Proximate Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 02, 2026

Proximate Applications (Proximate) Pty Ltd (“we,” “us,” “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information—including especially your precise location—when you use the Proximate mobile application (the “App”).

1. Information We Collect

A. Precise Location Data (GPS)

• We collect your real-time precise geolocation (latitude/longitude) whenever the App is open and, if you allow it, when the App is running in the background.
• Location data is collected with up to ~3–10 meter accuracy on most devices.
• Your exact location is never visible.Only your approximate location is visible to other Proximate users who are within the distance filter you select (e.g., 1 km, 5 km, etc.).
• When you are offline or turn off location services, your last known location may still be displayed for up to 15 minutes until the system confirms you are no longer sharing.

B. Other Personal Information

• Account: name, email, phone number, profile photos, age, gender, sexual orientation, bio
• Messages and interactions
• Device identifiers, IP address, OS version, usage analytics, crash reports

2. How We Use Your Location Data

• Show you other users who are physically nearby right now
• Enable real-time distance calculations and map features
• Power notifications when someone you liked enters your radius
• Detect potential spoofing or GPS manipulation for safety and anti-abuse

3. Who Sees Your Precise Location?

• Only other logged-in Proximate users who match your preferences and are within your selected distance.
• Your exact coordinates are never publicly searchable and are not shared with advertisers or third-party apps.
• We do not sell your location data.

4. Location Privacy Controls (You Control This)

• Turn off “Show My Location” anytime in the app → your profile instantly disappears from others’ maps
• Adjust your maximum visibility radius (100 m – 100 km)
• Pause or disable background location in your phone settings
• Delete your account → all location history is permanently erased within 24 hours

5. Location Data Retention

We retain your precise location history for a maximum of 7 days solely for safety, support, and anti-abuse purposes. After 7 days it is automatically and permanently deleted. Live location data is never stored longer than necessary.

6. Safety & Reporting

We use location patterns to detect suspicious behavior (e.g., impossible travel speeds). If you feel unsafe, use the in-app “Report & Block” or “Emergency” features—your current location is automatically included in reports to help moderators act quickly.

7. Legal Bases (EU/UK GDPR) & POPIA

• Processing of your precise geolocation is based on your explicit consent (Article 6(1)(a) & Article 9(2)(a) GDPR).
• You can withdraw consent at any time with immediate effect.
• We are also bound and comply with the obligations and requirements of the South African Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) Act, No.4 of 2013, as amended.

8. All Other Privacy Topics

For information about cookies, analytics, privacy, international transfers, your rights (access, deletion, portability, etc.), POPIA, security measures, please contact our legal team.

9. Data Retention (Non-Location)

Profile and message data is kept while your account is active. Upon account deletion, we delete or anonymize everything within 30 days (except location history, which is deleted within 24 hours).

10. Your Rights & Choices

• Access, correct, export, or delete your data via Settings or by legal@proximate.co.za
• Opt out of non-essential data collection anytime
• EU/UK residents: rights to object, restrict, and port your data

11. Security

Location and personal data are encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols.

12. Contact Us