Privacy Policy

This notice describes the privacy policy (“Privacy Policy” or “Policy”) of MelloHello mobile application, as available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store (hereinafter referred to as the “App”) which is owned and operated by:

• Company Name: Mellohello Limited
• Company Number: 9330830
• Registered Office: Suite 14980, 17B Farnham Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

At Mellohello Limited, we care about your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through the MelloHello App, how we use it, who we may share it with, and what choices you have regarding your data.

Whether you're here to meet like-minded people, join communities, attend events, or promote your business, this Policy applies to all users - including personal users and business users - who access or use any feature of the MelloHello App. We want to be transparent about how your information is handled and give you control over your data.

We encourage you to read this Policy carefully before using the App. If you don’t agree with how we collect or use your information, you should not use the App.

This Privacy Policy forms part of our broader terms and conditions, including the Terms of Use and Business Terms of Service. By using the MelloHello App, you agree to the practices described in this Policy. If you have any questions, you can always reach us at info@mellohello.co.nz.

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

When you use the MelloHello App, we collect different types of information to help you connect with others, manage your account, and improve your experience on the platform. The information we collect may include the following:

• Personal Information: When you sign up for an account, we collect information such as your name, email address, profile photo, date of birth (to confirm age eligibility), and any other details you voluntarily provide in your profile.
• Business Information: If you choose to use the business features, we may also collect your business name, description, contact details, website or social links, and any promotional content you upload, such as logos, images, or service descriptions.
• User-Generated Content: We collect content that you post, share, or create within the App - including messages, community posts, event details, business listings, and any media you upload.
• Usage Data: We collect information about how you interact with the App, such as the features you use, the communities you join, the messages you send, and the time and frequency of your activity.
• Device and Technical Data: We may collect technical information about the device and connection you use to access the App, including your device type, operating system, IP address, browser type, language settings, and mobile identifiers.
• Location Data: With your permission, we may collect location information to help you find nearby communities, events, or businesses. You can control this through your device settings at any time.
• Communication Preferences: We collect information about your preferences when it comes to notifications and communications, including whether you’ve opted in to receive promotional messages or updates from us.
• App Permissions: To support certain features, the App may request permission to access your device’s camera (for profile or post images), gallery (to upload images), location (to help find nearby events or communities), and notifications (to alert you about messages or activity). These permissions are optional and can be managed in your device settings at any time. We only request access when necessary and do not use your device features without your consent.

2. OUR LAWFUL BASIS FOR WHICH WE USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

You hereby acknowledge that all processing of your personal information will be justified by a "lawful ground" for processing. In most cases, processing will be justified on the basis that:

• Consent: In some situations, we rely on your consent to collect and use your personal information - for example, when you allow us to access your location, upload optional profile information, or agree to receive marketing messages. You can withdraw your consent at any time through your settings or by contacting us.
• Contractual Necessity: We use your information to provide you with services as part of our contract with you - such as creating your account, helping you connect with others, processing your subscription, or enabling business features. Without this information, we wouldn’t be able to offer you the full functionality of the App.
• Legitimate Interests: We may process your information when it is necessary for our legitimate interests as a business, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights. For example, we use your information to keep the App secure, improve features, understand how people use the App, and communicate important updates.
• Legal Obligation: In certain cases, we may be required by law to collect or share your personal information - such as for tax purposes, to comply with a lawful request by a court or government authority, or to respond to a privacy complaint.
• Protection of Vital Interests: In rare cases, we may use or share your information if we believe it’s necessary to protect someone’s safety or prevent serious harm.

We always aim to balance our needs with your privacy rights and will only use your information in a way that is fair, respectful, and consistent with this Privacy Policy.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use the information we collect to operate, improve, and personalise your experience on the MelloHello App. This includes:

• To create and manage your account: We use your information to register you as a user, set up your profile, manage your login, and provide access to features such as messaging, community participation, and business tools.
• To connect you with others: We use your profile information, interests, and location (if enabled) to help you find and connect with people, events, and communities that are relevant to you.
• To support business features: If you’re a business user, we use your business details to display your business page, promote your services within the App, and enable communication with potential customers.
• To provide customer support: We may use your contact details and activity information to respond to your questions, help with technical issues, or investigate reports of inappropriate behavior or content.
• To personalise your experience: We may use your interactions and preferences to show you more relevant content, communities, and recommendations within the App.
• To improve the App: We use usage data and feedback to understand how users engage with the App and to make updates, fix bugs, and improve functionality and user experience.
• To send service-related communications: We may contact you to confirm changes to your account, notify you about security issues, or share updates about features you use. These messages are essential and not promotional in nature.
• To send marketing messages: We may send you news, offers, or updates about new features, events, or business tools available through the App. You can opt out at any time.
• To ensure safety and legal compliance: We may use your information to detect, prevent, or respond to misuse of the App, fraud, violations of our Terms, or potential legal risks.

