Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 7, 2026

AnChat is a group chat app where members can see who is in a chat, but each message is shown under an alias rather than the sender's name. This policy explains what information AnChat collects, how it is used, and the choices you have.

Information we collect

• Phone number. Used to sign you in with a one-time verification code and to identify your account.
• Display name. The name you choose. It is shown on the member list of every chat you join.
• Messages and reactions. The text you send, replies, and emoji reactions. These are shown to members of the chat under your alias for that chat.
• Chat photos. If you choose a photo for a chat, the image is uploaded and shown to that chat's members. AnChat only accesses your photo library when you pick a photo.
• Chat membership. Which chats you belong to, when you joined, your role (admin or member), the alias assigned to you in each chat, and when you last read each chat.
• Push notification token. A device identifier used to deliver notifications about new messages. It is not visible to other users.
• Reports and blocks. If you report a message, we store a copy of the message, its alias, and your account so the report can be reviewed. If you block an alias, we store that choice on your account.

AnChat does not collect your location, contacts, browsing history, or advertising identifiers, and it contains no third-party advertising or analytics tools.

How aliases and anonymity work

In each chat you are given a random alias (for example "Silent Otter"). Your messages and reactions carry only that alias. Other members can see your name on the member list, but the app does not show them which alias is yours.

The link between your account and your alias is stored on our servers so the app can work. It is protected so that other users cannot read it. Our servers use it automatically to avoid sending you notifications about your own messages, to credit monies for reactions your messages get, and for Peek (below). We do not otherwise look up who is behind an alias, except when reviewing a report of abusive content, enforcing these policies, or when required by law.

Peek. Members earn monies when others react to their messages. A member of a chat can spend monies to Peek at one alias in that chat, which privately shows them the name of the member using it. You are told when someone has peeked at your alias, but never who. Peek works only on aliases in a chat you are both in, and a vote to re-anonymize the chat gives everyone new aliases.

How we use information

• To create and secure your account and sign you in.
• To deliver messages, reactions, and notifications to chat members.
• To review reports and keep AnChat free of abusive content.
• To respond to legal requests and prevent misuse.

We do not sell your information, use it for advertising, or track you across other apps and websites.

Who we share information with

AnChat is built on Google Firebase, which stores data and delivers messages, sign-in codes, and notifications on our behalf. Push notifications are delivered through Apple Push Notification service and Firebase Cloud Messaging. These providers process data only to provide their services to AnChat. You can read Google's privacy terms at firebase.google.com/support/privacy.

Within the app, your display name is visible to members of chats you join, and your messages are visible to those members under your alias. We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the safety of our users.

Objectionable content

AnChat does not tolerate abusive or objectionable content. You can report any message or block an alias from the message's reaction menu. We review reports and may remove content or accounts that break these rules.

Keeping and deleting your information

We keep your information while your account is active. You can delete your account at any time from Settings in the app. When you do:

• Your profile, phone number, push tokens, blocks, and read history are deleted, and you are removed from every chat.
• The link between your account and your aliases is deleted. Messages you sent stay in their chats under your alias, so the conversation still makes sense for other members, but they are no longer connected to you.
• Chats where you were the only member are deleted entirely.
• Reports you submitted may be kept for a limited time where needed to finish reviewing them.

Children

AnChat is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.

Security

Data is sent over encrypted connections and protected by access rules that limit each user to the chats they belong to. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your information. You can delete your account in the app, or contact us for any other request, including changing your display name.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we will update the date above and, for significant changes, let you know in the app.

Contact

Questions or requests about privacy: codeslateinterview@gmail.com