Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 2026

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following information when you use Buff™:

  • Email address and display name (at registration)
  • Movie and TV preferences (genres, moods, streaming platforms)
  • Voting data within group sessions
  • Usage data and browsing patterns (via analytics)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide personalized movie and show recommendations
  • Facilitate group voting sessions
  • Improve our recommendation algorithms
  • Analyze usage patterns to enhance the service

3. Analytics

We use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand traffic and usage patterns. GA4 collects anonymized browsing data such as page views, session duration, and general geographic information. This data helps us improve the service experience.

4. Third-Party Services

Buff integrates with the following third-party services:

  • TMDB — movie and TV show data
  • Google Analytics — anonymized usage analytics
  • Render — application hosting and infrastructure

5. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored on secure servers hosted by Render. Passwords are hashed using bcrypt and are never stored in plain text. Database connections are encrypted via SSL in production.

6. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. Anonymized, aggregated data may be used for research or to improve the service. We may share data if required by law or to protect the safety of our users.

7. Cookies & Local Storage

We use localStorage to store authentication tokens for your session. Google Analytics may set cookies for analytics purposes. We do not use cookies for advertising or tracking across other websites.

8. Data Retention

Account data is retained while your account is active. Deleted accounts are soft-deleted and may be permanently removed after a retention period. Session and voting data may be retained in anonymized form for service improvement.

9. Your Rights

You may request account deletion by contacting us. Upon deletion, your personal data will be removed in accordance with our retention policy.

10. Children's Privacy

Buff is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We encourage you to review this page periodically for the latest information.

12. Contact

For privacy concerns, contact us at hello@moviebuff.ai.