Privacy Policy for TapTapTips

Effective Date: January 12, 2026

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

1. Introduction

TapTapTips ("TapTapTips," "we," "our," or "us") operates the TapTapTips mobile application (the "App") and related services (the "Services"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you use the App.

By using TapTapTips, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Email address (for account creation and authentication)
• Display name (shown to other users for tipping interactions)
• Profile picture (optional; shown to other users if set)
• Password (securely hashed; never stored in plain text)
• Support communications (information you provide when you contact us)

2.2 Payments and Financial Information (Processed by Stripe)

TapTapTips uses Stripe to process payments and facilitate payouts. Depending on how you use the App (sending tips, receiving tips, onboarding for payouts), Stripe may collect and process:

• Payment method information (e.g., card brand and last 4 digits)
• Bank/payout information for receiving tips (e.g., bank name and last 4 digits)
• Transaction details (tip amounts, timestamps, payment status, and dispute/chargeback events)

Important: TapTapTips does not store full credit card numbers or complete bank account numbers on our servers. Stripe handles sensitive payment information.

TapTapTips may store limited payment-related identifiers needed to operate the Services, such as:

• Stripe customer ID, Stripe connected account ID, default payment method ID
• Bank name and last 4 digits (when available)

2.3 Proximity Discovery via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

TapTapTips uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) exclusively for proximity-based user discovery. No Wi-Fi scanning, NFC, or Google Nearby Connections are used.

How BLE discovery works:

• The App broadcasts a short discovery identifier (derived from your user ID) so nearby users running TapTapTips can find you.
• The App scans for other users' BLE identifiers to display them as potential tip recipients.
• Discovery identifiers are temporary and session-scoped — they are not logged or stored beyond the active session.

BLE scanning is never used to determine your location. TapTapTips declares the BLUETOOTH_SCAN permission with neverForLocation="true", meaning Android is explicitly instructed that BLE scan results are not used to derive or infer geographic location. TapTapTips does not collect, store, or transmit GPS coordinates or any location data.

2.4 Device and Technical Information

• Device type/model, OS version, app version
• Log data (e.g., timestamps, diagnostic events, error logs)
• Push notification tokens (to deliver notifications)
• Network and security signals (e.g., IP address and session signals used for fraud prevention and security)

2.5 Usage Information

• Feature usage and interactions (e.g., screens used, actions taken)
• Tipping activity metadata (e.g., number of tips sent/received, timestamps, statuses)
• Crash and performance data (if enabled)

3. Fees and Transaction Costs

3.1 Fee Structure

TapTapTips facilitates tip payments through Stripe. Each transaction is subject to two components of fees, both of which are deducted from the tip amount received by the recipient:

• Stripe Payment Processing Fee: A fee charged by Stripe for processing the payment (e.g., a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed amount per transaction). Stripe's current fee schedule is available at https://stripe.com/pricing.
• TapTapTips Application Fee: A platform fee charged by TapTapTips for facilitating the proximity-based tip transaction through the App. Current fee rates are displayed within the App at the time of each transaction.

Both fees are deducted from the recipient's payout. The sender pays the full tip amount they authorize; the recipient receives the tip amount minus applicable Stripe processing fees and the TapTapTips application fee. Fee amounts and breakdowns are displayed to users in the App prior to and upon completion of each transaction.

3.2 Fee Changes

TapTapTips may update its application fee from time to time. We will provide reasonable notice of material fee changes within the App. Continued use of the Services after a fee change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the new fees.

4. No Refunds on Tips

Like other peer-to-peer payment platforms, TapTapTips treats completed tips as final. Because tips represent a voluntary expression of appreciation sent directly to another person, TapTapTips does not offer refunds once a tip transaction is confirmed. This includes:

• Tips sent to the wrong recipient
• Tips sent in an amount you did not intend
• Tips where you later changed your mind

What to do if you believe there was an unauthorized or fraudulent transaction: Contact us immediately at support@taptaptips.com. We take fraud seriously and will investigate. Note that dispute and chargeback rights related to your payment method (e.g., your bank or card issuer) remain governed by your agreement with that institution and by Stripe's policies.

