Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 23, 2026

Welcome to FC FANS. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our mobile application and related services.

FC FANS is a football app that lets you browse live match data, follow favorite teams, chat with friends during matches, submit score predictions, share predicted lineups, react to live events, and receive match notifications.

By using FC FANS, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we may collect:

• Email address
• Username
• First and last name (if provided during sign-up)
• Profile photo (if uploaded or provided by a sign-in provider)
• Date of birth (if provided)
• Gender (if provided)
• Authentication provider identifier (e.g., Apple or Google sign-in)

This information is used to create and manage your account.

1.2 User Content and Social Activity

When you use social and match-day features, we may collect and store:

• Chat messages in match conversations
• Score predictions submitted before kickoff
• Predicted lineups (starting XI selections you build and share)
• Live reactions sent during matches
• Friend connections and friend request activity
• Conversation membership (which match chats you join or create)
• Favorite teams you select to personalize your experience
• Match alert subscriptions (which fixtures you choose to follow for push updates)

This content is stored so we can provide the social features you use and display them to you and other participants in the relevant conversations.

1.3 Football and Match Data

FC FANS displays football information such as fixtures, live scores, standings, statistics, lineups, head-to-head data, and team or league details. This data is retrieved from third-party sports data providers through our backend services.

Browsing match data does not require an account. When you are signed in, we may associate your app usage (such as opened matches or searches) with your account for analytics and feature delivery as described below. We do not send your personal profile information to sports data providers for routine match browsing.

1.4 Device and Technical Information

To operate the app, deliver notifications, and maintain security, we may collect:

• Device identifiers
• Application version
• Operating system information
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) push notification tokens
• Crash and performance diagnostic data (via Firebase Crashlytics)

1.5 Usage Analytics

We use Firebase Analytics to understand how the app is used and to improve performance and user experience. This may include events such as:

• Match lists viewed (by date)
• Matches, teams, or leagues opened
• Searches performed (type and result count)
• Tabs or sections viewed within team or league screens

Analytics data is generally aggregated and does not include the content of your private messages. You can limit ad-related tracking through your device settings where applicable.

1.6 Push Notifications

FC FANS may send notifications regarding:

• Friend requests
• Chat invitations (when you are added to a conversation)
• Messages in conversations you participate in
• Match alerts for fixtures you subscribe to (e.g., goals, halftime, full-time)
• Application updates or important service notices

You can disable notifications at any time through your device settings. Match alert subscriptions can also be turned off within the app for specific fixtures.

1.7 Information from Third-Party Sign-In Providers

If you sign in with Apple, Google, or another provider, we receive basic profile information as permitted by that provider (such as name, email address, and profile photo). We use this information only to create and manage your FC FANS account.

1.8 Friend Discovery

To help you find friends on FC FANS, we may store searchable username tokens derived from your username. Other users can find you by searching for your username; your email address is not used for public search.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Create and manage user accounts
• Provide match data, live scores, and football content
• Enable chat, predictions, lineups, reactions, and other social features
• Personalize your experience (e.g., favorite teams, active chat lists)
• Deliver push notifications and match alerts you request
• Operate backend services (including Firebase Cloud Functions) securely
• Monitor app performance, fix crashes, and analyze usage trends
• Maintain security and prevent abuse
• Provide customer support

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

3. Data Sharing

We do not sell user information. Information may be shared only:

• With other users, when you choose to use social features (e.g., messages, predictions, lineups, and reactions visible in a conversation; username visible to friends)
• With service providers necessary to operate the app, including:
  • Google Firebase (authentication, database, storage, messaging, analytics, crash reporting, cloud functions)
  • Third-party sports data providers (for football match information only)
  • Apple and Google (when you use their sign-in services)
• When required by law or valid legal process
• To protect rights, safety, and security of users and the application

4. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the app. Specifically:

• Account and profile data: Retained until you delete your account.
• Chat messages, predictions, lineups, and reactions: Retained in the relevant conversation until deleted by you, removed by us for moderation or safety, or when your account is deleted.
• Favorite teams and alert subscriptions: Retained until you change or remove them, or when your account is deleted.
• Profile photos: Retained until removed by you or when your account is deleted.
• Analytics and crash data: Retained according to Firebase/Google retention settings.

5. Data Storage and Security

User data is stored using services provided by:

• Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Cloud Storage, Cloud Messaging, Analytics, Crashlytics, Cloud Functions)

These services may store data on secure servers operated by Google. Football data is fetched through our backend and cached as needed to improve performance.

We use reasonable measures to protect user information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse, including encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and Firebase security rules.

5.1 Account Deletion

Users may request deletion of their account and associated personal information.

To request account deletion, contact:

Upon verification, personal account information and associated user content will be removed within a reasonable period unless retention is required by law.

6. Children's Privacy

The app is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

7. Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect your data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored on servers located outside your country, including in the United States and European Union, where Firebase/Google Cloud and our cloud functions operate. By using the app, you consent to such transfers.

9. Your Choices

• Account: You can update profile information in the app.
• Notifications: You can disable push notifications in device settings.
• Match alerts: You can subscribe or unsubscribe per fixture in the app.
• Social content: You control what you post in conversations; some content may remain visible to other participants until deleted.
• Sign out: You can sign out at any time from the profile section.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect new features or legal requirements. Changes become effective when the updated policy is published at this URL. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact: