Effective Date: April 13, 2026

Last Updated: April 13, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Yoko. Yoko is a live video calling and social discovery application designed to help adults connect with new people across the globe through real-time 1-on-1 video calls, random global video matching, and text-based chat. We are committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of every user on our platform.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and protect it, with whom we may share it, and what rights you have regarding your personal data. By accessing or using Yoko, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Yoko is intended exclusively for users who are 18 years of age or older. If you do not meet this age requirement, you must not use our application.

2. Scope and Applicability

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Yoko mobile application available on the Google Play Store, any associated websites, APIs, and services operated by Yoko. It covers personal data collected through:

Direct interactions when you register an account, set up your profile, or contact support.
Automated data collection through your use of the application and its features.
Information received from third parties, such as analytics providers, identity verification services, and social login providers.

This Policy does not apply to third-party websites, services, or applications that may be linked from within Yoko.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Account and Profile Information

Name or display name, username, and profile photograph or avatar.
Date of birth (used strictly for age verification; users must be 18+).
Email address and/or mobile phone number for account registration and authentication.
Gender identity and optional personal biography.
Language preferences and regional settings.

3.2 Device and Technical Information

Device identifiers including device model, operating system version, and unique hardware IDs.
Mobile advertising identifiers (e.g., Google Advertising ID / GAID).
IP address, network type (Wi-Fi / mobile data), and carrier information.
App version, crash logs, performance metrics, and diagnostic data.
Browser type and screen resolution where applicable.

3.3 Usage and Behavioral Data

Features accessed, time spent in the app, and frequency of use.
Interaction logs including video call history (duration, connection status), match requests, and chat session metadata.
In-app navigation patterns and tap/click events used for product analytics.
User preferences, settings adjustments, and feature opt-ins/opt-outs.

3.4 Location Data

Approximate geographic location derived from your IP address to enable global matching features.
Precise GPS location, only if you explicitly grant location permissions, used to show nearby users and improve match relevance.
You may revoke location permissions at any time through your device settings.

3.5 Communications and User-Generated Content

Text messages exchanged between users through Yoko's in-app chat feature.
Video and audio data transmitted during live calls (real-time only; not stored unless flagged for safety review).
Images, videos, or other media you upload to your profile or share within the app.
Reports, complaints, or feedback submitted through our moderation and support tools.

3.6 Payment and Transaction Information

Payment processing is handled by third-party providers (e.g., Google Play Billing). Yoko does not directly collect or store full credit card numbers or banking details.
We may retain transaction records including purchase amounts, dates, and item descriptions for billing and fraud prevention.

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 Service Delivery and Core Functionality

Creating and managing your Yoko account and authenticating your identity.
Enabling live 1-on-1 video calls between users.
Facilitating random global video matching.
Operating the in-app text chat system.

4.2 Personalization and Recommendations

Analyzing your usage patterns to surface user recommendations you are likely to connect with.
Tailoring content you see based on your stated preferences.
Adjusting matching algorithms based on your feedback signals.

4.3 Safety, Moderation, and Fraud Prevention

Reviewing user-generated content and behavioral patterns to detect violations.
Investigating and responding to user reports of harassment, abuse, impersonation, or illegal activity.
Using automated systems and human reviewers to identify and remove prohibited content.
Verifying user age and identity to comply with our 18+ policy.

4.4 Analytics and Product Improvement

Measuring app performance, diagnosing technical issues, and resolving bugs.
Conducting internal research to develop new features and enhance existing ones.
Monitoring key product metrics such as retention, engagement, and user satisfaction.

4.5 Communications and Notifications

Sending account-related notifications such as registration confirmations, password resets, and security alerts.
Delivering push notifications about new matches, messages, or platform updates.
Communicating service changes, policy updates, or important legal notices.

4.6 Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Complying with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, and lawful requests from public authorities.
Enforcing our Terms of Service, resolving disputes, and protecting the rights of Yoko and its users.

5. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

For users in the EEA, UK, or other jurisdictions with equivalent data protection laws, we process your personal data on the following legal bases:

Contractual Necessity: Processing required to perform our contract with you and deliver the Services.
Legitimate Interests: Processing for fraud prevention, security, and product improvement.
Consent: Where required by law, we obtain explicit consent before processing certain data. You may withdraw consent at any time.
Legal Obligation: Processing necessary for compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Vital Interests: In rare circumstances, processing to protect the vital interests of a user or another individual.

6. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Yoko does not sell your personal information to third parties.

