Privacy Policy
Last Updated: April 2026
VeloFriend is built with a Privacy-First architecture. This policy explains how we handle your data, focusing on our commitment to local processing and user control.
Note on AI: VeloFriend uses "On-Device Machine Learning" to calculate your Rider DNA. Your raw activity data never leaves your phone for AI analysis purposes.
1. The Velo Beacon & Location
The core social feature of VeloFriend is the Velo Beacon. When you activate "Ready to Ride":
- Real-Time Location: Your GPS coordinates are shared with other nearby VeloFriend users for a limited duration (15 minutes).
- Visibility Tiers: You can choose to "fuzz" your location in settings, which adds a random offset to your marker for increased privacy.
- Public Profile Requirement: Activating the beacon requires your profile to be set to "Public" so others can identify who is signaling.
2. Health Data & Athlete Type
We access fitness data via Google Health Connect or manual input to fuel your Velo-Gotchi and calculate your Rider DNA.
- Local AI Analysis: Our algorithms (SportPersonalityLogic) process your distance, speed, and intensity locally on your device to determine your Athlete Type (e.g., Speed Demon, Endurance Master).
- Storage: Only the resulting "Badge" or "Athlete Type" name is stored on our secure servers if you choose to display it on your public profile. Your raw, minute-by-minute heart rate or power data is NOT uploaded.
3. Social Interactions
When you interact with the community:
- Waves & Join Requests: Sending a "Wave" or a "Join Ride" request shares your nickname and current location with the recipient to facilitate the meetup.
- Velo-Gotchi: Other users can see your Velo-Gotchi's name and evolution stage, but not your specific training volume.
4. Data Control & Deletion
You have full control over your data footprint:
- Revoke Access: You can disconnect Health Connect at any time via Android System Settings.
- Go Stealth: You can switch your profile to "Private" to instantly disappear from the live map and discovery features.
- Account Deletion: Deleting your account via the app settings permanently purges your profile, friendship links, and history from our systems.
5. Contact & Transparency
VeloFriend is developed with transparency in mind. If you have questions about our local AI processing or location handling, contact us at:
contact@getvelofriend.com