Privacy, Terms & Community Guidelines

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how BuzzedUp LLC ("BuzzedUp," "we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you use the BuzzedUp mobile app, the Owner Portal at buzzedupadmin.netlify.app, or the marketing site at buzzedupapp.com (together, the "Services").

1. Who this applies to

• Students / app users: Sections 2–9 and 11–14 apply.
• Bar owners & portal staff: All sections apply, plus Section 10 (Owner Portal accounts).
• Visitors of buzzedupapp.com: Section 8 (cookies & analytics) applies.

2. Information we collect from students (app users)

Automatically collected

• Precise location. Used in real time to verify you are within roughly 400 feet of a listed bar so you can check in ("Buzz In") and post a vibe. Location is processed at the moment of your action and is not stored on our servers after that action completes.
• Anonymous device identifier. A random ID generated by Firebase on first launch, used for spam prevention, rate limiting, and check-in cooldowns.
• Device & app data. Device model, OS version, app version, language, crash logs.
• Usage data. Which bars you view, when you buzz in/out, votes you cast, deals you rate. Tied only to the anonymous ID.
• Push notification token (if you opt in). Used to send you deal alerts, crowd-threshold alerts, and the nightly 7 PM deal blast. You can revoke this any time in your device settings.

You provide

• Vibe tags (Packed, Busy, Chill, Dead, Good Night, Deals).
• Chat messages (280 character max).
• Upvotes / downvotes on posts.
• Deal ratings (1–5 stars).
• Poll votes.

All student content is anonymous. We do not collect your name, email address, phone number, profile picture, birthday, or any government ID.

3. Information we collect from Owner Portal accounts

Bar owners, managers, and staff who use the Owner Portal must create an account. For portal accounts we collect:

• Email address (used as login and for account notifications)
• Display name
• Password (stored as a Firebase-managed hash — we never see the plaintext)
• Which venue(s) you're authorized to manage
• Portal usage logs (which pages you visit, which changes you save)

4. How we use information

• Operate core features (bar list, live crowds, deals, check-ins, chat).
• Verify you are physically at a listed bar before allowing certain actions.
• Enforce cooldowns and rate limits to prevent spam and abuse.
• Send push notifications you've opted into.
• Aggregate anonymous check-in and vibe data into analytics shown to bar owners in the Owner Portal.
• Improve the product, fix bugs, and monitor abuse.
• Comply with law and enforce our Terms.

5. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• What we send to the AI provider: Aggregated numeric summaries and the venue name. No individual student data, no anonymous device IDs, no chat message contents, no location coordinates.
• Provider: Anthropic PBC. Anthropic's handling of API data is governed by its commercial terms and privacy policy. Under Anthropic's API terms, inputs and outputs are not used to train their models.
• Nature of AI output: AI recommendations are informational suggestions. They are not guarantees, financial advice, or a substitute for the bar owner's own business judgment.
• No automated decisions with legal effect: The AI does not make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects on any user.

6. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share limited information only in the following ways:

We may also disclose information (a) to comply with law, subpoena, or court order; (b) to protect the rights, property, or safety of BuzzedUp, our users, or the public; or (c) in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case you will be notified.

7. Data retention

• Check-ins: auto-delete after 2 hours.
• Vibes: auto-delete after 2 hours.
• Chat messages: auto-delete after 24 hours.
• Anonymous device IDs: retained for spam prevention and cooldown enforcement; may be retained indefinitely in log form.
• Aggregated analytics: retained indefinitely for owner insights.
• Owner Portal accounts: retained while active. If you delete your portal account, we delete your email, name, and password within 30 days.

8. Cookies & analytics on buzzedupapp.com

The marketing site uses minimal cookies. We do not currently run third-party ad tracking. Netlify may set functional cookies required to serve the site.

9. Security

• All traffic is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS).
• Firebase security rules restrict database reads and writes.
• The Owner Portal AI endpoint requires a shared secret header and validates request origin.
• Portal passwords are hashed by Firebase Auth (we never see the plaintext).

No system is 100% secure. If we learn of a data breach that affects you, we will notify you consistent with applicable law.