6.1 With Other Users

Your profile information (display name, photo, bio, general location) is visible to other users in accordance with your privacy settings.
During live video calls, your video and audio streams are transmitted to the other participant in real time.
Text messages are delivered to the recipient user.

6.2 With Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party vendors including cloud hosting providers, CDNs, real-time communication infrastructure, analytics services, and customer support tools.
All service providers are contractually required to process data only as instructed by Yoko and to implement appropriate security safeguards.

6.3 For Safety and Legal Reasons

We may disclose information to law enforcement when required by applicable law, regulation, or legal process.
We may share data when necessary to prevent imminent harm, protect safety, or address fraud.
In cases involving suspected child exploitation, we are legally obligated to report to NCMEC and appropriate law enforcement.

6.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale, your personal data may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of such events.

6.5 Aggregated and De-Identified Data

We may share aggregated, anonymized data that cannot reasonably identify you with partners or for public reporting.

7. Third-Party Services and SDKs

Yoko integrates certain third-party SDKs and services. Key integrations may include:

Analytics: Firebase Analytics (Google) for usage tracking and crash reporting.
Real-Time Communication: WebRTC-based infrastructure for low-latency video and audio calls.
Payments: Google Play Billing for in-app purchases.
Cloud Infrastructure: Cloud storage and server providers for data hosting.
Moderation: AI-based content moderation tools to detect policy violations.

8. Video Calls and Real-Time Communications

Video and audio streams are transmitted directly between participants using encrypted peer-to-peer or relay connections. Yoko does not record or store call content under normal conditions.
If a call is reported for safety violations, a limited recording mechanism may be triggered solely for moderation review. Such recordings are retained only for the investigation duration.
Call metadata (duration, timestamp, participant identifiers, connection status) is logged for quality assurance and fraud prevention.
We employ end-to-end encryption and secure transport protocols (DTLS-SRTP) to protect your communications.

9. User-Generated Content (UGC) Policy

9.1 Content You Post

By submitting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, and process that content as necessary to operate the Services.
You retain ownership of any original content you create and upload.
You are solely responsible for the content you share.

9.2 Content Moderation

Yoko employs automated systems and human moderation to review reported content and detect prohibited material.
Content violating our Community Guidelines may be removed without prior notice.
We use hash-matching technologies (e.g., PhotoDNA) to detect known CSAM and report it to NCMEC.

9.3 Content Retention and Deletion

Profile content is retained as long as your account is active. Upon deletion, content is permanently deleted within 30 days.
Chat messages are stored on our servers. Users may delete individual messages or full chat histories at any time.
Content flagged for safety purposes may be retained in restricted storage for up to 12 months.

9.4 Copyright and Intellectual Property

You represent that you own or have the necessary rights to post any content you upload.
If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please contact us at service@yoko.blog.

10. Data Retention

Account data: Retained for the duration of your active account. Upon deletion, purged within 30 days.
Chat messages: Retained until deleted by the user or upon account deletion.
Transaction records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years for financial and tax compliance.
Safety and moderation records: May be retained for up to 24 months following resolution.
Technical and analytics data: Aggregated or de-identified data may be retained indefinitely.

11. Data Storage and International Transfers

Your personal data may be stored and processed in servers located outside your country of residence.
Where data is transferred from the EEA or UK to countries without adequate protection, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).
We apply consistent security and privacy standards to all data regardless of storage location.
Our servers are hosted with reputable cloud providers maintaining industry-standard certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II).

12. Data Security

Encryption in Transit: All data transmitted between the app and our servers is protected using TLS 1.2 or higher. Video and audio streams use DTLS-SRTP.
Encryption at Rest: Sensitive personal data is encrypted using AES-256 or equivalent standards.
Access Controls: Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis. All access is logged and audited.
Vulnerability Management: We conduct regular security assessments, penetration testing, and code audits.
Incident Response: We maintain a documented data breach response plan. In the event of a security incident, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities as required by law.

While we take extensive precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We encourage you to use a strong, unique password and to report suspected security issues to service@yoko.blog.

13. Your Privacy Rights

13.1 Right of Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

13.2 Right to Rectification

You may request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

13.3 Right to Erasure ("Right to Be Forgotten")

You may request that we delete your personal data when it is no longer necessary for the purposes collected.
We may retain certain data where required by law or for legitimate safety purposes.

13.4 Right to Restrict Processing

In certain circumstances, you may request that we restrict the processing of your personal data.

