Welcome to Name Means! We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we handle information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding data collection, use, and protection when you use our mobile application.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
When you use Name Means, you may provide the following information:
- Search Queries: Names that you search for within the app to discover their meanings, origins, and related information.
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
We do not directly collect personal information. However, third-party services integrated into our app may collect certain data:
- Device Information: Device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers
- Usage Data: App interactions, features used, search frequency
- Advertising Data: Information collected by Google AdMob for personalized advertising (see Section 4)
2. How We Use Information
The information collected is used for the following purposes:
- Service Delivery: To fetch and display name meanings, etymology, gender, usage, and related names from our data sources
- App Improvement: To understand how users interact with the app and improve functionality
- Advertising: To display relevant advertisements through Google AdMob
- Performance Monitoring: To ensure the app runs smoothly and fix technical issues
3. Data Sources
Name Means retrieves name information from external sources:
- Behind the Name (behindthename.com): We fetch name meanings, origins, and related data from this publicly available resource. When you search for a name, our app makes a request to this website to retrieve the information.
4. Third-Party Services
4.1 Google AdMob
We use Google AdMob to display advertisements in our app. AdMob may collect and use data to provide personalized ads. This includes:
- Device identifiers (Advertising ID)
- IP address
- Device and app usage information
- Location data (if permitted)
For more information about how Google uses data, please review:
4.2 Managing Ad Preferences
You can control personalized advertising by:
- Android: Go to Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
- iOS: Go to Settings → Privacy → Advertising → Limit Ad Tracking
5. Data Storage and Security
We take data security seriously:
- No Server Storage: We do not store your search queries or personal information on our servers
- Local Processing: All searches are processed locally on your device and sent directly to our data sources
- Secure Connections: We use HTTPS connections to ensure data transmitted between your device and external sources is encrypted
- Third-Party Security: Data collected by third-party services (like AdMob) is governed by their respective security policies
6. Children's Privacy
Name Means is designed for general audiences and does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information, please contact us immediately.
7. European Union (EU) Users - GDPR Rights
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have specific rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
7.1 Your GDPR Rights
- Right to Access: You can request information about what personal data we process
- Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate data
- Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to Restrict Processing: You can request limitation of how we process your data
- Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a structured format
- Right to Object: You can object to processing of your data for certain purposes
- Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent for data processing at any time
7.2 Legal Basis for Processing
We process data under the following legal bases:
- Legitimate Interest: To provide and improve our services
- Consent: For personalized advertising (which you can opt out of)
- Contract Performance: To deliver the app functionality you requested
7.3 Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the EEA. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:
- Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
- Adequacy decisions for certain countries
- Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
7.4 Data Retention
Since we do not store your search data, there is no retention period. Third-party services like Google AdMob retain data according to their own policies, typically for a limited period necessary for advertising purposes.
7.5 Supervisory Authority
You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated.
8. California Residents - CCPA Rights
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):
8.1 Your CCPA Rights
- Right to Know: You can request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
- Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Opt-Out: You can opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of your personal information
- Right to Correct: You can request correction of inaccurate personal information
- Right to Limit Use: You can limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights
8.2 Categories of Information Collected
We and our third-party partners may collect the following categories of information:
- Identifiers: Device identifiers, advertising IDs, IP addresses
- Internet Activity: App usage, search queries, interaction with advertisements
- Geolocation Data: Approximate location (if permitted for advertising)
- Inferences: Preferences and characteristics derived from your activity
8.3 Sale or Sharing of Personal Information
We do not directly sell your personal information. However, our use of Google AdMob for personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" under CCPA. You can opt out of personalized ads as described in Section 4.2.
8.4 Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
To opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information for advertising purposes:
- Disable personalized ads in your device settings (see Section 4.2)
- Use the "Limit Ad Tracking" or "Opt out of Ads Personalization" feature on your device
8.5 Retention Period
We do not retain your search queries. Third-party advertising partners retain data according to their policies, typically for 12-24 months.
8.6 Exercising Your Rights
California residents can exercise their rights by contacting us through the methods listed in Section 11. We will respond to verified requests within 45 days.
8.7 Authorized Agent
You may designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf. The agent must provide proof of authorization.
9. International Users
Name Means is available globally. If you use our app from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries where our service providers operate. By using the app, you consent to such transfers.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Providing an in-app notification (for significant changes)
- Posting the updated policy on our website or app
Your continued use of Name Means after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Your Consent
By using Name Means, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our app.