Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how AIKYEM, Inc. (“AIKYEM,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects information about you when you use the AIKYEM websites, applications, and related services (collectively, the “Platform”). It applies to all Users of the Platform and should be read together with our Terms of Service. By using the Platform, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

1. Who We Are

AIKYEM is a neighborhood group-buying platform that helps people pool demand into group buys. For the purposes of applicable data-protection laws, AIKYEM is the controller of the personal information described in this Policy. You can reach us through our Contact Us page.

2. Information You Provide to Us

• Account details — your email address, name, and ZIP code, which you provide at sign-up, along with a password (stored only in encrypted, hashed form).
• Profile information — an optional profile photo and optional interests you select, shown to other members of groups you join.
• Content — the intents you post, the details you add to them, images you upload, messages you send in group discussions, and polls you create or vote in.
• Communications — information you submit when you contact us, including through the Contact Us form (your name, email, and message).

3. Information We Collect Automatically

• Approximate location — only when you choose to share it (see Section 6).
• Device and connection data — your IP address and browser/user-agent string, which we receive when you interact with the Platform (for example, when you submit the Contact Us form) and use for security, abuse prevention, and troubleshooting.
• Usage and diagnostic data — first-party telemetry such as page views, feature interactions, request timings, and error reports, tied to a session identifier and, when you are signed in, your account, used to operate, secure, and improve the Platform.
• Local storage — we store your authentication token and certain preferences in your browser’s local storage so you stay signed in and the app functions (see Section 7).

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account and authenticate you, including sending verification and password-reset codes by email.
• Provide the Platform’s core features — surfacing nearby intents, showing approximate distance, and running participation features (joining, the alpha role, discussions, polls, and notifications).
• Communicate with you about your account, security, and service-related matters.
• Maintain safety and integrity — detecting, preventing, and responding to fraud, abuse, spam, and violations of our Terms.
• Analyze and improve the Platform, diagnose problems, and develop new features.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our agreements.

Where required by law, we rely on the following legal bases: performance of our contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating and securing the Platform, your consent (for example, for location sharing), and compliance with legal obligations.

5. How We Share Information

We share personal information only as described below:

• With other members — your name and profile photo are visible to members of groups you join, and your discussion messages are visible within an intent. Your email address and precise location are never shared with other members.
• With service providers — we use trusted third parties who process data on our behalf under contract, including cloud hosting and database infrastructure, our email-delivery provider (for verification and password-reset messages), and location-lookup services used to estimate distance. These providers may only use the data to provide services to us.
• For legal reasons — we may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or where we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of AIKYEM, our Users, or the public.
• In a business transfer — if AIKYEM is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy.
• With your consent — for any other purpose disclosed to you at the time.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with third parties for their own independent marketing.

6. Location Information

Location is always opt-in. When you choose to share it, we coarsen your coordinates to roughly a one-kilometer area before storing them — precise enough to estimate distance between you and an intent, and never precise enough to identify your exact address. You can decline or revoke location access at any time through your browser or device settings; if you do, you can still use the Platform, including entering a ZIP code to find nearby intents. To convert a ZIP code or coordinates into an approximate area, we may send that value to a third-party geolocation service.

7. Cookies and Local Storage

We use browser local storage and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, and operate essential features. These are necessary for the Platform to function. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or cross-site tracking. You can clear local storage through your browser, though doing so will sign you out and reset preferences.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the Platform, and thereafter as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent abuse, and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it. Some records (such as security or transaction-adjacent logs) may be retained for a limited period as part of routine operations.

9. Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect your information, including encryption in transit, hashed storage of passwords, access controls, and secret management for credentials. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your password confidential and for activity under your account. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately.

10. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the following rights:

• Access the personal information we hold about you and request a copy.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Delete your account and associated personal information.
• Object to or restrict certain processing, and withdraw consent (such as location sharing) at any time.
• Request portability of information you provided to us.

You can update your photo and interests from your profile, leave a group to stop sharing activity with it, and request account deletion. To exercise any right, contact us through the Contact Us page. We will respond as required by applicable law and may need to verify your identity before acting. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

11. U.S. State Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of California or another U.S. state with a comprehensive privacy law, you may have additional rights, including the right to know the categories of personal information we collect and the purposes for which we use them, the right to access and delete your information, and the right to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. AIKYEM does not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined under such laws. To exercise your rights, contact us as described above; you may use an authorized agent where the law permits.

12. International Users and Data Transfers

AIKYEM is operated from the United States, and the information we collect is processed and stored in the United States and other locations where our service providers operate. If you access the Platform from outside the United States, you understand that your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, which may have data-protection laws that differ from those of your country. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards for such transfers.

13. Children’s Privacy

The Platform is not directed to children, and you must be at least eighteen (18) years old to use it. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it. If you believe a minor has provided us information, please contact us.

14. Third-Party Services and Links

The Platform relies on third-party infrastructure and services, and interactions you have with other Users or Vendors, or with any external website or service, are governed by their own privacy practices. This Policy does not cover those third parties, and we are not responsible for their handling of your information. Please review their privacy policies.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy as the Platform evolves or as required by law. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Platform after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

16. Contact Us

For any question or request regarding this Policy or your personal information, reach us through our Contact Us page, and we will help with your privacy request.