Privacy Policy

Last updated: 25 May 2026  ·  Effective: 25 May 2026

1. Who We Are

Nearby & Now ("we", "us", "our") is a hyperlocal event and news discovery service operated by Nearby & Now Ltd. Our registered address and contact details are available at hello@nearbyandnow.com.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and your rights in relation to it. It applies to our website (nearbyandnow.com), web app, and any iOS/Android applications we publish.

2. What Data We Collect

2.1 Data you provide

• Email address — if you choose to sign up for our weekly digest or to save events across devices. This is optional; you may use the app without providing an email.
• Display name and avatar — if you set up a profile within the app.

2.2 Data collected automatically

• Approximate location — either the location you type in manually, or (with your explicit permission) your device's GPS coordinates. Location is used solely to fetch relevant local events and is never stored on our servers without your consent.
• Saved events and preferences — stored locally on your device using AsyncStorage, and optionally synced to our database if you create an account.
• Usage analytics — we use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand aggregate usage patterns (page views, session length, feature clicks). This data is anonymised and does not identify you personally.
• Service worker and PWA install data — standard browser data used to enable offline capabilities and push notifications (if you grant permission).

2.3 Data we do NOT collect

• We do not collect financial or payment information.
• We do not create advertising profiles or sell your data to third parties.
• We do not use tracking pixels or third-party advertising SDKs.
• We do not collect data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately.

3. How We Use Your Data

• To provide the service — fetching and displaying events and news relevant to your chosen location.
• To send your weekly digest — if you have subscribed, we send a curated email of local events once per week. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email.
• To improve the product — aggregated, anonymised analytics help us understand which features are used and where we can improve.
• To maintain security and prevent abuse — server logs and rate-limit data may be retained for up to 30 days.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK/EU Users)

Where the UK GDPR or EU GDPR applies, we rely on the following lawful bases:

• Consent — for sending marketing emails and for accessing your device location.
• Legitimate interests — for anonymised analytics, service security, and improving the product.
• Contract — for fulfilling the service you have signed up for (e.g. delivering your weekly digest).

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We share data only in the following limited circumstances:

• Supabase — our database and authentication provider (hosted in the EU/US). Your email address and profile data, if provided, are stored here.
• Google Analytics — anonymised usage data. We have configured GA4 with IP anonymisation enabled.
• Legal requirements — if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of our users or the public.

All third-party providers are bound by data processing agreements that restrict them from using your data for any purpose other than providing their service to us.

6. Data Retention

• Email addresses and account data are retained until you delete your account.
• Local device data (saved events, preferences) is held on your device and can be cleared at any time by clearing the app's data or uninstalling it.
• Analytics data is retained in aggregated form for up to 26 months, in accordance with Google Analytics defaults.
• Server logs are retained for up to 30 days.

7. Your Rights

Under UK/EU GDPR you have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate data.
• Erasure — request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Restriction — ask us to restrict how we process your data in certain circumstances.
• Portability — receive your data in a machine-readable format.
• Object — object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@nearbyandnow.com. We will respond within 30 days.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk (UK) or your local supervisory authority (EU).

8. Cookies and Local Storage

We use browser local storage (not traditional cookies) to save your location preferences, saved events, and theme settings. This data stays on your device and is not transmitted to our servers unless you create an account.

Google Analytics uses its own cookies to measure aggregate traffic. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking via Google's opt-out browser add-on.

9. Push Notifications

If you grant notification permission, we may send you alerts about saved events or your weekly digest. You can revoke this permission at any time through your device or browser settings.

10. International Transfers

Our infrastructure providers (Supabase, Vercel, Google) may process data in the United States and other countries. Where this involves transfers outside the UK or EEA, we ensure adequate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

11. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including HTTPS encryption in transit and access controls on our database. No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security but we take our obligations seriously.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via the app or by email (if you have subscribed). The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will always reflect the current version. Continued use of the service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

Questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy? Reach us at:

Email: hello@nearbyandnow.com

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 business days.