Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 13, 2026

Your trust is the foundation of Sonara. We are committed to protecting your personal data and being transparent about how we handle it. This policy details our practices regarding the information we collect and how we ensure your privacy while you explore our digital ecosystem.

1. Information Acquisition

1.1 Real-World Coordination

Because Sonara is a location-based experience, we require access to your device's positioning data to:

  • Animate your presence on our interactive map
  • Surface AI characters based on your proximity
  • Synchronize exploration rewards and companions
  • Verify your presence at specific physical exploration points

We request location access to provide map-based discovery and proximity features. Location data is accessed only when the app is in use and you are actively using location-dependent features. You can modify these permissions at any time within your system settings.

We do not require background location access to use Sonara. If you deny location permission, core location-based features (such as map discovery and proximity-based encounters) may be unavailable.

We do not sell your precise location. We do not share your precise location with third parties for advertising purposes.

1.2 Personalization & Profiles

To craft your unique identity within the app, we process:

  • Your chosen display name
  • User-selected avatars (typically stored locally on your device)
  • Account preferences and discovery milestones

1.3 Conversational Data

During your interactions with digital entities, we manage:

  • Dialogue logs and message history (primary storage remains local)
  • Summary of shared experiences and chat dates
  • Relationship levels and affinity rankings

1.4 Technical Metadata

For system optimization, we may collect:

  • Device model and OS telemetry
  • App performance logs and crash reports
  • Basic hardware status (mic/camera access when required)

2. Utilization of Data

The information we handle is strictly used for:

  • Service Reliability: Maintaining and improving the core Sonara engine and exploration mechanics.
  • Personalized Growth: Ensuring your affinity levels and journey history are accurately reflected.
  • Proximity Features: Delivering character companions that match your real-world positioning.
  • Response & Support: Addressing your technical needs and service inquiries.

Location data (when permitted) is used to calculate proximity and to present relevant content on the map. Where possible, these computations are performed on-device.

3. Preservation & Security

A significant portion of your interaction data—including chat history and chat logs—is localized to your hardware. This puts you in control of your digital footprint.

While we employ robust industry-standard safeguards to protect data that passes through our systems, please remember that no digital transmission is entirely immune to risk. We encourage regular device backups and secure account practices.

4. Integrated Services

Sonara leverages specialized external partners to enhance your experience:

  • AI Intelligence: Powerful language models process interactions to generate natural responses.
  • Mapping Infrastructure: We utilize Apple's MapKit for precise and reliable navigation visuals.

These integrations are governed by their respective privacy frameworks. We recommend reviewing their policies for a complete understanding of their data handling.

When you use map features, Apple MapKit may process certain data to render maps and related functionality. Sonara does not control Apple's processing. Please review Apple's privacy policy for details.

5. User Sovereignty

You maintain full control over your data through several avenues:

  • Location Control: Toggle positioning access via device settings at any time.
  • Input Permissions: Manage Mic and Camera access based on your comfort level.
  • Data Removal: Uninstalling the app clears local records. You may also contact us for formal deletion requests.

You can enable or disable precise location in iOS Settings. If you enable location access later, Sonara will begin using it to support location-based features.

6. Age Requirements

Sonara is designed for a mature audience (18+). We do not intentionally target or collect data from minors. If we discover information belonging to an underage user has been collected, we will take immediate steps to purge it from our systems.

7. Policy Evolution

As Sonara grows, this policy may be updated. Significant changes will be announced through the app interface or our support channels. Continued use of the platform indicates your agreement with the updated terms.

8. Connect With Us

For any privacy-related inquiries or data requests, please reach out to our dedicated support team:

Email: support@sonarachats.com