Privacy Policy

Who we are

Vignettz is operated by Gleam Team LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, doing business as Vignettz ("Vignettz", "we", "us"). We operate the Vignettz app, which lets people record and listen to short audio stories tied to the real-world places they happened. This policy explains what information we collect, why, and the choices you have about it.

Information you give us

When you create an account we collect your email address and password, or — if you choose to sign up by phone instead — your phone number. When you set up your profile we collect the username, hometown, spoken languages, and profile picture you choose to add. When you record a story we collect its audio, title, description, category, and the location you pin it to.

Location information

Vignettz is built around real places, so location is central to how it works. We use your device location to show you stories near you and to measure distance to a story you're trying to reach. When you post a story, we store the location you choose for it — this is shown to other users so they can find the story in the real world. You can deny location access and still browse the app, though nearby-story features won't work without it.

Text messages (SMS)

If you choose to sign up or sign in with a phone number instead of an email address, we collect that phone number and send you a one-time verification code by text message. We send these codes only when you request one, and only after you tick the messaging consent checkbox in the app — it is unticked by default, and you can always use an email address instead. We do not send marketing or promotional texts. Message and data rates may apply from your carrier. Reply STOP to any message to stop receiving them, or HELP for support.

Your phone number is used only to deliver those codes and to sign you into your account. No mobile information is sold, and no mobile information or text-messaging consent is shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Phone numbers are shared only with the service providers that make authentication and message delivery work (Supabase and Twilio), and only for that purpose. Full details of the messaging program are on our Text Messages & Opt-In page.

How we use your information

We use your information to operate the app: to show you stories near you, to let you post and manage your own stories, to display your public profile to other users, and to keep the app secure and working correctly. If you've opted in to analytics (see "Cookies and similar technologies" below), we also use aggregated, anonymized usage data to understand how the app is used and to improve it.

Sharing with other users

Your username, profile picture, hometown, and any stories you post that have been approved are visible to other people using the app — that's the point of Vignettz. Your email address and exact account details are never shown to other users.

Third-party service providers

We use Supabase to host our database, file storage, and authentication — your account credentials, stories, audio files, and profile data are stored on their infrastructure under their own security practices. We use Twilio to deliver the one-time verification codes we text to people who sign in by phone. We use OpenAI's API to generate search embeddings from story text, which means the text of a story (not audio, and not your personal account details) is sent to OpenAI for that purpose when you post it or search.

Cookies and similar technologies

Vignettz is a mobile app rather than a website, so we don't use browser cookies, but the same principle applies to on-device identifiers and analytics technology. Some data is technically necessary for the app to function (like staying signed in) and is always on. Optional analytics — which help us understand app usage and improve reliability — are only enabled if you opt in, and you can change that choice at any time in Settings.

Age requirement

Vignettz is intended for people 18 and older, in part because some story categories may reference mature themes. We ask you to confirm your age at signup and don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

Data retention and deletion

We keep your account information for as long as your account is active. You can delete individual stories at any time from your profile. To delete your account and associated data entirely, contact us using the details below and we'll process the request.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your personal information, and to object to or restrict certain processing — including rights under the EU/UK GDPR and similar laws elsewhere. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below.

Changes to this policy

If we make material changes to this policy, we'll let you know in the app before they take effect.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Reach us at support@vignettz.com.