Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 24, 2026

mello is an events-first app for making platonic friends nearby. This policy explains what we collect when you use mello, why we collect it, who helps us process it, and the choices you have. We keep the footprint small on purpose: friendship should not cost you your privacy.

Information we collect

Account information. Your email address and authentication details when you create an account, plus basic settings such as notification preferences.

Profile information. The first name, photos, age range, and activity interests you choose to share, along with anything you write in your bio. You decide what goes on your profile.

Approximate location. A coarse, city-or-neighborhood-level location used to surface nearby events. We do not publish your exact coordinates, and we do not show other members where you live.

Identity verification result. A pass or fail outcome from our verification partner, plus the date of the check. We do not receive or store your government ID image or your selfie.

Messages and event activity. The event chats you join, your RSVPs, and the messages you send within an event. These let the app coordinate plans and support safety review when something is reported.

How we use your information

We use the information above to run the core of mello and nothing more than that requires.

Run the service. To create and secure your account, show events near you, power event chat, and send the reminders that reduce no-shows.

Keep the community real and safe. To confirm members are real people through identity verification, to enforce our community rules, and to review reports of unsafe or off-rules behavior.

Improve mello. To understand which features help people actually meet, using aggregated and de-identified usage data wherever possible.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your data to build advertising profiles.

Identity verification and biometric data

Verification is handled by a specialized third-party identity verification partner. When you choose to verify, you give explicit consent, and the partner processes your government ID and a selfie to confirm you are a real, unique person. That biometric processing happens on the partner's systems.

mello stores only the result of that check (verified or not) and the date. We never receive or retain your ID image, your selfie, or the underlying facial geometry. You can withdraw your biometric consent at any time in Account settings; doing so returns your account to unverified and deletes the verification result we hold.

Third-party processors

Identity verification. Our verification partner performs the identity and biometric check and returns only the pass or fail result to mello.

Payments. A third-party payment processor handles refundable RSVP holds and any paid features. Card details go directly to the processor; mello does not store full card numbers.

These processors act on our behalf under contracts that limit how they may use your data. We share with them only what each function requires.

Data retention and deletion

We keep your information for as long as your account is active, then for a limited period afterward where we are required to for safety, legal, or fraud-prevention reasons. You can delete your account at any time; when you do, we remove your profile and personal data within a reasonable period, except for the limited records we must retain by law.

Withdrawing biometric consent deletes the verification result immediately, separately from full account deletion.

Your choices

Access and correction. You can view and edit most of your profile data directly in the app.

Location. You can turn off location access in your device settings; nearby discovery will be limited if you do.

Communication. You can manage event and reminder notifications in Notifications settings.

Children

mello is for adults. You must be at least 18 to create an account, and we do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as mello evolves. When we make a material change, we will update the date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the app.

Contact us

Questions about privacy or your data? Reach us at legal@mellomeet.com.