Privacy Policy

What Socket is

Socket helps creators find collaborators by skill and location, showcase portfolios, post needs, and message each other (including media URLs). You create a profile, connect with others, and collaborate across crafts and cities.

Information we collect

• Account: email address, name, and password (stored hashed). New accounts also provide a birthdate so we can apply the age gate.
• Teen accounts: for ages 13–17, the parent or guardian email, the consent token (stored hashed), whether consent was granted or revoked, and the safety settings the guardian chooses.
• Profile: skills/tags, location, bio, portfolio links and items, service rates/offers, and optional avatar URL.
• Content: posts, comments, reactions, connection/collab requests, and direct messages (including image/media and link URLs you share).
• Device & usage basics: approximate technical data needed to operate the service (e.g. browser/app type, IP-related security signals, and basic usage events).
• Usage and analytics: which pages and features you use, so Socket can operate the product and understand it at a high level.
• Purchases: records of Plug packs and other purchases processed by Stripe, such as the amount and the status. Socket does not store your full card number.
• Cookies / session: session and authentication cookies so you can stay signed in securely.
• We use Meta Pixel for ad measurement.

Teens and parental consent

We do not knowingly create accounts for children under 13. If a birthdate is under 13, signup stops and we do not keep an account. For ages 13–17 we store the birthdate, email the guardian a one-time consent link, and keep the teen account limited until that guardian confirms they are the parent or guardian and agrees to the Terms. We use that record to enforce teen safety settings, to let the guardian revoke consent, and to flag reports that involve a teen account. We do not send the birthdate to a paid identity-verification vendor.

How we use information

• Provide and operate Socket (profiles, discovery, posts, DMs, collabs).
• Secure accounts, prevent abuse, and enforce our Terms and Guidelines.
• Improve the product and understand how features are used at a high level.
• Communicate about your account, security, or service changes.
• Record Plug balances, earnings, and payment records as described in the Terms of Service (Plugs, earnings & payments).

Sharing

Socket never sells your personal information. We share data with service processors only as needed to run Socket, including hosting (e.g. Vercel), database providers (e.g. Neon), payments (Stripe), and authentication infrastructure. Profile content and posts you choose to publish are visible to other users according to how the product works. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect Socket, our users, or the public.

Retention

We keep account and content data while your account is active and as needed to provide the service, resolve disputes, and meet legal obligations. You may request deletion (see below); some residual copies may remain in backups for a limited period.

Deactivating or deleting your account

You can deactivate or delete your account from Settings, then Account. Deactivating hides your profile, posts, Joltz, comments, and listings from other people right away. You can come back anytime by logging in and choosing to reactivate.

Deleting starts a 90-day grace period. During those 90 days your account stays hidden, and you can log in to cancel the deletion and reopen. After 90 days we permanently delete or anonymize personal data: your name becomes "Deleted user," and we clear your email, phone, bio, photos, links, location, sessions, two-step login, message content, and files you uploaded. We keep anonymized payment and accounting records where the law requires it, without your name, email, or phone. Your handle becomes available for someone else. We email you when you request deletion and again about 7 days before the deletion is final.

The public steps, including a request by email, are on the delete account page.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal data. You can update much of your profile in-app. To request access or deletion of your account data, contact us at help@getsocket.app.

Children's privacy

Socket is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above will change when we do. Continued use of Socket after changes means you accept the updated policy.

Contact

Socket LLC · help@getsocket.app
Socket, it's where connections happen.