How Nearsy collects, uses, stores, and protects your information — and the control you keep over it.
Last updated: February 2026
Nearsy is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use the Nearsy mobile application (“App”). By creating an account, you agree to this Privacy Policy. as well as how that information is used and disclosed. If you have questions or concerns about this Policy, please contact us as set forth below.
We may modify or update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be conspicuously posted on the App or otherwise communicated to you. All changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the App.
We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly with you (“Personal Information”) when you use our Services. The Personal Information we collect falls into three categories: (1) information you provide to us and (2) information we collect through automated methods, each further detailed below. We will collect, use, and disclose such Personal Information pursuant to this Policy and as may be required or permitted by applicable law.
We collect Personal Information that you provide directly to us during account registration or use of the App. During account registration, we collect the Personal Information required to create your account, consisting of your name, profile picture, age, email, and phone number. We collect Personal Information that you choose to provide within your profile after account creation. This consists of information about your pictures, interests, where you live, hobbies, and other similar information. If you contact us, we will collect and use your name and contact information and any additional Personal Information you provide in your message or communications with us, if any.
We may collect the following information that you provide directly:
We do not collect sensitive data such as race, religion, political opinions, or biometric data unless voluntarily provided by the user.
To show users nearby, Nearsy collects approximate location ONLY when visibility is ON.
Nearsy does NOT:
Nearsy collects and processes the user’s location information in order to provide proximity-based features, such as showing nearby users.
We may automatically collect:
This helps us improve and secure Nearsy.
Nearsy collects and processes location data in both foreground and background modes only when the user enables the Visibility feature.
This location data is used exclusively to display nearby users and support the app’s core proximity-based functionality.
Background location is accessed only when the user has granted permission and only while the Visibility mode is ON.
When Visibility is OFF, Nearsy stops all location access immediately. Users can disable location access at any time from their device settings.
Nearsy uses:
Nearsy offers an optional contact-matching feature that allows users to identify whether a nearby profile corresponds to someone already in their phone contacts.
When the user grants permission to access Contacts:
The app reads phone numbers and email addresses stored on the device.
Contact names, notes, and other contact data are NOT collected.
Phone numbers and email addresses are normalized and transformed into secure one-way SHA-256 hashes directly on the user’s device.
Only these hashed identifiers are transmitted securely (via HTTPS) to our backend service (Firebase Firestore) and stored under the user’s account.
These hashes are used exclusively to determine whether a nearby Nearsy user matches an existing contact of the user.
Nearsy does NOT:
We use your data to:
We never sell user data.
Your profile appears to others only when:
When visibility is OFF or you leave the area:
You are always in control.
We may share data with trusted partners who help operate Nearsy, such as:
They are bound by confidentiality agreements.
Cloud hosting and database services (such as Google Firebase / Firestore)
Authentication services (such as Firebase Authentication)
We may share information to:
If you connect your social accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn, or others), you choose what information to share externally.
Nearsy is not responsible for activity on external platforms.
We use:
However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Nearsy does not use user data for tracking across apps or websites, and does not collect identifiers for advertising.
We keep your data as long as your account is active or as required by law.
When you delete your account, the following are permanently deleted after 30 days:
We may keep limited logs only for security, fraud prevention, or legal compliance.
Contact hashes generated for the contact-matching feature are retained only while the feature is enabled. If the user disables contact matching or deletes their account, associated contact hashes are permanently deleted.
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
Nearsy is for users 18+ only. We do not permit minors to create accounts. If we discover an underage user, we will delete the account immediately.
Your information may be processed and stored in:
We comply with applicable international privacy laws.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If significant changes occur, we will notify you through the app. Continued use of Nearsy means you accept the updated policy.