Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how NZLENSMAN LIMITED ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the vTown mobile application ("the App"). By using vTown, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information:
- Account information: Email address and authentication credentials, processed securely through Firebase Authentication.
- Age confirmation: At registration, you confirm that you are 16 years of age or older. We do not collect or store your date of birth, gender, or any other demographic profile data.
- Anonymous identity code: A randomly generated code (e.g. AB-3K7) assigned to each user as their public identity within the app. Your real name is never displayed.
- Location data: We collect device location to assign you to a local neighbourhood and show relevant nearby content. Before any location is stored on our servers it is rounded to approximately 100 metres so that your precise position is never persisted. We may also derive identifiers such as neighbourhood, region, or chat room from this rounded location to operate app features.
- User-generated content: Posts, replies, and chat messages you create within the app.
- Usage data: Basic usage information such as post counts and last active time, used to enforce community rate limits.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To create and manage your account.
- To assign you to a local neighbourhood based on your location.
- To display community content relevant to your area.
- To enforce community guidelines and rate limits.
- To send transactional emails such as email verification and password reset.
- To improve the app and user experience.
3. Anonymous Identity
vTown is designed with privacy in mind. Your public identity within the app is an anonymous code only — your real name, email address, and personal details are never visible to other users. You interact with your community purely through your assigned code.
4. Location Data
We use device location to assign you to a local neighbourhood and support location-based features such as showing nearby posts and the distance to each one. Before any location is stored in our backend, the latitude and longitude are rounded to approximately 100 metres — your precise location is never persisted on our servers and is never shared with other users. Other users may see only your assigned neighbourhood, region, or other location-based community context shown in the app, along with rough distance bands to nearby posts (e.g. "250 m", "500 m", "1 km").
5. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share data with the following trusted service providers solely to operate the app:
- Google Firebase: Authentication, database, and hosting services.
- Twilio SendGrid: Transactional email delivery (verification and password reset emails only).
These providers are bound by their own privacy policies and data protection obligations.
6. Data Retention
- Account data is retained until you delete your account.
- Live chat messages are hidden from users after approximately 48 hours. Some message records may remain in backend systems for a longer period before permanent deletion.
- Some posts may be time-limited in the app experience, but backend records may persist until deleted by automated backend processes or administrators.
- Community posts and replies submitted by users may be retained until removed by the user or by us for moderation, operational, or legal reasons.
- You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us. We will respond to privacy and account deletion requests within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable law.
7. Children's Privacy
vTown is not intended for users under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16. If we become aware that a user is under 16, their account will be removed.
8. Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information, including secure authentication via Firebase and encrypted data transmission. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
9. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights including:
- Access to the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction of inaccurate data.
- Deletion of your account and associated data.
- Objection to certain uses of your data.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@vtownapp.com.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or by email. Continued use of vTown after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to make a privacy or account deletion request, please contact us:
We will respond to requests within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable law.
This privacy policy was prepared for the vTown mobile application operated by NZLENSMAN LIMITED, a company registered in New Zealand.