1. Introduction

Splitbillup (“we”, “our”, “us”) is a web-based expense splitting tool. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services. By using Splitbillup, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly and information generated by your use of the service.

2.1 Information You Provide

Expense Data — group names, participant names, expense descriptions, amounts, dates, payment methods, and split instructions.
Chat Data — when you use our AI parsing feature, you may upload or paste text from WhatsApp, iMessage, SMS, or other messaging apps.
Support Communications — any information you share when contacting customer support.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data — pages visited, features used, time spent, and interaction events.
Device & Technical Data — browser type, operating system, IP address, and general location inferred from IP.
Cookies & Local Storage — we use essential cookies and local storage to maintain session state and preferences. We do not use advertising cookies on the free tier.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

To provide and maintain the core expense splitting service.
To process AI-powered chat parsing and generate structured expense entries.
To enable real-time collaborative editing within groups.
To generate settlement calculations and payment references.
To improve service performance, reliability, and user experience.
To respond to support requests and communicate service updates.
To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse.
To comply with legal obligations.

4. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only in the following circumstances:

Within Groups — expense data is visible to anyone with the group link or who has been added as a participant. Do not share sensitive financial information you do not want group members to see.
Service Providers — we use trusted third-party processors for AI parsing, analytics, hosting, and payment processing. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
Legal Compliance — we may disclose data if required by law, subpoena, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Splitbillup, our users, or the public.
Business Transfers — in the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user data may be transferred as a business asset. You will be notified of any such change.

5. Data Retention

Retention periods depend on your plan and account activity:

Freemium Plan — expense data is retained for up to 90 days. Groups with no activity for 90 or more days may be eligible for automatic deletion to protect privacy and reduce storage overhead.
Paid Plans (Pro & Business) — expense data is retained indefinitely unless you request deletion.
Deleted Groups — once a group is deleted or its data is purged, it cannot be recovered.

6. AI & Automated Processing

When you use our AI parsing feature, chat text or message transcripts are processed by automated systems to extract expense data. Parsed data is used solely to populate your expense group and is not used to train third-party models unless explicitly disclosed. You review and confirm all AI-generated entries before they are saved.

7. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit (HTTPS) and secure storage practices. However, no method of electronic storage is 100% secure. You are responsible for safeguarding group links and any credentials associated with your account.

8. Your Rights & Choices

Access & Correction — you can view and edit your expense data directly within the app.
Deletion — you can delete individual expenses or entire groups at any time.
Data Portability — paid plan users may request an export of their data by contacting support.
Opt-Out — you may opt out of non-essential analytics and marketing communications where applicable.

9. Children's Privacy

Splitbillup is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

10. Third-Party Services

Our service may contain links to third-party payment apps (Venmo, PayPal, etc.) or other services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. International Data Transfers

Your data may be processed and maintained on servers located outside your country of residence. By using Splitbillup, you consent to the transfer of data to jurisdictions that may have different data protection standards.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at privacy@splitbillup.com.