10. Owner Portal accounts — additional terms

Owner Portal users additionally acknowledge:

• You may only access venues you are authorized to manage.
• You will keep your password confidential and are responsible for activity on your account.
• Analytics shown to you are aggregated from anonymous check-ins and vibes. You will not attempt to re-identify individual users.
• You may not use AI-generated recommendations as a substitute for compliance with alcohol law, health & safety law, or your obligations to your patrons and staff.

11. Your rights & choices

• Location. Disable in device settings. Most app features won't work without it.
• Push notifications. Disable in device settings or app settings.
• Delete your content. Buzz out to remove active vibe/check-in. Delete your own chat messages in-app.
• Delete your portal account. Email us — we'll delete it within 30 days.
• Access / correction. Email us to request a copy of what we hold about your portal account.

12. California residents (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion, and to opt out of "sale" or "sharing." We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. To exercise any right, email buzzedupapp@gmail.com.

13. European users (GDPR)

If you're in the EEA or UK, our legal bases are (a) legitimate interest for spam prevention and core operation, (b) consent for push notifications and precise location, and (c) contract for Owner Portal accounts. You have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection. Contact us at buzzedupapp@gmail.com.

14. Children

BuzzedUp is intended for users 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If we learn that a user is under 18, we will delete their data promptly. Parents/guardians who believe their child has used the app should contact us.

15. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. If changes are material, we will post the updated policy and update the "Last updated" date. Continued use after the update means you accept the revised policy.

App Store Privacy Nutrition Label

This table mirrors the privacy information we've submitted to Apple for the BuzzedUp app.

Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the BuzzedUp app, the Owner Portal, and buzzedupapp.com (together, the "Services"), operated by BuzzedUp LLC. By using the Services, you agree to these Terms.

1. Eligibility & age

• You must be at least 18 years old to use BuzzedUp.
• You represent that you can form a binding contract in your jurisdiction.
• BuzzedUp displays information about bars and venues that serve alcohol. We do not sell alcohol, do not verify the legal drinking age of any user, and do not encourage anyone to drink.

2. The Service

BuzzedUp shows real-time information about college bars: live crowd levels, deals, events, and vibe reports contributed by users who are physically at those bars. Information is user-generated, subjective, and may be inaccurate, outdated, or wrong. Do not rely on BuzzedUp to make decisions about safety, capacity, or legality.

3. Your account (Owner Portal only)

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login.
• You are responsible for all activity under your account.
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access.
• We may suspend or terminate your account for violation of these Terms.

4. User conduct & content

By posting anything to BuzzedUp (vibes, chats, ratings, votes, deal listings, etc.) you grant BuzzedUp a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable license to host, display, reproduce, adapt, and distribute your content in connection with the Services. You represent that you have the right to post it.

See the Acceptable Use Policy for what you may not post.

5. Alcohol, safety & personal responsibility

6. UGC liability & Section 230

BuzzedUp is an interactive computer service as defined by 47 U.S.C. § 230. Content posted by users represents the views and reports of those users, not BuzzedUp. BuzzedUp does not endorse, verify, or take responsibility for user-generated content. We reserve the right — but are not obligated — to review, moderate, or remove content in our sole discretion.

7. Third-party services & venues

BuzzedUp lists third-party venues. We are not affiliated with, do not endorse, and are not responsible for those venues, their staff, their deals, their events, or anything that happens on their premises. Any dispute you have with a venue is between you and the venue.

8. Intellectual property

The BuzzedUp name, logo, portal, and marketing site are owned by BuzzedUp LLC. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works from any part of the Services without our written permission.

9. AI content disclaimer

AI-generated recommendations in the Owner Portal are informational only, may be inaccurate, and are not financial, legal, medical, or professional advice. You are responsible for evaluating and acting on any AI output. BuzzedUp is not liable for decisions made based on AI output.

10. Fees

The BuzzedUp app is currently free. The Owner Portal is currently free during pilot. If we introduce paid features, we will describe pricing before you're charged.

11. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice. You may stop using the Services at any time. Sections that by their nature should survive termination will survive (including Sections 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, and the arbitration clause).

12. Disclaimers

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR ACCURATE. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT USER-GENERATED CONTENT IS TRUTHFUL, ACCURATE, OR SAFE.

