Privacy Policy
Validate is a dating app operated by Validate LLC ("Validate", "we", "us"). This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the choices and rights you have. By creating an account you agree to the practices described here.
We do not sell your personal data, and we do not use it for cross-app advertising or tracking. Validate contains no advertising networks or third-party ad trackers.
1. Who we are
The data controller responsible for your information is Validate LLC. For any privacy question or request, contact us at caedengambit@thevalidateapp.com.
2. Data we collect
We collect the following categories of personal data, all of which are linked to your account:
| Category | What it includes | Why we collect it |
|---|---|---|
| Account & contact info | Name, email address and/or phone number, password (stored only in hashed form), date of birth (to confirm you are 18+) | Create and secure your account; verify age |
| Profile information | Gender, photos and videos, bio, prompt answers, height, interests, relationship and gender preferences, and optional lifestyle details | Build your dating profile and show it to potential matches |
| Sensitive information | Sexual orientation, gender identity, and optionally religion, ethnicity, and political views — only if you choose to add them | Power matching and let you express who you are; shown to others only as you direct |
| Precise location | Your device's GPS coordinates (or a city you set via Travel Mode) | Show nearby members and apply your distance preferences. Your exact location is never shown to other members — only approximate distance. |
| Messages & media | The content of messages you send, including text, photos, videos, and voice recordings | Deliver in-app messaging between matches |
| Identity verification | Government ID images and a selfie/liveness check, processed by our verification provider | Confirm members are real people and improve safety (optional verification badge) |
| Purchases | Subscription tier and status, and purchase history | Provide and manage premium features. Payment card details are handled by Apple/Google and never reach us. |
| Identifiers | Account ID, a per-installation device identifier, and push-notification tokens | Operate the service, secure your session, and send notifications |
| Usage data | Your in-app activity such as likes, skips, and matches | Run the matching and discovery features |
3. How we use your data
- To create, operate, and personalize your matching and discovery experience.
- To enable messaging and other communication between members.
- To keep the community safe — detecting fraud, abuse, and policy violations, and handling reports and enforcement.
- To process subscriptions and purchases.
- To send service and notification messages you have enabled.
- To comply with legal obligations.
Where required by law, our legal bases are: performance of our contract with you, your consent (for optional sensitive details and precise location), our legitimate interest in safety and service improvement, and compliance with legal obligations.
4. How information is shared
With other members
Your profile — including your name, photos, bio, and any details you choose to make visible — is shown to other members as part of the dating service. Approximate distance may be shown; your exact location is not. Messages are visible to the member you send them to.
With service providers
We use trusted third parties to operate Validate. They process data only on our instructions:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Supabase | Database, authentication, and media storage |
| Firebase Cloud Messaging (Google) | Push notifications |
| Didit | Identity / age verification |
| Twilio | Delivery of one-time SMS login codes (processes your phone number) |
| RevenueCat | Subscription management |
| Apple & Google | App distribution and in-app payment processing |
| Google Places | Venue search and photos for date suggestions |
| xAI, OpenAI, or Anthropic | Generating date-idea text from shared interests and nearby venues (no names or contact details are sent) |
We may also disclose information where required by law, to enforce our terms, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our members and the public.
5. SMS / text messaging
Validate uses SMS text messaging for account security only. When you enter your mobile phone number during sign-up or password reset and tap "Continue", you consent to receive a one-time verification passcode by SMS to confirm ownership of the number. This is a transactional two-factor-authentication program only — we do not send marketing or promotional text messages, and messages are only sent when you yourself request a code.
- Message frequency is limited to codes you request (typically one message per sign-in or reset).
- Message and data rates may apply.
- Reply
STOPto opt out of text messages at any time, orHELPfor help. You can also email caedengambit@thevalidateapp.com for assistance.
No mobile information — including your phone number and SMS opt-in or consent data — will be shared with, or sold to, any third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are not shared with any third parties. Your phone number is provided only to our SMS delivery provider (Twilio) for the sole purpose of delivering the verification codes you request.
6. Data retention
We keep your personal data while your account is active. Matches expire after a period of inactivity, and one-time verification codes expire within minutes. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your personal data, except where we must retain certain records to meet legal, safety, or fraud-prevention obligations.
7. Your rights and choices
- Access & portability — request a copy of the data we hold about you.
- Correction — update your profile in-app at any time.
- Deletion — delete your account, which removes your profile and associated personal data.
- Withdraw consent — remove optional sensitive details or revoke location access in your device settings.
- Object or restrict — where applicable under your local law (e.g. GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA).
To exercise any right, email caedengambit@thevalidateapp.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
8. Children
Validate is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18, and we enforce an age gate at signup. If we learn that a minor has created an account, we will remove it.
9. Security
We protect your data using encryption in transit, hashed passwords, access controls, and signed, time-limited URLs for media. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to safeguard your information and to notify you and regulators of breaches where required.
10. International transfers
Your data may be processed in countries other than where you live, including the United States. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) for these transfers.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will revise the "Last updated" date above and, for material changes, notify you in the app. Continued use of Validate after an update means you accept the revised policy.
12. Contact us
Questions, requests, or complaints? Reach us at caedengambit@thevalidateapp.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.