privacy policy

Last Updated: February 21, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how About Nine (the "App") collects, uses, analyzes, discloses, and protects your personal information. Please read this policy carefully before using the App.

The App is provided by Dalbit Arae Eoheung, an individual business operator organized under the laws of the Republic of Korea ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), and is offered to users located in the United States and Canada on a cross-border basis.

Cross-Border Notice: Your personal data, including voice data, will be transferred to and processed in the Republic of Korea. Data protection laws in Korea may differ from those in your country or province of residence. By using the App, you acknowledge and consent to this international transfer.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account registration details (e.g., name, date of birth, email address)
• Profile information and dating preferences
• User-generated content, including voice recordings and profile prompts
• Communications with our customer support team

1.2 Voice and Conversation Data (Biometric Information)

As a voice-based dating service, we collect voice data generated during in-app conversations. This may include audio recordings, voice feature extracts, timestamps, interaction context, and related metadata.

Depending on your jurisdiction, voice data may constitute biometric information under applicable law, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), Texas CUBI, Washington My Health MY Data Act, and similar statutes.

• Purpose: We use voice data solely to provide the service, improve matching algorithms, and maintain safety and moderation systems.
• No Biometric Authentication: We do not use voice data for security, authentication, or identification purposes unless required by law or with your separate explicit consent.
• No Sale of Biometric Data: We do not sell, lease, trade, or profit from your voice or biometric data under any circumstances.
• Retention: Voice data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the stated purposes, and is deleted within 90 days following account deletion unless otherwise required by law.

By using voice features in the App, you expressly consent to the collection, storage, and processing of your voice data as described in this Policy.

1.3 User Behavior and Interaction Data

We collect and analyze information about how you interact with the App, including:

• Matching, swiping, skipping, and connection activity
• Conversation frequency, duration, and response patterns
• Feature usage, navigation paths, and in-app actions
• Error logs, crash reports, and performance data

This behavioral data helps us understand user preferences, improve matching accuracy, optimize user experience, and enhance safety and moderation systems.

1.4 Automatically Collected Technical Information

• Device type, operating system version, and app version
• IP address and general location (country or region level)
• Time zone, language settings, and network type
• Session duration and crash logs

1.5 Precise Geolocation Data

With your explicit permission, we may collect your precise geolocation (GPS coordinates) to enable distance-based matching features. You can withdraw this permission at any time through your device settings. Revoking location access may limit certain features.

1.6 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies, mobile SDKs, pixels, and similar technologies to:

• Remember user preferences and session state
• Analyze usage trends and engagement metrics
• Measure feature performance and improve reliability
• Prevent fraud and ensure platform security

You may control cookies through your browser or device settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect App functionality. We do not use cookies for cross-context behavioral advertising.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the App and its features
• Enable voice-based communication between matched users
• Analyze user behavior to improve usability and engagement
• Train, evaluate, and improve matching and recommendation algorithms, using data in aggregated or de-identified form where technically feasible
• Personalize content and match suggestions
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, or safety risks
• Monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and debug errors
• Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
• Send service-related notifications (e.g., matches, updates)
• Comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations

We will not use your personal data for purposes materially inconsistent with those stated above without seeking your prior consent.

3. Legal Bases for Processing

We process your personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• Consent: For voice data, biometric information, precise geolocation, and any processing beyond what is strictly necessary to provide the service.
• Contract Performance: Processing necessary to deliver the App and services you have requested.
• Legitimate Interests: Fraud prevention, security, service improvement, and product analytics, where such interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Legal Obligations: Where processing is required to comply with applicable laws.

For Canadian users, consent is the primary legal basis for collection, use, and disclosure of personal data under PIPEDA and applicable provincial laws.

4. Machine Learning and Automated Processing

We use automated systems, including machine learning models, to analyze profile data, stated preferences, behavioral signals, and voice data in order to generate match recommendations and improve service quality.

Automated processing is used to support — not replace — human judgment for core matching decisions. Automated systems do not produce legal effects or similarly significant decisions about you without human review.

Quebec users: Pursuant to Quebec's Law 25, you have the right to be informed of and to challenge decisions made using automated processing. Please contact us at support@aboutnine.com to exercise this right.

5. Information Shared with Other Users

To facilitate matching, certain information is visible or audible to other users:

• Profile details, preferences, and photos you choose to share
• Voice recordings or prompts created for your profile
• Live voice data during active conversations with matched users

You are responsible for the content you share with other users. We recommend exercising caution when disclosing personal details, and remind you that the App does not conduct background checks on other users.

6. How We Share Information with Third Parties

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with third parties only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: Vendors supporting cloud hosting, voice infrastructure, analytics, security, and customer support, who are contractually bound to protect your data and may only use it to provide services to us.
• Legal Authorities: When required by applicable law, valid legal process, or to protect the safety of users or the public.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case we will notify you and ensure continued protection of your data.
• With Your Consent: For any other purpose with your explicit prior consent.

7. International Data Transfers

The Company is operated from the Republic of Korea. Your personal data, including voice data, will be transferred to and processed in Korea, and may also be processed in other jurisdictions where our service providers operate.

• Safeguards: We implement reasonable technical, organizational, and contractual safeguards for all cross-border data transfers, including data processing agreements with our service providers.
• Quebec — Law 25: A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) has been or will be conducted prior to transferring personal data outside Quebec, as required by Law 25. You may request information about our cross-border transfer practices by contacting us at support@aboutnine.com.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and maintain service integrity.

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active. Upon account deletion, personal identifying information is deleted or anonymized within 30 days, unless retention is required for legal, safety, or fraud prevention purposes.
• Voice Data: Deleted within 90 days following account deletion, unless retention is required by law.
• Behavioral and Analytics Data: Retained in aggregated or de-identified form for up to 2 years for product improvement purposes.
• Legal Holds: Certain data may be retained longer where required by applicable law or ongoing legal proceedings.

9. Your Privacy Rights

9.1 United States — California (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights:

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal data we collect, use, or disclose, and the purposes for doing so.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal data we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations).
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale / Sharing: We do not sell or share your personal data for cross-context behavioral advertising. No action is required, but you may contact us for confirmation.
• Right to Limit Sensitive Data Use: You may request that we limit use of sensitive personal data — including voice data and precise geolocation — to purposes strictly necessary to provide the service.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA/CPRA rights.

To submit a request, email support@aboutnine.com with subject line "California Privacy Request." We will verify your identity before processing and respond within 45 days (extendable by an additional 45 days where necessary).

9.2 United States — Other States

Residents of Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Texas (TDPSA), and other states with applicable privacy laws may have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain processing. To exercise these rights, contact us at support@aboutnine.com with subject line "State Privacy Request."

9.3 Canada — PIPEDA and Provincial Laws

Canadian residents have the following rights under PIPEDA and applicable provincial privacy laws:

• Right of Access: Request access to your personal data held by us, including information about how it has been used and disclosed.
• Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent to our collection, use, or disclosure of your personal data at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. Withdrawal may affect your ability to use certain features.
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) at www.priv.gc.ca, or with the applicable provincial privacy authority.

9.4 Quebec — Law 25 (Additional Rights)

• Right to Data Portability: Request your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Withdraw Consent for Automated Decision-Making: Request that a person review any decision made solely by automated means that significantly affects you.
• Right to De-indexing: Request that we stop disseminating your personal data or de-index information linked to your name, where technically feasible.

To exercise Quebec-specific rights, contact our Privacy Officer at support@aboutnine.com with subject line "Quebec Privacy Request."

10. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for users who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If we become aware that personal data has been collected from a person under 18 without verifiable parental consent, we will take steps to delete such data promptly. If you believe a minor has provided personal data to us, please contact us at support@aboutnine.com.

11. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption of data in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security reviews.

However, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data. In the event of a data breach that creates a real risk of significant harm, we will notify affected users and applicable authorities as required by law.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting a notice in the App or by email at least 14 days before the changes take effect (or as required by applicable law). Your continued use of the App after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy. If you do not agree, you must stop using the App and may delete your account.

13. Contact Us & Privacy Officer

For any privacy-related inquiries, requests, or complaints, please contact:

Dalbit Arae Eoheung (Individual Business Operator)
Jurisdiction: Republic of Korea
Email: support@aboutnine.com
Subject Line: "Privacy Request" (or specify your region, e.g., "California Privacy Request," "Quebec Privacy Request")

We will acknowledge receipt of your request and respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

Canadian users may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Website: www.priv.gc.ca
Toll-free: 1-800-282-1376