A note from us
Privacy is personal — and never more so than when you're navigating pregnancy, new motherhood, or trying to grow your family. The information you share inside Kinship is some of the most intimate information a person can share, and we take that responsibility seriously.
This Privacy Policy explains, in plain terms, what we collect, why, who sees it, and the choices you have. We've tried to write it the way a friend would — clearly and without games. If anything is confusing, write us at privacy@findkinship.com and we'll explain.
A few things up front:
- You are always in control of what you share inside the app. You decide what goes in your profile and what you say in your groups.
- We only collect information that's necessary to make the app work for you — for example, your due date or your child's age, so we can match you with the right groups.
- We do not sell your personal information. We never have, and we don't plan to.
- If we show you sponsored content — like product recommendations relevant to your stage — we ourselves pick what you see based on your profile. Your information never leaves Kinship, and partners never see your data. See Section 3.2.
- You have rights over your data, and we'll honor them. See Section 8.
— The Kinship Team
Who This Policy Applies To
This Privacy Policy describes how Kinship App, Inc. (“Kinship,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a Delaware corporation, collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you use our mobile application for iOS and Android, our website at findkinship.com, and any related services (collectively, the “Service”). It applies to all users of the Service.
This policy is incorporated into our Terms of Service. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings given in the Terms of Service.
Information We Collect
We aim to collect only what we need to operate the Service. You decide what to share, and we ask for as little as possible.
We collect information in three ways: (a) information you give us, (b) information collected automatically when you use the Service, and (c) information we receive from third parties.
2.1 Information You Provide
Account information. Your email address, password (stored in hashed form), and any name or display name you choose.
Profile and matching information. Information you provide so we can match you with compatible groups, including:
- Life stage (e.g., trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, parenting)
- Expected due date or your child's date of birth
- General location (typically city or ZIP-code-level, not precise GPS)
- Interests, parenting style, languages spoken, and similar preferences
- Optional details such as whether this is your first child, twins/multiples, etc.
Communications. Messages you send to other Users in chat groups, photos and other media you upload, and any feedback or correspondence you send to us.
Payment information. If you purchase a subscription, payment is processed by Apple or Google through the App Store or Google Play. Kinship does not receive your full payment-card number. We receive only the transaction details necessary to confirm and manage your subscription (such as a transaction ID and renewal status).
Optional information. Any other information you choose to share — for example, a profile photo, a bio, or details you mention in chat.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
Device and technical data. Device type, operating system and version, mobile carrier, time zone, language settings, and a unique device identifier or advertising identifier (if permitted by your device settings).
Usage data. Pages and screens you view, features you use, actions you take in the app, the date and time of your activity, crash logs, and performance data.
Approximate location. We may infer your approximate location (e.g., city or region) from your IP address. We do not collect precise GPS location unless you grant explicit permission for a feature that requires it.
Cookies and similar technologies. On our website, we use cookies and similar technologies for essential site functions and analytics. See Section 7 for details.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
Service providers. We receive information from analytics, crash-reporting, and infrastructure providers who help us run the Service.
App stores. Apple and Google share limited information with us about your subscription status (e.g., active, expired, refunded).
If you sign in via a third-party login (such as Apple ID or Google), we receive basic profile information (such as your email and name) consistent with the permissions you grant during sign-in.
How We Use Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate the Service — create and manage your account, authenticate logins, and deliver core app functionality.
- Match you with groups — our algorithms use your profile information to suggest compatible chat groups. This is the core purpose of the Service.
- Enable communication — deliver messages between you and other Users.
- Personalize your experience — show you relevant content, prompts, and groups.
- Communicate with you — send transactional messages, respond to support inquiries, and — if you opt in — send product updates or community newsletters.
- Improve the Service — analyze usage trends, debug issues, test new features, and develop new ones.
- Protect Users and the Service — detect and prevent fraud, abuse, harassment, and violations of our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.
- Show you relevant offers from partners we work with directly — from time to time, we may feature sponsored content, curated product recommendations, or special offers from brands we partner with. All such content is selected by Kinship and shown within the Service.
- Comply with law — meet legal obligations, respond to lawful requests, and enforce our agreements.
We do not use the content of your private group messages to select offers, and we do not share your personal information with advertisers, ad networks, or data brokers.
3.1 Algorithmic Matching
We use automated systems to match Users into groups. These algorithms consider the profile and preference inputs you provide. If you have questions about how matching works, contact us at privacy@findkinship.com.
