Benny Privacy Policy

By using Benny, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

The information we collect includes:

Information you give us

• Account information. When you create an account, we collect your email address and a display name. If you sign in with a third-party service such as Sign in with Apple or Google Sign-In, we receive the information you authorise that service to share with us (typically your email address or a private relay address).
• Content you create in the App. Chores, tasks, routines, schedules, household or group names, reminders, notes, and any other content you enter while using Benny.
• Gamification data. Your in-app progress, such as streaks, levels, rewards, in-app currency balances, and customisations linked to your account.
• Communications. If you contact us (for example at info@thebennyapp.com), we keep a record of that correspondence so we can help you.

Information collected automatically

• Device and technical information. Device type, operating system version, app version, language, time zone, IP address, and unique installation identifiers.
• Usage information. How you interact with the App, such as which features you use and how often, collected through analytics tools.
• Crash and performance data. Crash logs and diagnostic information that help us find and fix bugs.

Information from purchases

Subscriptions and in-app purchases are processed by the Apple App Store or Google Play. We do not collect or store your credit card or payment details. The respective app stores handle payment. We receive limited transaction information (such as a purchase confirmation and subscription status) so we can unlock paid features on your account.

We do not knowingly collect sensitive information (such as health, biometric, or financial account information).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• provide, operate and maintain the App, including syncing your chores and progress across your devices;
• create and manage your account and, where relevant, shared households or groups;
• process and manage subscriptions and unlock premium features;
• send you service communications, such as reminders and notifications you have enabled, and important notices about your account or changes to our terms;
• understand how the App is used so we can improve features, fix bugs and develop new ones;
• provide customer support and respond to your requests;
• keep the App safe, prevent fraud and abuse, and enforce our Terms & Conditions; and
• comply with our legal obligations.

Where the GDPR applies, we rely on the following legal bases: performance of our contract with you (providing the App), our legitimate interests (improving and securing the App), your consent (e.g. optional notifications or marketing emails, which you can withdraw at any time), and compliance with legal obligations.

3. Marketing and Analytics

We keep your personal information private. Specifically:

• We do not sell your personal information.
• We do not share your personal information with third parties for their marketing or advertising purposes.
• Analytics data we use to improve Benny is used internally, and wherever practical is aggregated or de-identified so it does not identify you personally.
• If we ever send you marketing emails about Benny, you can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link or by emailing info@thebennyapp.com.

4. Third-Party Service Providers

We share information only with service providers who help us run Benny, and only to the extent needed for them to do their job. They are not permitted to use your information for their own purposes.

Google Firebase

Benny is built on Google Firebase, which acts as our database and backend infrastructure. Firebase processes data on our behalf as a data processor under Google's Data Processing and Security Terms. The Firebase services we use include:

• Cloud Firestore: stores your account data, chores and in-app progress, and syncs them across your devices.
• Firebase Authentication: manages sign-in. It processes information such as email addresses, passwords, IP addresses and user agents to enable sign-up and sign-in and to prevent abuse. Google retains authentication IP logs for a few weeks; other authentication data is retained until deletion is requested, after which it is removed within 180 days.
• Firebase Crashlytics: collects crash traces, device information and installation identifiers to help us diagnose crashes. Google retains this data for 90 days.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging: uses installation identifiers to deliver push notifications you have enabled.
• Google Analytics for Firebase: collects usage events and device information to help us understand how the App is used.

Firebase encrypts data in transit and holds ISO 27001 and SOC 1, 2 and 3 certifications. You can read more about Firebase's privacy and security practices at firebase.google.com/support/privacy.

App stores

The Apple App Store and Google Play process your payments under their own terms and privacy policies.

We may also disclose information if required by law, regulation or court order, or where reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of Benny, our users or the public.

5. International Data Transfers

Benny is operated from Australia, but our service providers (including Google Firebase) may store and process data on servers located outside Australia, including in the United States and other countries where Google or its agents maintain facilities. Under Australian Privacy Principle 8, we take reasonable steps to ensure overseas recipients handle your personal information consistently with the APPs, including by relying on Google's data processing terms and its compliance with recognised frameworks such as the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

6. Data Retention

We keep your personal information only for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the App to you, and afterwards only as long as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements. When you delete your account, we delete or de-identify your personal information within a reasonable period, subject to the deletion timeframes of our service providers described above (for example, Firebase completes deletion of associated data within 180 days).

7. Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. This includes encryption of data in transit, access controls, and reliance on the certified security infrastructure of Google Firebase. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please use a strong, unique password and keep it confidential.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Everyone

• Access and correction. You can view and edit most of your information directly in the App. You may also request access to, or correction of, the personal information we hold about you.
• Deletion. You can delete your account in the App's settings or by emailing us at info@thebennyapp.com, and we will delete your personal information as described in Section 6.
• Notifications. You can turn push notifications on or off in the App or in your device settings.

Australia

You have rights under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) to request access to and correction of your personal information. If you believe we have breached the APPs, please contact us first at info@thebennyapp.com, and we will respond within a reasonable period. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.

European Economic Area, United Kingdom and similar jurisdictions

Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, you also have the rights to data portability, to restrict or object to processing, to withdraw consent at any time (without affecting prior processing), and to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

United States

Depending on your state of residence, you may have rights to know, access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of your personal information, and to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell or share your personal information as those terms are defined under US state privacy laws. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at info@thebennyapp.com. We may need to verify your identity before actioning a request.

9. Children's Privacy

Benny is intended for users aged 16 and over. Users under 18 may only use the App with the consent of a parent or guardian. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child under 16 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@thebennyapp.com, and we will delete it.

10. Links to Other Sites and Services

The App or our website may contain links to third-party sites or services that we do not operate. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App, by email, or by posting a notice on thebennyapp.com before the change takes effect. The “Last updated” date at the top tells you when this policy was last revised. Your continued use of Benny after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:

• Email: info@thebennyapp.com
• Website: thebennyapp.com