Privacy Policy

1. Overview

My Valley Connection ("the app," "we," "us," or "our") is developed and operated by NMA Software. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our mobile application on Android or iOS, or visit our website.

By using the app, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the app.

2. Information we collect

We collect only what's necessary to run the app. Here's a breakdown:

Information you provide voluntarily:

• Business or resource listings you submit (name, category, description, address, phone number, website)
• Event submissions (title, description, location, date and time)
• Email address and password, if you register as a moderator volunteer

Information collected automatically:

• Basic usage data such as which screens you visit and how you interact with the app (via Firebase Analytics)
• Device type, operating system version, and app version for crash reporting and compatibility
• IP address, collected automatically by Firebase and Google infrastructure

3. How we use your information

We use the information we collect to:

• Display community listings, events, and resources within the app
• Route submitted listings and events to volunteer moderators for review
• Authenticate moderator accounts and protect the moderation dashboard
• Understand how the app is used so we can improve it
• Diagnose crashes and technical issues
• Serve occasional local advertisement banners within the app

We do not use your information for automated decision-making, profiling, or targeted advertising beyond basic local ad placements.

4. Firebase & Google services

My Valley Connection uses Firebase, a platform provided by Google LLC, to power its backend infrastructure. Firebase services we use include:

• Cloud Firestore — stores listing and event submissions and approved directory data
• Firebase Authentication — manages moderator account login securely
• Firebase Storage — may be used in future versions to store images associated with listings
• Firebase Analytics — collects anonymized usage statistics to help us understand app performance

Data stored in Firebase is subject to Google's Privacy Policy, available at policies.google.com/privacy. Firebase data may be stored on servers located in the United States.

5. Moderation & submitted content

When you submit a listing or event, the information you provide is stored in our database and reviewed by a small team of trusted local volunteer moderators before it is published in the app.

Please do not include sensitive personal information — such as private phone numbers, home addresses, or personal financial details — in submission forms. Submissions are intended to represent businesses, organizations, and public community events.

Moderators have access to all submitted content for the purpose of review. Approved content becomes publicly visible within the app. Rejected content is marked as rejected in our database but is not permanently deleted immediately.

6. Advertising

My Valley Connection may display advertisement banners from local businesses within the app. These advertisements are sold directly to local businesses and organizations and are not served through third-party ad networks at this time.

If we integrate a third-party ad network in a future version of the app, we will update this policy and notify users accordingly.

7. Data retention

We retain submitted listing and event data for as long as it is relevant to the community directory. Rejected submissions are periodically purged from our database. Moderator account data is retained for as long as the account remains active.

You may request deletion of any data you have submitted by contacting us at the address below.

8. Children's privacy

My Valley Connection is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted personal information through the app, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

9. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal data, including:

• The right to access the personal information we hold about you
• The right to request correction of inaccurate data
• The right to request deletion of your data
• The right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address below. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as the app grows and new features are added. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify users through the app.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please reach out: