1. Who this policy covers
This Privacy Policy describes how Handpicked Match (“Handpicked,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) processes information when you use the Handpicked mobile app, website, support channels, and human matchmaking service (together, the “Service”). Handpicked is for adults age 18 or older.
If another notice appears at the point where information is collected—for example, an identity-verification notice—that more specific notice also applies.
2. What is shown to a potential match—and what stays private
Handpicked does not offer public profile search or a swipe feed. A completed profile is reviewed by authorized Handpicked personnel. We may show an introduction profile only to a person selected as a potential match.
Introduction profile
The information labeled as part of your introduction profile may be shown to a selected potential match. This typically includes your first name, age, general location, photos, dating-profile prompts, occupation or education information you choose to provide, and other fields clearly previewed as “shown in your profile.” Review that preview before submitting.
Matchmaker-only information
The app separately asks you to write to your matchmaker and explain what actually matters to you in a partner. These answers may include your priorities around physical attraction, personality, career, ambition, financial outlook, height, religion, ethnicity, and shared interests. They may also include dealbreakers, private context, availability, acceptance or pass choices, and feedback. When you choose to submit an optional sensitive preference, you direct us to use it for matchmaking. You can withdraw that choice for future matching by removing the information in the app or contacting us.
We do not show these matchmaker-only answers verbatim to a potential match. Authorized matchmakers use them to evaluate compatibility and may use the underlying themes to write a short “why you were paired” note. That note should not quote or identify a sensitive preference without your permission. Matchmaker-only does not mean that one individual is the only person or system that can access the data: a limited number of authorized staff and service providers may process it to operate, secure, and support Handpicked.
After a mutual acceptance, we may use availability information to suggest date times. We do not share your complete availability notes or connected-calendar details with the other person; we share only proposed times or details needed to coordinate, unless you choose otherwise. Your response to a proposed plan, private change note, post-date rating, interest in another date, and safety flag are visible to authorized Handpicked staff—not the other member.
3. Information we collect
- Account and contact information: name, email address, phone number if used, date of birth or age, login information, account identifiers, and general location.
- Profile content: photos, pronouns, gender, sexual orientation or dating eligibility, biography, prompts, occupation, education, interests, lifestyle information, and other content you submit.
- Private matchmaking information: your message to the matchmaker, priorities, preferences, dealbreakers, compatibility feedback, acceptance or pass decisions, availability, scheduling-change notes, post-date feedback, and match history.
- Optional sensitive information: information such as ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other intimate preferences. Unless a field is clearly required to provide the core Service, you may leave optional sensitive fields blank and can update or remove them in the app.
- Photo-verification information: a selfie in which you hold up two fingers, the review status, and reviewer notes needed to resolve authenticity or safety concerns. An authorized Handpicked reviewer compares the selfie with your profile photos and checks that you appear to be an adult. Version 1.0 does not request a government ID, use a third-party verification vendor, or create a face scan or biometric template. The selfie is stored separately from your dating profile, is never shown to another member, and is scheduled for deletion within 30 days after review unless it is reasonably needed for an active safety investigation or legal duty.
- Purchase information: product purchased, transaction identifier, price region, entitlement or introduction-credit status, and refund or revocation status. Apple processes your payment credentials; Handpicked does not receive your full card number.
- Support and safety information: messages with support, reports, blocks, appeals, content connected to an incident, and evidence you choose to submit.
- Device and activity information: app version, operating system, language, device or installation identifier, push-notification token, feature interactions, approximate timestamps, IP address in server logs, crash records, and performance diagnostics.
We do not ask for your device contacts, precise GPS location, health records, or financial account credentials for the core Service. If a later version adds any of these, we will provide an in-context notice, request permission when required, and update our disclosures.
4. How we use information
- create and authenticate your account;
- let human matchmakers review profiles and private criteria, choose potential introductions, and write match rationales;
- show a selected introduction, record private accept or pass decisions, and coordinate a date after mutual acceptance;
- verify eligibility and authenticity, prevent fraud, and protect members;
- process and reconcile in-app purchases and the first-free-introduction benefit;
- send service messages and notifications you request;
- provide support, investigate reports, block accounts, enforce our rules, and handle appeals;
- debug, measure, and improve reliability and accessibility; and
- comply with law and establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
Matching is currently curated by real people. Administrative tools may sort or organize profiles, but we do not make final introduction decisions solely through an algorithm. If that materially changes, we will update this policy and the product explanation before relying on automated matching.
6. Retention and deletion
We keep account, profile, and matchmaking information while your account is active and as needed to provide the Service. You can initiate full account deletion in the app. We aim to complete a verified deletion request within 30 days. Data already queued in encrypted backups may remain for up to 90 additional days before being overwritten.
Deletion removes or de-identifies your profile, photos, private matchmaking answers, and other account content unless we must retain a limited record for a permitted reason. For example, we may retain transaction and tax records for up to seven years; safety, fraud, ban, and incident records for up to two years after account closure or longer while a report, legal claim, or legal duty remains unresolved; and the minimum information needed to demonstrate that we honored a deletion request.
We do not keep personal information merely because it may be useful someday. When a retention period ends, we delete or de-identify the information. De-identified information may be kept if it cannot reasonably be linked back to you.
See the account deletion instructions for the in-app path and what to expect. Deleting Handpicked does not erase Apple’s independent App Store purchase history.
7. Your choices and rights
In the app, you can review and edit many profile and preference fields, pause matching, manage notifications, block members, and request deletion. Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of personal information, withdraw consent, or object to certain processing.
To make a privacy request, use the in-app privacy controls or contact handpickedmatch@gmail.com. We may verify that the request came from you. You may use an authorized agent where local law allows it. We will not discriminate against you for exercising a privacy right.
Push notifications can be changed in the app or iOS Settings. Transactional messages needed for security, purchases, or account changes may still be sent while your account remains active.
8. Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed for the sensitivity of dating and identity information, including access controls and encryption in transit. No service can guarantee absolute security. Use a unique credential, protect your device, and contact us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access.
9. Adults only
Handpicked is not directed to anyone under 18, and minors may not create accounts. If we learn that a minor submitted information, we will remove the account and associated information. Report a suspected underage account through the app or to handpickedmatch@gmail.com.
10. Where information is processed
Handpicked’s primary application database and private media storage are hosted in Supabase’s West US (North California) region. Handpicked and service providers including Apple, Supabase, and Resend may process limited information in the United States and other countries where they operate. Those countries may have different privacy laws. Where required, we use an appropriate legal mechanism for a cross-border transfer.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the Service changes. We will post the revised policy with a new “Last updated” date and provide additional notice in the app when a change is material. We will not retroactively use sensitive private matchmaking information for a materially different purpose without appropriate notice or consent.
12. Contact us
Handpicked Match
Privacy and support: handpickedmatch@gmail.com