Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 27, 2025

Information We Collect

Retro Instant Messenger collects only the minimal information necessary to provide our messaging service. We collect and store the following data:

• Email Address: Used for account creation, verification, and password reset functionality
• Screen Name: Your unique identifier within the messaging service
• Encrypted Password: Stored using industry-standard encryption for security
• Buddy List: Your contact list organized into groups (default: "Buddies" and "Offline")
• Account Status: Whether you are online, offline, or away
• Away Message: Custom status message when you are away
• Last Seen Timestamp: When you were last active on the service
• Account Creation Date: When your account was created
• Activation Status: Whether your email address has been verified
• IP Address: When you log in, we collect your IP address to detect malicious activity

Information We Do NOT Collect

We are committed to protecting your privacy. We explicitly do NOT collect, store, or monitor:

• Messages: Your conversations are not stored on our servers
• Personal Information: No real names, addresses, phone numbers, or other personally identifiable information beyond what you provide
• Browsing Data: No tracking cookies or analytics beyond basic service functionality
• Device Information: No hardware or software details about your device

Security and IP Address Handling

To maintain service security and prevent abuse, we temporarily store IP addresses for the following purposes:

• Security Monitoring: IP addresses are temporarily logged to detect and prevent malicious activity
• Terms of Service Enforcement: We may block IP addresses that violate our Terms and Conditions
• Abuse Prevention: Protecting our service and users from spam, attacks, and unauthorized access
• Temporary Storage: IP addresses are automatically purged after a short retention period

IP addresses are only used for security purposes and are never sold, shared with third parties, or used for tracking or advertising purposes.

How We Use Your Information

The limited information we collect is used solely to:

• Create and maintain your account
• Verify your email address during registration
• Enable password reset functionality
• Facilitate real-time messaging between users
• Maintain your buddy list and status information

Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely with the following protections:

• Passwords are encrypted using industry-standard security methods
• Database access is restricted and secured
• No message content is stored on our servers
• Account data is only retained as long as your account is active

Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties. Your email address and account details remain private and are used exclusively for the Retro Instant Messenger service.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your account information
• Update your email address or screen name
• Delete your account and associated data
• Request information about what data we store

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us through our website or email support.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.