3.2 Sponsored Content and Curated Offers
To support the Service, Kinship may feature sponsored content, curated product recommendations, and special offers from brands we partner with directly:
- We select what you see. Partners do not access your personal information. They tell us the audience they'd like to reach, and Kinship decides who sees the content.
- Your information stays with us. We do not share your name, email, profile, messages, or any other identifying information with partners.
- Based only on profile information. The contents of your chats are never used to select sponsored content.
- Aggregate reporting only. We may share aggregated, de-identified metrics with partners, but never information that identifies you.
- Affiliate links. Some product recommendations may include affiliate links. We disclose this clearly wherever it applies.
How We Share Information
We share information only as described below.
4.1 With Other Users
- Inside your matched groups, other group members can see your display name, profile photo (if any), and the bio details you chose to include — plus any messages or content you share in the group.
- Your email address, precise location, and account-only data are never shown to other Users.
4.2 With Service Providers
We share information with vendors who help us operate the Service, including cloud hosting, analytics, customer support tooling, email delivery, and content moderation. These providers are contractually limited to using your information only to provide services to us.
4.3 With Apple and Google
For subscriptions, billing, and platform-required reporting.
4.4 For Legal Reasons
We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that it is necessary to comply with applicable law, enforce our Terms, protect safety, or detect and prevent fraud.
4.5 In a Business Transfer
If Kinship is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a materially different privacy policy.
4.6 With Your Consent
We may share information for any other purpose with your consent.
4.7 We Do Not Sell or “Share” Your Personal Information
Kinship does not sell your personal information, and we do not “share” your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising as defined under the CCPA/CPRA and similar state laws.
4.8 Who Can See Your Messages
The messages you send inside your matched group are visible to the other members of that group only. No employee of Kinship will review message content except when there is a specific need to investigate suspected misuse.
Sensitive Information and State Privacy Laws
The protections described throughout this policy apply equally to all of your information.
Some U.S. state privacy laws — including California's CPRA, Washington's My Health My Data Act, Nevada's SB 370, and Connecticut's expanded health-data provisions — recognize categories of information such as those relating to pregnancy, fertility, mental health, or children as “sensitive personal information” or “consumer health data.”
If you reside in such a state, you may have the right to direct us to use sensitive personal information only for purposes necessary to provide the Service. To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@findkinship.com.
Children's Privacy
Kinship is intended for adults (18 and older). The Service is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13.
We recognize that Users frequently discuss and share photos of their own children on Kinship. Information about a child that you choose to share is treated as your personal information for purposes of this policy. Please share thoughtfully.
If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information directly to us, please contact us at privacy@findkinship.com and we will promptly delete it.
Cookies and Tracking
On our website (findkinship.com), we use cookies and similar technologies for essential functions and for analytics. You can control cookies through your browser settings. We honor recognized opt-out signals such as Global Privacy Control (GPC) where applicable.
Inside the mobile app, we use device-level identifiers and SDKs from analytics and crash-reporting providers. You can limit device-level ad tracking through your device settings.
We do not use third-party advertising networks inside the app, and we do not allow third-party advertising trackers to collect your information through the Service.
Your Rights and Choices
Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the following rights:
- Access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correct — ask us to fix inaccurate information.
- Delete — ask us to delete your information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Portability — receive a copy of your information in a portable format.
- Opt out of sale or “sharing” — though, as noted, we do not sell or share your personal information.
- Limit use of sensitive personal information — you may direct us to use sensitive personal information only for purposes necessary to provide the Service.
- Withdraw consent — where we rely on your consent.
- Appeal — if we deny your request, you may appeal that decision.
- Non-discrimination — we will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
To exercise these rights, email privacy@findkinship.com from the address associated with your account. We will verify your request and respond within the time frame required by applicable law (generally 45 days).
Data Retention
We keep your information for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward to comply with legal obligations.
If you delete your account, we will delete or de-identify your personal information within 90 days, except that messages you sent to others may remain visible to those Users, and we may retain limited records for legal or security reasons.
Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information — including encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest, access controls, security monitoring, and regular review of our practices. No system is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International Users
Kinship is operated from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the U.S. By using the Service, you consent to that transfer.
Third-Party Links and Services
The Service may contain links to third-party websites, apps, or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email, in-app notice, or other reasonable means before the changes take effect.
Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy, or want to exercise a privacy right?
Kinship App, Inc.
Email: privacy@findkinship.com
Thank you for trusting us with your story. We don't take that lightly.