Overview
start.chat respects your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data.
Key points:
- We don’t sell your personal data
- You own your content
- You can export or delete your data anytime
- We use minimal tracking
Information We Collect
Information you provide
- Account data: email address, username, profile picture
- Content: messages, files, images you share in channels and direct messages
- Server data: servers you create or join, roles, permissions
- Payment data: if you subscribe to paid plans, our payment processor (Stripe) handles billing information
Information collected automatically
- Usage data: features you use, interactions, timestamps
- Device data: browser type, operating system, IP address
- Cookies: essential cookies for authentication and preferences
How We Use Your Information
We use your data to:
- Provide and maintain the service
- Send you notifications you’ve opted into
- Process payments
- Improve the service based on usage patterns
- Detect and prevent abuse, spam, and security threats
- Comply with legal obligations
We do not:
- Sell your data to third parties
- Use your message content for advertising
- Train AI models on your private messages without consent
Data Sharing
We share data only when:
- You direct us to: sharing content in public channels, inviting users
- Service providers: hosting (infrastructure), payments (Stripe), email delivery
- Legal requirements: valid legal process, court orders, or to protect rights and safety
- Business transfers: if start.chat is acquired, with notice to you
Your Rights
You can:
- Access your data via account settings or by contacting us
- Export your data in standard formats (JSON)
- Correct inaccurate information in your profile
- Delete your account and associated data
- Object to certain processing activities
- Withdraw consent for optional data collection
For EU/EEA residents (GDPR)
You have additional rights under GDPR including data portability and the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
For California residents (CCPA)
You have the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion, and opt-out of sale (though we don’t sell your data).
Data Security
We protect your data with:
- Encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest
- Regular security assessments
- Access controls and authentication
- Infrastructure monitoring
No system is 100% secure. If we discover a breach affecting your data, we’ll notify you as required by law.
Data Retention
We retain your data while your account is active. When you delete your account:
- Profile data is deleted immediately
- Message content is deleted within 30 days
- Some data may be retained longer for legal compliance or legitimate business purposes (e.g., billing records)
Cookies
We use:
- Essential cookies: authentication, security, preferences
- Analytics cookies (optional): understanding how the service is used
You can control cookies through your browser settings.
Children
start.chat is not intended for users under 13. We don’t knowingly collect data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us immediately.
International Transfers
Your data may be processed outside your country. We use appropriate safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses) for international transfers.
Changes
We’ll notify you of material changes via email or in-app notice at least 30 days before they take effect.
Contact
Questions? Email privacy@start.chat
For GDPR inquiries: dpo@start.chat