Privacy Policy for SmarTok

Effective Date: May 12, 2026

Latest Update: May 16, 2026 – Integrated Root-Level Deep Linking behaviors, Real-Time WebSocket Synchronization parameters, and Advanced Blocked User Privacy Controls.

Welcome to SmarTok. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and website (the "Service"). We are committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring a secure, transparent educational environment.

1. Information We Collect

• Account Information: Full Name, Email Address, and Password (securely hashed). Optionally, Phone Number and Username.
• Vanity URL, Deep Links & Public Identity: When you create a username, it becomes part of your public profile link (e.g., smartok.app/@ID_Username). Our platform utilizes root-level navigation parameters to securely process public deep links from external apps (such as WhatsApp) to directly route traffic to your specific profile or shared educational videos (/video/:videoId).
• Third-Party Authentication (Google Sign-In): We receive your profile information (name, email, and picture) from Google to authenticate your account. We never access your Google password.
• User Content (UGC): Educational videos, cover images, SmartBlog articles, and shared links.
• Camera and Photo Library Access: Strictly to enable video uploads and profile picture updates. Access is only granted when you perform these actions manually.
• Usage Data & Identity Validation: We track interactions (Watch History, Likes, Comments, and Comment Replies) to manage your educational progress. We also use local identifiers to verify if a user is the owner of a profile when accessed via deep links to enable editing tools.
• Device & Technical Data: We collect standard technical information such as your IP address, device model, operating system, app version, and active real-time identifier tokens to ensure structural compatibility, power continuous data stream exchanges, and troubleshoot system errors.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Platform Experience: To provide and improve SmarTok’s core educational functionalities.
• AI Content Moderation: All uploaded content is scanned by our AI to ensure it meets our safety and educational guidelines before public viewing.
• Security & Authentication: Using Email One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and sensitive account changes. We use Secure Local Storage (SecureStore) and secure JSON Web Tokens (JWT) to authenticate your device across HTTP fetch protocols and real-time endpoints.
• Real-Time Synchronization: We utilize persistent WebSockets (Socket.io) to instantly transmit non-duplicated social interactions, real-time comment expansion, security alerts, and growth notifications seamlessly while the app is active.
• Personalization: To power the "For You" feed and educational recommendations.

3. Sharing of Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We share data only with essential service providers:

• Cloud Infrastructure & Content Delivery: We use Amazon Web Services (AWS) and CloudFront (CDN) to securely store, host, and rapidly deliver your profile data, educational videos with accurate aspect-ratio metadata, and images globally.
• Database Management: Secure hosting for your account information and educational interactions.
• Communication Services: Third-party email providers (such as Gmail SMTP) for sending security codes (OTPs) and account notifications.
• Push Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) and Expo for learning reminders and growth alerts.

4. Content Visibility & Privacy Settings

You have full control through your "Privacy & Growth" settings:

• Private Account: Restrict your video library visibility to approved followers only.
• User Blocking Controls: You have the absolute right to block or unblock any profile on the platform via your Privacy settings. When a user is blocked, our system dynamically updates your localized backend graph to immediately restrict communications, halt push updates between accounts, and conceal data interactions.
• Activity Status: Control the visibility of your online status.
• Identity Protection: Our system automatically detects if you are the owner of a profile to provide management tools, even when entering through a shared public link. Authorized administrators may access data solely for moderation and technical support.

5. Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain your data as long as your account is active. You have the right to permanently delete your account at any time via the "Danger Zone" in Settings. This will permanently remove your content from our servers and AWS storage.

6. Children's Privacy

SmarTok is not intended for children under 13. We actively moderate our community to ensure a safe educational space for all users above this age.

7. Contact Us

For any questions regarding your data or this policy:

• Email: hello@smartok.app
• Developer: SmarTok Team