Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains what information the VetCentral mobile application ("VetCentral," "the app," "we," "us") collects, how it is used, and the choices you have. We designed VetCentral to collect as little as possible: your benefit-matching answers stay on your device, and we do not sell data, show ads, or use third-party analytics.
1. Information we collect
a. Account information (stored with our authentication provider)
When you create an account or sign in, we collect:
- Email address and, for email sign-up, a password (stored in hashed form — we never see or store your plain-text password).
- Name, if you provide one at sign-up or through your sign-in provider, stored as the display name on your account.
- If you use Sign in with Google or Sign in with Apple, we receive the identifier, name, and email address those services share with us. With Sign in with Apple you may choose to hide your email address.
Authentication is provided by Google Firebase Authentication. Firebase processes this data on our behalf. See Firebase's privacy documentation.
b. Profile answers (stored only on your device)
To personalize which benefits you see, the app may ask about your phone number, military branch, duty status, retirement status, VA disability rating, years of service, state of residence, home ownership, dependents, education plans, and employment status.
These answers are stored locally on your device only. They are not uploaded to our servers, and we cannot access them. Deleting the app, signing out, or deleting your account removes them from the app.
c. What we do not collect
- No advertising identifiers, no third-party analytics, and no cross-app tracking.
- No precise location data.
- No contacts, photos, microphone, or camera access.
- We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing.
2. How we use information
- To create and secure your account and let you sign in.
- To personalize the benefits shown to you (processing happens on your device).
- To respond to support requests you send us.
- To comply with legal obligations.
3. Sharing of information
We share information only with the service providers needed to run the app:
- Google Firebase Authentication (account credentials and sign-in), acting as our processor.
- Google and Apple, if you choose their sign-in options, under their own privacy policies.
We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of users or the public. If VetCentral is involved in a merger or acquisition, account information may be transferred as part of that transaction; this policy will continue to apply to it.
The app contains links to external websites (for example, VA.gov and state benefit sites). Those sites have their own privacy policies, and this policy does not apply to them.
4. Data retention
- Account data is kept until you delete your account.
- Profile answers live only on your device and are removed when you delete your account, sign out and reset, or uninstall the app.
- Support emails are kept only as long as needed to resolve your request.
5. Deleting your account
You can permanently delete your account at any time in the app: Settings → Danger zone → Delete account. This deletes your authentication record and removes your profile answers from the app. You may also email support@vetcentralapp.com and we will delete your account for you.
6. Security
Account credentials are handled by Firebase Authentication using industry-standard encryption in transit. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we take reasonable measures appropriate to the sensitivity of the data. Please use a strong, unique password and keep your device protected.
7. Children's privacy
VetCentral is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
8. Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example, under the California Consumer Privacy Act or the EU/UK General Data Protection Regulation), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of your personal information, and to object to or restrict certain processing. Because we store almost nothing about you beyond your sign-in email, most requests can be satisfied by the in-app deletion tool — but you can always contact us at support@vetcentralapp.com and we will honor applicable requests. We do not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by the "Last updated" date above, and where appropriate we will provide additional notice in the app. Continued use of the app after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
10. Contact us
Questions about this policy or your data: support@vetcentralapp.com