1. Who we are

Next4Chat (“Next4Chat”, “we”, “us”) is a messaging and communication product developed and operated by NextRobic Technologies. This policy explains how we handle information when you use the Next4Chat apps on web, Android and iOS, and the website at next4chat.com (together, the “Service”).

2. Information we collect

Account information: your phone number or email address, name, username, profile photo, about text and date of birth you add. If you set the optional registration PIN, it is stored only as a hash.
Contacts: if you choose to sync them, your phone contacts are used to show which contacts are already on Next4Chat.
Encrypted chats and calls: chat messages, replies, edits, photos, videos, voice notes, documents, file names and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Our servers store and pass on only encrypted data that we cannot read. Scheduled messages are sealed on your device and stored only as ciphertext until they are sent.
Delivery information: to deliver messages, our servers see who talks to whom, when, and the type and size of each message.
Content that is not end-to-end encrypted: statuses, profile photos, reactions and polls, which are protected with HTTPS on the way to our servers.
Encryption keys: each phone and browser has its own key. Private keys stay on your device and are not sent to us.
Backups: if you turn on Google Drive backup, your chats, media, keys and settings are encrypted with your backup password and stored in Next4Chat's private folder in the Google account you choose. We cannot read them, and we cannot restore them without your password.
Statuses: the text, photos and videos you post, the audience you choose, and who viewed, liked or commented on them. Statuses last 24 hours.
My Khata records: if you use My Khata, the customers you add (such as names and mobile numbers), entries for what you gave and received, balances, statements and staff access you set up.
Call information: information needed to set up and connect voice and video calls, and your call history.
Linked devices: the browsers and phones signed in to your account, such as browser name, operating system and last active time.
Settings: such as theme, font, privacy choices, quiet hours and notification preferences, so they can follow you between the phone and the web.
Device and usage information: such as device type, operating system, app version, IP address, crash logs and diagnostic data.
Support communications: information you provide when you contact us.

3. How we use information

To create and manage your account and verify your phone number or email.
To deliver messages, attachments and calls, and show indicators such as delivery status, read receipts and typing status.
To show your statuses only to the audience you choose, and to show you who viewed and liked them.
To run My Khata, including balances, statements and payment reminders you choose to send.
To keep the Service safe, including rate limits, blocking, reports, moderation and audit logs of admin actions and Khata changes.
To maintain, troubleshoot and improve the Service.
To respond to your requests and send service-related notices.
To comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only:

With the people you communicate with, as part of using the Service.
With service providers who help us operate the Service (for example hosting, SMS or email verification and notifications), under appropriate obligations.
When required by law, or to protect the rights, safety and security of our users and the Service.
As part of a business transfer such as a merger or acquisition, subject to this policy.

5. How we protect information

Sign-in codes and the optional registration PIN are stored only as hashes, web sign-in needs approval on your phone, every signed-in device can be signed out remotely, and photos and files are served through links that expire.

Chat messages, files and calls are end-to-end encrypted (X25519 keys and XChaCha20-Poly1305), so not even Next4Chat can read them. Date of birth and My Khata email, address and notes are encrypted on our servers (AES-256). All traffic uses HTTPS. You are told on your other devices when a new device signs in.

Statuses, profile photos, reactions and polls are not end-to-end encrypted, and our servers see who talks to whom, when, and the type and size of each message. See our Security page for details.

6. Data retention

We keep information for as long as needed to provide the Service and for the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer period is required by law. Statuses expire after 24 hours, and disappearing messages are deleted after the time you choose. Our daily encrypted server backups are kept for 30 days. Your Google Drive backups stay in your Google account until you delete them or disconnect Google Drive. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymise your information as described below.

7. Your choices and controls

Update your profile information in the app.
Choose who sees your last seen, profile photo, about, phone number and status, whether read receipts are sent, and who can add you to groups.
Block contacts and report unwanted interactions.
Review linked devices and sign them out remotely.
Export a chat, or back up your chats to Google Drive and choose which account and which media to include.
Turn on app lock, and silence calls from people not in your contacts.
Manage device permissions such as contacts, camera, microphone and notifications in your device settings.
Request access to, correction of or deletion of your personal information by contacting us.

8. Account deletion

You can ask us to delete your Next4Chat account and associated personal data at any time:

Open Next4Chat, go to Settings → Account → Delete account and follow the steps.
Or send a request from the email or phone number linked to your account to privacy@next4chat.com, or use our contact form and choose “Account deletion”.

Once your request is verified, we delete your account and personal data, except information we must keep for legal, security or fraud-prevention reasons. Messages you already sent may remain on the devices of the people you sent them to.

9. Children

Next4Chat is not intended for children under the minimum age required in their country to use online services. We do not knowingly collect information from such children.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and update the date above. Significant changes may also be notified in the app.

11. Contact us

For privacy questions, contact NextRobic Technologies at privacy@next4chat.com or through our contact page.

Privacy Policy