13. Limitation of liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BUZZEDUP LLC AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM (A) YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES; (B) ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICES, INCLUDING OTHER USERS AND VENUES; OR (C) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR CONTENT.

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM RELATED TO THE SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (i) $100 OR (ii) THE AMOUNTS YOU HAVE PAID TO BUZZEDUP IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BuzzedUp LLC, its affiliates, and personnel from any claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from (a) your use of the Services, (b) your violation of these Terms, (c) your violation of any law or third-party right, or (d) any content you post.

Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

1. Informal resolution

Before filing anything, you agree to first email buzzedupapp@gmail.com with a description of the dispute. We'll try to resolve it informally within 30 days.

2. Binding individual arbitration

If we can't resolve it informally, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services will be resolved by binding individual arbitration, and not in court, except that you may bring a claim in small-claims court if it qualifies.

• Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules.
• Arbitration will occur in Franklin County, Ohio, or by telephone/video at your election.
• The arbitrator's decision is final and binding.

3. Class action waiver

YOU AND BUZZEDUP AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any representative or class proceeding.

4. Opt out

You may opt out of this arbitration provision by emailing buzzedupapp@gmail.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms, with the subject line "Arbitration Opt-Out."

5. Governing law & venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute not subject to arbitration will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Franklin County, Ohio, and you consent to that jurisdiction.

Once BuzzedUp LLC converts to a Delaware C-Corporation, Delaware law will govern going forward and the exclusive venue will shift to the state or federal courts located in New Castle County, Delaware.

Acceptable Use Policy

You may not use BuzzedUp to do any of the following, and you may not post content that:

• Is illegal, threatens violence, incites hate, or promotes terrorism.
• Harasses, bullies, dox'es, stalks, or targets any individual or group.
• Contains sexual content, nudity, or content that sexualizes minors.
• Depicts, arranges, or promotes drug dealing, weapons trafficking, or other illegal activity.
• Impersonates another person or entity or misrepresents affiliation.
• Contains malware, phishing links, or spam.
• Falsely reports a crime, emergency, or bar condition (fake "packed"/"dead" reports for competitors, etc.).
• Encourages underage drinking, dangerous drinking games, or drink-driving.
• Violates any person's intellectual property or privacy rights.

Report & block

We are building in-app report and block controls. Until they ship, please report violations by emailing buzzedupapp@gmail.com with a screenshot and a description. We aim to review reports within 48 hours and remove violating content promptly. Repeat violators will be banned.

Enforcement

We may remove content, suspend, or ban any user at our discretion, with or without notice. We may cooperate with law enforcement when required by law or when we believe there is a serious risk of harm.

DMCA / Copyright Policy

BuzzedUp respects intellectual property rights. If you believe content on the Services infringes your copyright, send a written notice to our designated agent that includes:

1. Your physical or electronic signature.
2. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed.
3. Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing (URL, timestamp, screenshot).
4. Your contact information (address, phone, email).
5. A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
6. A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

DMCA Agent: BuzzedUp LLC, Columbus, OH · buzzedupapp@gmail.com

We may remove content that is the subject of a valid DMCA notice and, if a user's content is repeatedly the subject of valid notices, may terminate that user's account.

Owner Portal Terms (Bar Partners)

These additional terms apply if you access the Owner Portal on behalf of a venue.

• Authority. You represent that you are authorized to act for the venue you manage.
• Truthfulness. Deals, hours, and events you publish must be accurate. Do not post misleading pricing or terms.
• Alcohol law compliance. You are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable alcohol beverage, health & safety, and advertising laws in your jurisdiction. BuzzedUp is not liable for content you publish.
• AI recommendations. AI insights are informational only. You are responsible for any business decision you make based on them.
• Analytics use. You will not attempt to re-identify individual student users from the aggregated analytics you receive.
• Termination. We may remove your venue from the app or terminate your portal access at any time for violation of these Terms or the Acceptable Use Policy.

Contact

BuzzedUp LLC
Columbus, Ohio

Privacy questions, legal notices, DMCA reports, arbitration opt-outs, and everything else:
buzzedupapp@gmail.com