Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 14, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how GitchatSH ("we", "us") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use Gitchat (the "Services"). We designed Gitchat to collect the minimum data needed to run the product.

1. Information we collect

• Account information — when you sign in with GitHub or Apple, we receive your username, display name, avatar, public profile fields, and (optionally) email address.
• Content you post — messages, reactions, pinned posts, uploads, and memberships in direct messages, group chats, and repo channels.
• GitHub data — with your consent, we cache public GitHub data (starred repos, contributed repos, followers/following, top repos) to power Friends, Channels, and Profile features.
• Usage data — basic telemetry about app events (sign-in, errors) for reliability.
• Device data — OS version, app version, and IDE (for the desktop extension) to improve compatibility.

We do not collect your GitHub password. Authentication tokens are stored in the iOS Keychain (or the platform-equivalent secret store) on your device.

2. How we use information

• To operate, maintain, and improve the Services;
• To let other users find and message you by GitHub handle;
• To display activity (stars, contributions, follows) inside Gitchat;
• To send transactional notifications (new messages, mentions);
• To detect and prevent abuse, spam, or security incidents.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your messages to train machine-learning models.

3. Sharing

We share information only in these limited cases:

• With other Gitchat users — messages, reactions, pins, and profile fields are visible to intended recipients and, for public channels, to channel members.
• Service providers — hosting, monitoring, and email delivery partners bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal compliance — when required to comply with applicable law, legal process, or to protect the rights and safety of Gitchat users.

4. Data retention

We keep your account data for as long as your account is active. You can delete your account at any time — doing so removes your profile, messages, and personal data from our production systems within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

5. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards — TLS in transit, encrypted storage at rest, and principle-of-least-privilege access controls — to protect your information. No system is perfectly secure; we encourage you to use strong account protection with your identity provider (GitHub, Apple).

6. International transfers

Gitchat is operated from multiple regions. By using the Services, you consent to your data being processed in the countries where our servers and providers are located.

7. Children

Gitchat is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us and we will delete it.

8. Your rights

Depending on your jurisdiction you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your personal data. Email privacy@gitchat.sh and we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

9. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be announced in-app or on this page. Continued use of the Services after changes constitutes acceptance.

10. Contact

Privacy questions and requests: privacy@gitchat.sh.