Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Flatchat (“we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, and protects personal information when you use flatchat.co.nz (the “Site”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

By using the Site you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy and consent to our collection and use of your information as described below.

1. Information we collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Account information. When you create an account we collect your email address and the display name you choose. Your email is used for authentication and is never displayed publicly.
• Review content. When you submit a property review we collect the text, ratings, and any other content you provide. Reviews are published publicly on the Site under your chosen display name.
• Technical and usage data. We automatically collect basic technical information when you visit the Site, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL, and pages viewed. This information cannot be used to identify you personally and is used to understand how the Site is used and to improve it.

2. How we use your information

• To create and manage your account and authenticate your access to the Site.
• To publish your reviews and display your chosen display name alongside them.
• To respond to questions or support requests you send to us.
• To monitor, maintain, and improve the Site.
• To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or illegal activity.
• To comply with applicable legal obligations.

We will not use your personal information for purposes other than those described in this policy without first notifying you and obtaining your consent.

3. Third-party services

We use trusted third-party services to operate the Site. These providers process your information only as necessary to deliver their services to us and are not permitted to use it for other purposes.

• Supabase. We use Supabase for authentication and database storage. Your email address and account data are stored securely in Supabase’s infrastructure.
• Vercel. The Site is hosted on Vercel. Vercel may collect standard server access logs as part of hosting the Site.
• Google Maps and Street View. Property pages may display maps or street view images powered by Google. Your use of these features is subject to Google’s own privacy policy.

4. Public information

Reviews you submit, including your display name and the ratings and text you provide, are published publicly on the Site and may be indexed by search engines. Please do not include personal information about yourself or others in the content of your reviews.

5. Sharing your information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• With third-party service providers as described in section 3 above.
• If we are required to do so by law, court order, or a request from a regulatory authority.
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of Flatchat, our users, or the public.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business, in which case we will notify you before your information is transferred and subject to a different privacy policy.

6. Data retention

We retain your account information and reviews for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. If you request deletion of your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal information within a reasonable time, except where we are required to retain it by law.

7. Security

We implement reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure. While we do our best to protect your information, you acknowledge that you provide it at your own risk and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and for any activity that occurs under your account.

8. Your rights

Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 you have the right to:

• Ask whether we hold personal information about you and request access to it.
• Request that we correct any personal information we hold about you that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.
• Make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at www.privacy.org.nz if you believe we have breached the Act.

To exercise any of these rights, please get in touch using the contact details available on the Site.

9. Children’s privacy

Flatchat is intended for users who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we become aware that a person under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it as soon as reasonably practicable.

10. External links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and recommend you review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please get in touch using the contact details available on the Site.