13.5 Right to Data Portability

Where processing is based on consent or a contract, you have the right to receive your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

13.6 Right to Object

You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests, including profiling for direct marketing.

13.7 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting prior processing.

13.8 How to Exercise Your Rights

You may manage many preferences directly within the Yoko app under Settings > Privacy.
For formal requests, please contact us at service@yoko.blog. We will respond within 30 days.

14. California Privacy Rights (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, the CCPA/CPRA grants you specific rights:

Right to Know: Request disclosure of personal information categories and specific pieces collected over the past 12 months.
Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
Right to Opt-Out of Sale / Sharing: Yoko does not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising without consent.
Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

To submit a request, please email service@yoko.blog with the subject line "California Privacy Request."

15. Children's Privacy and Age Verification

Yoko is strictly intended for users 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18.

15.1 Age Gate

During registration, users must provide their date of birth. Accounts for individuals under 18 will not be permitted.
We reserve the right to implement additional age verification mechanisms.

15.2 Discovery of Underage Users

If we become aware that a user under 18 has created an account, we will immediately suspend the account and delete all associated data.
Parents or guardians should contact us immediately at service@yoko.blog.

15.3 COPPA Compliance

Yoko is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 as defined under COPPA.

15.4 Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE)

Yoko maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward CSAM and any form of child sexual exploitation.
We use automated hash-matching technology (including PhotoDNA) and AI-based detection systems.
Any content involving child exploitation will result in immediate account termination, data preservation for law enforcement, and mandatory reporting to NCMEC CyberTipline.
Users who encounter suspected child exploitation should immediately use the in-app reporting tool or contact service@yoko.blog.

16. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Essential Technologies: Required for the app to function correctly, including authentication tokens and session management.
Analytics Technologies: Used to understand how users interact with our features. Examples include Firebase Analytics.
Advertising Identifiers: We may use mobile advertising identifiers to measure marketing effectiveness. You can opt out through your device settings.

You may opt out of certain tracking through your device privacy settings or by contacting service@yoko.blog.

17. Push Notifications

Transactional Notifications: Match confirmations, message alerts, and security alerts.
Promotional Notifications: New features, events, or offers. You may opt out at any time through device settings or Settings > Notifications.

You may disable all push notifications through your device's operating system settings without affecting core features.

18. Account Deletion and Data Erasure

You have the right to delete your Yoko account at any time:

Navigate to Settings > Account > Delete Account within the app.
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm. You may be asked to verify your identity.
Your profile will be immediately removed from public view. Personal data will be permanently deleted within 30 days.
Certain data may be retained where required by law, to resolve disputes, or for legitimate safety purposes.
Anonymized or aggregated data may be retained for analytical purposes.

19. Advertising and Analytics Partners

We do not share your name, email, or other directly identifying information with advertising partners without explicit consent.
Advertising partners may use device identifiers and behavioral data for targeted ads. You may opt out via device advertising settings.
Analytics partners receive aggregated or pseudonymized data, bound by data processing agreements.

20. Links to Third-Party Services

Yoko may contain links to external websites or third-party services. We do not control or take responsibility for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit.

21. Do Not Track Signals

At this time, Yoko does not respond to DNT signals due to the lack of a universally accepted standard. You may opt out of certain tracking as described in Section 16.

22. Sensitive Personal Information

Biometric data: We do not currently use biometric recognition for authentication.
Health or medical data: We do not intentionally collect health information.
Racial, ethnic, religious, or political data: We do not require or intentionally collect this information.
Sexual orientation or gender identity: Users may optionally disclose gender identity for matching. Such data is handled with strict confidentiality.

23. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. When we make material changes, we will:

Update the "Effective Date" and "Last Updated" date at the top of this document.
Notify users via in-app notification or push notification prior to changes taking effect.
For significant changes affecting your rights, we may request renewed consent where required by law.

Your continued use of Yoko after the effective date constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use and delete your account.

24. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Privacy Policy shall be governed by applicable data protection laws and regulations, including GDPR for EEA users, the UK Data Protection Act 2018 for UK users, and the CCPA/CPRA for California residents.

Disputes that cannot be resolved informally will be subject to binding arbitration or litigation in accordance with applicable laws.
EEA and UK users have the right to lodge a complaint with their local supervisory authority.

25. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Email: service@yoko.blog
Application: Use the in-app "Help & Support" or "Contact Us" feature under Settings.

We aim to respond to all requests within 30 calendar days of receipt.