4. INFORMATION RETENTION AND DELETION

• Retention of Active Accounts: If your account is active, we retain your information so that you can continue to use the App without interruption. This includes your profile, messages, posts, business listings, and usage data.
• Retention After Account Closure: If you choose to delete your account, we will remove your profile and personal information from public view. However, some data may still be retained securely for a limited period if required by law or for legitimate business purposes, such as resolving disputes, preventing fraud, maintaining security, or keeping financial records.
• Business Content and Listings: If you are a business user and delete your business page or close your account, your business content will be removed from public visibility. However, certain information (such as service history, promotions, or communications with users) may be retained where necessary for platform integrity, audit purposes, or to comply with legal requirements.
• Soft Deletion and Internal Restrictions: In some cases, deleted data may still exist in our systems temporarily as part of internal backups or soft-deletion processes but is no longer actively accessible through the App.
• Your Right to Request Deletion: You can request deletion of your account or specific data at any time by contacting info@mellohello.co.nz. We will process your request in line with our legal obligations and confirm once it is complete.

5. INFORMATION SHARING

We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal or business information to anyone. However, in order to provide and improve the MelloHello App, there are certain circumstances where we may share your information with others:

• With Other Users of the App: Your name, profile photo, and any content you choose to share (such as posts, messages, business listings, or event details) may be visible to other users depending on your activity and privacy settings. Business pages and promotional content will be publicly available to help you reach your audience.
• With Our Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us deliver, maintain, and improve the App - such as cloud hosting providers, analytics tools, customer support platforms, and payment processors. These providers only receive the information necessary to perform their services and are contractually required to protect your data.
• With Legal or Government Authorities: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if we believe it is necessary to prevent harm, fraud, illegal activity, or to protect the safety of our users and the integrity of our platform.
• In a Business Transfer: If Mellohello Limited is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you (where possible) before any such change affects your data.
• With Your Consent: In any situation not covered above, we will only share your information with your explicit consent.

5. STORAGE AND SECURITY OF INFORMATION

We take your privacy seriously and are committed to protecting your information. All personal and business data collected through the MelloHello App is stored on secure servers managed by trusted third-party providers who follow industry-standard security practices.

• Data Storage Location: Your information may be stored in New Zealand or in secure servers located in other countries, depending on the infrastructure used by our service providers. Regardless of location, we ensure that your data is handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy and with appropriate safeguards in place.
• Security Measures: We use a range of technical and organisational measures to protect your information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. These include data encryption, access controls, secure hosting environments, and regular monitoring of our systems.
• Limiting Access: Only authorised staff and service providers who need access to your information to perform their duties are permitted to view or handle it. All such parties are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.
• Your Responsibility: While we take strong precautions, no platform is completely secure. You are responsible for keeping your account login details confidential and for logging out when using shared devices. If you suspect unauthorised access to your account, you should notify us immediately.
• Security Incidents: In the unlikely event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights or freedoms, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by law.

While we implement stringent security measures, it's important to remember that no method of data transmission over the internet or electronic storage can be completely foolproof. We continuously work to improve our security practices and remain dedicated to protecting your information.

7. LINKS TO OTHER SITES

• The MelloHello App may contain links to third-party websites, services, or platforms that are not owned or controlled by us. These links are provided for your convenience, such as for accessing external booking tools, social media pages, or business websites. However, we are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of those external sites. Once you leave the MelloHello App, any information you provide to a third party is governed by their own privacy policy, not ours. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any external sites before sharing your personal information with them.

8. Your Rights under Privacy Act 2020

As a user of the MelloHello App, you have specific rights under the Privacy Act 2020 of New Zealand. These rights are designed to give you more control over how your personal information is collected, used, stored, and shared. We fully support these rights and are committed to helping you exercise them.

• Right to Access Your Information: You have the right to ask us what personal information we hold about you and to request a copy of it. You can also ask us to explain how we are using that information. We will respond to your request within 20 working days, as required by law.
• Right to Request Corrections: If any of the personal information we hold about you is wrong, out of date, or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it. If we don’t agree with your request, we will make a note on your file that you asked for a correction.
• Right to Be Informed: You have the right to know what information we’re collecting, why we’re collecting it, how we plan to use it, and who we may share it with. We explain this in this Privacy Policy and in key areas of the App where information is collected.
• Right to Security: You have the right to expect that we will keep your personal information secure and protected from misuse, unauthorised access, or loss. We have safeguards in place to meet this obligation.
• Right to Complain: If you believe we have breached your privacy or not met our responsibilities under the Privacy Act, you can contact us directly at info@mellohello.co.nz. If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at www.privacy.org.nz.
• Right to Be Notified of Serious Breaches: If a serious data breach occurs that is likely to cause you harm, we will notify you as soon as possible, along with the Privacy Commissioner, in accordance with our legal obligations.

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please email us at info@mellohello.co.nz with your request, and we will guide you through the process.