Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

KatChamp ("we," "our," or "us"), operated by Circle Hook Productions LLC, provides the KatChamp mobile application and website (the "Service") for catfish tournament management.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information. By using KatChamp, you agree to this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

• Email address – Authentication, account recovery, and notifications
• Display name – Your public name on leaderboards
• Profile photo – Optional avatar you upload
• Account type – Angler or Tournament Director role
• State/Region – Optional location shown on your card

2.2 Tournament & Catch Data

• Catch photos – Images submitted for verification
• Fish measurements – Length, weight, and species
• GPS coordinates – Location from photos or device, used to verify tournament boundaries
• Timestamps – When catches are submitted
• Tournament registrations – Events you've entered
• Team memberships – For team tournament formats

2.3 Communication Data

• Tournament chat messages – Messages in tournament chat rooms
• Direct messages – Messages between anglers and tournament directors
• Announcements – Tournament broadcast messages

2.4 Financial Information

• Wallet balance – Your KatChamp wallet funds
• Transaction history – Entry fees, winnings, deposits, withdrawals
• Payment processing – Handled by Stripe; we never see or store your credit card numbers

2.5 Device & Usage Data

• Device type & OS – For compatibility and troubleshooting
• Browser information – For web access
• App version – To ensure you have the latest features
• Feature usage – Which parts of the app you use
• Crash reports – To fix bugs and improve stability

2.6 Local Storage

We store some data locally on your device for offline access and performance:

• Tournament cache – Recently viewed tournaments
• Message queue – Unsent messages when offline
• Catch queue – Pending catch submissions
• Preferences – App settings and dismissed prompts

3. How We Use Your Information

• Operate tournaments – Register you, display leaderboards, process catches, distribute prizes
• Verify catches – Use photos, GPS, and timestamps to ensure fair competition
• Enable communication – Tournament chat, announcements, and direct messages
• Process payments – Handle entry fees, deposits, and payouts
• Prevent fraud – Detect duplicate submissions, manipulated photos, or cheating
• Send notifications – Tournament updates, results, and account alerts
• Improve the Service – Analyze usage to enhance features
• Provide offline access – Cache data for use without internet
• Comply with law – Respond to legal requests

4. Information Sharing

4.1 Public Information

Visible to other KatChamp users:

• Display name on leaderboards and catch feeds
• Catch photos and measurements
• Tournament results and rankings
• Chat messages in tournament rooms

4.2 Tournament Directors Can View

• Your registration status
• Submitted catches with photos and GPS
• Challenge/dispute information
• Direct messages you send them

4.3 Third-Party Services

We use these trusted services to operate KatChamp:

5. Data Retention

Data Type	Retention Period
Account & Profile	Until you delete your account
Tournament Records	Indefinitely (for historical leaderboards)
Catch Photos	1 year after tournament ends
GPS Coordinates	90 days after tournament (for disputes)
Chat Messages	1 year after tournament ends
Transaction History	7 years (tax/legal compliance)
Local Device Data	Until you clear app data or uninstall

6. Data Security

We protect your information with:

• Encryption in transit – All data sent over HTTPS/TLS
• Encryption at rest – Database encryption for stored data
• Secure authentication – Password hashing and secure sessions
• Access controls – Limited employee access to data
• Service worker security – PWA caching with secure strategies
• Row-level security – Database policies preventing unauthorized access

7. Your Rights & Choices

7.1 Access Your Data

Request a copy of your personal data by contacting privacy@katchamp.com.

7.2 Update Your Information

Edit your display name, profile photo, and email in the app settings.

7.3 Delete Your Account

Contact us to delete your account. We will:

• Remove your account and profile
• Delete your catch photos
• Anonymize your name on historical leaderboards
• Retain transaction records as required by law

7.4 Control Location Access

Disable GPS on your device, though this may prevent catch verification.

7.5 Manage Notifications

Opt out of promotional messages (essential tournament notifications will still be sent).

7.6 Clear Local Data

Clear cached data by clearing your browser/app storage or reinstalling.

8. Children's Privacy

KatChamp is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

Users ages 13-17 may use KatChamp with parental consent. Parents/guardians are responsible for their minor's use.

9. California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights:

• Right to know – What personal information we collect and how it's used
• Right to delete – Request deletion of your information
• Right to opt-out – Of the sale of personal information (we don't sell data)
• Right to non-discrimination – For exercising your rights

10. International Users

KatChamp is operated from the United States. By using the Service, you consent to your information being transferred to and processed in the U.S., where data protection laws may differ from your country.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. We'll notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy with a new "Last Updated" date
• Showing a notice in the app for significant changes
• Sending an email for major updates

Continued use after changes means you accept the updated policy.

12. Contact Us