Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Beyond West ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Beyond West website, iOS app, Android app, chatrooms, direct messages, and related services.

Beyond West is operated by Australian Web Enterprises. This policy applies to all Beyond West users, including people who access the service from the mobile apps distributed through Apple App Store, TestFlight, Google Play, Expo, or direct testing links.

By using our Service, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following personal information:

• Name and email address
• Profile information you choose to provide
• Payment information for subscription services
• Communication preferences

Usage Information

We automatically collect information about how you use our Service:

• Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited)
• Device information
• Usage patterns and preferences
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

User-Generated Content

We collect content you post in chatrooms, comments, and other interactive features of the Service so we can provide those features to you and other members.

Voice messages are user-generated content. When you choose to record and send a voice message, the Beyond West mobile app uses your device microphone to capture the audio you intentionally record. The app does not record audio in the background. Voice-message audio files are uploaded and stored so they can be delivered, played back in chat, reported for safety review, and deleted when permitted by the service rules.

Direct messages are user-generated content. Standard direct messages are stored so they can be delivered, displayed, reported, and moderated. Magic Messages are encrypted on your device before they are sent; we store the encrypted payload and message metadata such as sender, recipient, timestamps, and expiry time, but we do not receive the Magic Key.

Mobile App Permissions

The Beyond West mobile apps request device permissions only when needed to provide a feature you choose to use:

• Microphone: Used to record voice messages that you choose to send in chat or direct messages.
• Location: Used to show an approximate member dot on chatroom maps when you choose to share or refresh your location. We do not display your exact street address.
• Photo library and media: Used when you choose to attach images, videos, or profile media from your device.
• Notifications: Used to notify you about new messages and relevant account activity when you opt in.

You can deny or disable mobile permissions in your device settings. Some features, such as voice messages, member maps, media attachments, or push notifications, may not work without the related permission.

Location and Map Data

If you use chatroom member maps, we may collect approximate latitude and longitude, timestamp, device-provided accuracy, and your account identifier. We use this to display approximate online member dots and to reduce duplicate saved locations for the same user. We do not sell location data.

Push Notification Data

If you enable push notifications, we collect and store push tokens and basic device information needed to deliver notifications through Apple, Google, or Expo notification services.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our Service
• Process transactions and send related information
• Send you updates, newsletters, and marketing communications
• Respond to your comments, questions, and customer service requests
• Monitor and analyze usage patterns and trends
• Prevent fraudulent or illegal activities
• Operate safety controls, including reports, blocks, and moderation review
• Record, upload, deliver, play, and delete voice messages you choose to send
• Show approximate member locations on maps when location sharing is enabled
• Send push notifications about new messages when notifications are enabled
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent

We may share your information when you give us explicit consent to do so.

Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, authentication, file storage, notification delivery, maps, payment processing, email delivery, and analytics.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.

Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Public Areas

Information you post in public areas of the Service (such as chatrooms) is publicly available and may be seen by other users.

Safety Reports

If you report a user, message, or safety concern, we may receive the report reason, account identifiers, message metadata, and any message text or screenshots you choose to include. For Magic Messages, decrypted text is only included in a report if you unlock the message and choose to include that content.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

Voice-message files and other chat attachments are stored in controlled storage buckets and accessed through app-controlled links and permissions. We restrict access to operational data based on role and business need.

Magic Messages use client-side encryption with a user-supplied Magic Key. We cannot recover a lost Magic Key, and you should not share it inside a normal direct message. Share Magic Keys only through a trusted separate channel.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. We may also retain information to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Magic Messages expire according to the time selected by the sender. Expired Magic Messages are hidden and removed when conversations are loaded, and we also run scheduled cleanup to remove expired encrypted payloads from the direct-message store. Voice messages and other chat attachments may remain available until deleted by the user, removed by moderation, expired by a product rule, or removed during account deletion. Safety reports, account records, logs, backups, and abuse-prevention records may be retained where needed for security, legal compliance, dispute resolution, or abuse prevention.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request transfer of your information
• Objection: Object to processing of your information
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

If you have a Beyond West account, you can also initiate account deletion from your account settings in the Beyond West mobile app or on the web.

You can delete your own messages where the feature is available. Deleting a message removes it from normal display, but related safety reports, logs, or backups may remain for a limited period where necessary for security, legal compliance, or abuse prevention.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Service.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information during such transfers.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.

11. Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: