to other users. Everyone sees you only by an anonymous username that TalkHood generates automatically. Only TalkHood's administrators can access your real identity, and only for account security, moderation, or legal purposes.

How we use your information

• To create and secure your account, and verify it's really you (email/phone verification, login).
• To match you with communities and posts near your location.
• To moderate content and enforce our Terms of Service — including automated checks and, where you use it, an optional AI writing assistant for your own posts.
• To respond to support requests and legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information to anyone.

Third-party services we use

To operate TalkHood, some data passes through trusted service providers, each only for the specific purpose below:

• MongoDB Atlas — stores app data securely.
• ImageKit — hosts photos you attach to posts.
• Google Gemini — automatically scans post/comment text and images for policy violations, and (only if you use it) can help rewrite your own draft posts. Your content is sent to Gemini only for these purposes.
• Google Sign-In — if you choose to sign in with Google, we verify your identity through Google.
• Email/SMS providers — used only to send you one-time verification codes.

Data retention and deletion

You can delete your account at any time from Profile → Settings → Delete Account, or via our account deletion page. Deleted accounts enter a 30-day grace period (in case you change your mind), after which your data is permanently removed from our systems.

Security

Passwords are never stored in plain text. All traffic between the app and our servers is encrypted. Access to identifying information is restricted to what's needed for the app to function.

Children's privacy

TalkHood is intended for users aged 18 and older, in line with India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as TalkHood evolves. Material changes will be reflected here with an updated date.

Governing law

This policy is governed by the laws of India.