Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 12, 2026
Gather ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.
1. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account Information: Display name and profile picture you set in the app. The other information we receive depends on which sign-in method you use:
- Email + password: the email address you register with and a securely hashed copy of your password (we never see or store your password in plain text — Firebase Authentication handles the hash).
- Sign in with Apple: an Apple-issued user ID, your full name (only the first time you sign in — Apple does not provide it on subsequent sign-ins), and an email address — which may be your real email or a private relay address (
*@privaterelay.appleid.com) if you chose "Hide my email" during the Apple sign-in flow.
- Sign in with Google: a Google-issued user ID, the email associated with your Google account, your name, and the profile picture URL associated with your Google account.
- Guest: no email or password — your account is tied to a device-local credential issued by Firebase Authentication. No identifying information is collected at sign-in.
- Gathering Data: Gathering names, dates, locations, descriptions, and cover photos
- Bring List Items: Items you create or claim, packing status
- Expenses: Expense amounts, categories, and who paid
- Updates: Messages and announcements you post
- Feedback: Messages, suggestions, bug reports, and questions you submit through the in-app feedback form, plus an optional contact email if you want a reply
- Payment Information: Payment service handles (Venmo username, Apple Pay phone, Zelle email) - we do NOT store credit card numbers or process payments
Automatically Collected Information
- Usage Data: How you interact with the app (via Firebase Analytics)
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version
- Crash Reports: Technical data when the app crashes (via Firebase Crashlytics)
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide and maintain the Gather service
- Enable you to create and participate in gatherings
- Facilitate coordination with other gathering participants
- Send you notifications about gathering updates and activity
- Improve app functionality and user experience
- Identify and fix technical issues
- Comply with legal obligations
3. Information Sharing
With Other Users
When you join a gathering, other participants can see:
- Your name and profile picture
- Items you've claimed on the bring list
- Expenses you've logged or are involved in
- Updates you post
- Your RSVP status and ETA (if set)
- Payment handles you've shared (only visible to gathering participants)
With Service Providers
We use third-party services to operate our app:
- Firebase (Google): Authentication, database, file storage, analytics, and crash reporting
- Apple (Sign in with Apple): If you sign in with Apple, Apple processes the sign-in and shares an opaque user ID, name (first sign-in only), and email (real or relay) with us. Apple also receives a record of the sign-in event. See Apple's Sign in with Apple privacy disclosure.
- Google (Sign in with Google): If you sign in with Google, Google processes the sign-in and shares your account ID, email, name, and profile photo URL with us. Google also receives a record of the sign-in event. See Google's Privacy Policy.
- Google Maps Platform (Places API): Address autocomplete suggestions when creating a gathering — typed address text and your IP address are sent to Google. See Google's Privacy Policy.
These services have access to your information only to perform tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for other purposes.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.
4. Analytics and Crash Reporting
We use Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics to understand how you use our app and to improve stability. This includes:
- Device information (model, operating system version)
- App usage data (features used, session duration)
- Engagement events (e.g., signing up, creating or joining a gathering, opening a gathering, sharing an invite link)
- Crash reports and diagnostic information
- General location (city/country level from IP address)
App usage and engagement events are associated with your account ID so we can understand how features are used and debug issues; aggregate metrics are reported anonymously. This data is used solely to improve the app. Firebase Analytics data is retained according to Firebase's privacy policy.
5. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored on Firebase servers (Google Cloud Platform). We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, but no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
6. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Correction: Update or correct your information in the app
- Deletion: Delete your account and associated data (see our Data Deletion page)
- Object: Object to certain data processing activities
7. Children's Privacy
Gather is intended for users 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately.
8. International Users
Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction. By using Gather, you consent to such transfers.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.
10. California Privacy Rights
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and the right to request deletion of personal information.
11. Contact Us