Because tips are non-refundable, we encourage you to confirm the recipient's display name and tip amount carefully before completing any transaction.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

• Provide the Services (accounts, profiles, discovery, tipping workflows)
• Enable proximity-based interactions (BLE-based nearby discovery)
• Process payments and payouts (through Stripe)
• Calculate and collect fees (Stripe processing fees and TapTapTips application fees)
• Send notifications (e.g., tip received/confirmed, fee summaries; service updates)
• Prevent fraud and secure the platform (detect suspicious activity, enforce rules, protect users)
• Maintain and improve the App (debugging, analytics, performance)
• Comply with legal obligations (recordkeeping, lawful requests, dispute handling)

6. Legal Bases for Processing (Where Applicable)

Depending on your location, we process information under one or more of the following bases:

• Contract/necessity: to provide the Services you request
• Legitimate interests: to secure, operate, and improve TapTapTips (e.g., fraud prevention, analytics)
• Consent: where required for certain permissions or optional features
• Legal obligation: compliance with financial and regulatory requirements

7. How We Share Your Information

7.1 Service Providers

We share information with vendors who help us operate the Services:

• Stripe (Payment Processing & Payouts)
  Purpose: process payments, collect processing fees, manage payouts, and handle disputes/chargebacks
  Data processed: identifiers, transaction details, fee data, and required onboarding/payout information
  Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy
• Google/Firebase (Push Notifications & Analytics)
  Purpose: push notifications (tip alerts), usage analytics, diagnostics
  Data processed: device/app identifiers, FCM push notification tokens, usage and diagnostic signals
  Privacy info: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
• Render (Backend Hosting & Infrastructure)
  Purpose: host the TapTapTips backend server and database
  Data processed: information stored in our systems needed to operate the Services
  Privacy Policy: https://render.com/privacy

7.2 Sharing With Other Users

Because TapTapTips is designed for user-to-user interactions, other users may be able to see:

• Your display name
• Your profile picture (if set)
• Information needed to complete tipping interactions (e.g., that a tip was sent/received, the amount, and date/time as shown in the App)

We do not share your email address, password, or full payment details with other users.

7.3 Legal, Safety, and Compliance

We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to:

• Comply with law, regulation, or legal process
• Respond to lawful requests by public authorities
• Enforce our Terms, investigate fraud, or protect the rights and safety of TapTapTips, users, or others

7.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard protections.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable safeguards designed to protect information, including:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS) for all network communication
• Secure token-based authentication with encrypted local storage of credentials on-device
• Cryptographic transaction signing — each tip is signed on-device using an Ed25519 key stored in the Android Keystore, providing tamper-evident validation of payment requests
• Payment security handled by Stripe (PCI-compliant)
• Fraud controls including account suspension when suspicious activity is detected
• Screen security — the card entry screen is protected against screenshots and screen recording

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to provide the Services and for legitimate business and legal purposes, including:

• Account data: retained until you delete your account (subject to legal exceptions)
• Transaction records (including fee records): retained as required for financial recordkeeping, tax, compliance, and dispute handling (commonly up to 7 years, depending on requirements)
• Deleted accounts: personal data is deleted or de-identified within 30 days of a confirmed deletion request, unless retention is required by law or for legitimate purposes such as fraud prevention or dispute resolution

10. Your Choices and Rights

10.1 Account and Profile Controls

You can update your display name and profile picture within the App at any time.

10.2 Permissions

You can control app permissions through your device settings (e.g., Bluetooth, notifications). If you disable Bluetooth permissions, nearby discovery and tipping will not function. Disabling notifications means you will not receive tip alerts when the App is in the background.

10.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us at support@taptaptips.com. Personal data will be deleted or de-identified within 30 days of a confirmed request. Transaction and fee records may be retained as required by law even after account deletion.

10.4 U.S. State Privacy Rights (e.g., California)

Depending on your state of residence, you may have rights to:

• Request access to categories and specific pieces of personal information we hold
• Request deletion of personal information (subject to exceptions)
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Opt out of certain forms of "sharing" or targeted advertising (if applicable)

TapTapTips does not sell personal information. If we ever offer targeted advertising or similar sharing models, we will update this policy and provide required opt-outs.

To exercise rights, email support@taptaptips.com. We may need to verify your identity.

10.5 International Users (GDPR-style rights where applicable)

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, object to, restrict processing of, or request portability of your data. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

11. Children's Privacy

TapTapTips is not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.

12. International Data Transfers

Our services are hosted and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. By using TapTapTips, you understand that information may be transferred and processed outside your jurisdiction.

13. Third-Party Links and Services

The App may link to third-party websites or services (for example, Stripe's onboarding flow). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. Please review their privacy policies before providing information.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new "Last Updated" date. Material changes may also be communicated within the App. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions or requests related to privacy, fees, or transactions, contact:

© 2026 TapTapTips. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: March 19, 2026