Last Updated: 2024-10-31
This Privacy Notice describes the privacy practices of Emerald Chat LLC (“Emerald Chat”) and applies to all visitors of the Emerald Chat website and users of the Emerald Chat chat service (“you”).
Information Emerald Chat Collects
At the end of an Emerald Chat session, you or the other user may choose to save the text contents of the chat to Emerald Chat’s servers (a “Saved Chatlog”). A URL is generated for each Saved Chatlog, which may contain any category of personal information you chose to share during the chat. You and the other user may disclose a Saved Chatlog or any information shared during the chat. Additionally, the other user may take screenshots or use third-party software to broadcast or record chats. Be careful with the information you share with a stranger during a chat.
In addition to any information contained in a Saved Chatlog, within the last twelve (12) months, Emerald Chat has collected the following categories of personal information from the following sources and disclosed it for a business purpose to the following third parties:
| Category | Examples | Source | Disclosed With |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Identifiers. | Online identifier (an ID cookie assigned when you first log into Emerald Chat) and Internet Protocol address. | You | Service Providers, other users if you use video chat services, and may be disclosed to law enforcement. |
| B. Personal information categories listed in the California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)). | College domain name only if you use college mode. | You | Service Providers and other users if both are using college mode. |
| C. Protected classification characteristics under California or federal law. | NONE | ||
| D. Commercial information. | NONE | ||
| E. Biometric information. | NONE | ||
| F. Internet or other similar network activity. | Browsing history, search history, information on a consumer’s interaction with a website, application, or advertisement. | You | Service Providers, and may be disclosed to law enforcement. |
| G. Geolocation data. | Country-level geolocation, based on IP address, is used for safety and security purposes. | You | Service Providers. |
| H. Sensory data. | Visual snapshots of video stream chats are taken for moderation. | You | Service Providers, including moderation service providers, and may be disclosed to law enforcement. |
| I. Professional or employment-related information. | NONE | ||
| J. Non-public education information (per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g, 34 C.F.R. Part 99)). | NONE | ||
| K. Inferences drawn from other personal information. | NONE |
Video Chat
Emerald Chat’s video chat service requires a direct connection between your computer and the other user’s computer. To enable this, it is necessary to make your IP address available to the other user’s computer, though it is not shown to the other user by Emerald Chat’s interface. This is a necessary part of how any P2P video chat system functions. If you are not comfortable with this, use text mode (or spy mode) instead.
Cookies
Emerald Chat and its third-party service providers use cookies, tokens, widgets, or other similar technologies (collectively “Cookies”) for certain features of the chat services to function. The Cookies collect personal information as follows:
- ID Cookie: Emerald Chat uses an ID Cookie to randomly assign your device browser an online identifier, which is used for website and chat services safety and security purposes.
- Interest Cookies: Interest cookies allow you to save your interests and preferences while using the chat services. When you request to start a chat using the common interest feature, information from an Interest cookie is sent to Emerald Chat and used to locate another user with overlapping interests.
- College Cookies: These allow you to save your preferences when using college mode and identify your college’s domain name if you choose to use college mode.
- Language Cookies: Allow you to be matched with users with the same language preference.
- Auto-reroll Cookie: Enables or disables the auto-rerolling function in video chat services.
- CAPTCHA: To prevent spam and block bots.
- Google Translate: To allow you to translate the site content.
- Google Analytics: To track anonymous statistical information for maintaining and enhancing the site and services.
You can control Cookies through your browser settings, though declining them may impact functionality.
Use of Personal Information
Emerald Chat may use or disclose the personal information it collects for various business purposes, including:
- Providing the chat service and fulfilling other purposes for which you provided the information.
- Ensuring the safety, security, and integrity of the site and chat services.
- Evaluating and improving the site and services, often by producing statistical data.
- Monitoring compliance with guidelines and policies.
- Responding to legal requests and complying with applicable law.
- Supporting business restructuring processes if applicable.
Emerald Chat will not use personal information for purposes unrelated to this Privacy Policy without providing notice.
Sharing Personal Information
Emerald Chat may disclose your personal information to third parties for business purposes. Emerald Chat contracts with these recipients to keep personal information confidential and to use it only for the intended purposes.
Emerald Chat uses Linode for hosting services, AWS for Saved Chatlog storage services, and Cloudflare for content delivery network services.
Sales of Personal Information
Emerald Chat does not exchange your personal information for money. However, any former use of embedded social media buttons on the site may have constituted a “sale” of information under CCPA guidelines. Emerald Chat has since removed these buttons.
Your Rights and Choices
You may request that Emerald Chat disclose the specific personal information it has collected about you in the last 12 months. You also have the right to request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
Exercising Rights
To exercise access, data portability, and deletion rights, please contact us by:
- Emailing [email protected] with “Emerald Chat-Privacy” in the subject line, or
- Writing to Emerald Chat/Connected Software Inc., 600 N Broad Street, Suite 5 #1198, Middletown, Delaware 19709, United States.
California Privacy Rights
California residents have additional rights under the “Shine the Light” law and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including requests for information and deletion of personal information.
Notice Regarding Children
Emerald Chat does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe that a child has provided personal information, contact [email protected], and we will endeavor to delete that information.
Security
Emerald Chat uses reasonable security measures to protect your personal information, though it cannot guarantee complete security for data transmitted over the internet.
Links to Other Sites
This Privacy Notice applies only to Emerald Chat’s site and services. For third-party sites, please refer to their respective privacy practices.
Data Retention
Emerald Chat retains personal information for 120 days unless otherwise required for ongoing purposes or by law.
International Data Transfer Notice
Emerald Chat processes all information in the United States. By using Emerald Chat’s services, you consent to this transfer.
Changes to Our Privacy Notice
Emerald Chat reserves the right to amend this Privacy Notice. Any changes will be posted, and continued use of the site and services constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.