Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 13, 2026

1. Introduction

The Lineage Project LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") operates TheLineageApp ("App," "Platform," or "Service"), a family legacy preservation platform. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and share your information.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• What information we collect and why
• How we use and share your information
• Your privacy rights and choices
• How we protect your information

By using TheLineageApp, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Information:

• Full name
• Email address
• Date of birth (to verify age requirement of 18+)
• Password (encrypted)
• Profile photo (optional)
• Phone number (optional, for account security)

Family Tree Information:

• Names of family members
• Relationships between family members
• Birth dates, death dates, and locations
• Biographical information
• Family stories and memories

Content You Create:

• Photos and videos uploaded to family trees or memorials
• Voice recordings and audio files
• Written stories, biographies, and remembrances
• Memorial tributes
• Autobiography responses
• Comments and messages to family members

Payment Information (if applicable):

• Credit card or payment method details (processed by third-party payment processors; we do not store complete payment card numbers)
• Billing address
• Transaction history

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

Usage Data:

• Device information (device type, operating system, device ID)
• IP address and approximate location
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and features used
• Time and duration of visits
• Referral sources
• App interactions and navigation patterns

Technical Data:

• Log files and error reports
• Performance metrics
• Crash reports
• API usage data

Cookies and Similar Technologies:

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to maintain your session, remember your preferences, analyze usage patterns, and provide security features. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit functionality.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

If you choose to connect your account with social media platforms or sign up using third-party services (Google, Apple, etc.), we may receive basic profile information necessary to create your account.

2.4 Sensitive Information

Users may voluntarily share health-related information such as cause of death, medical conditions, family health history, or genetic information.

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 To Provide and Improve the Service

We use your information to create and manage your account, build and maintain your family tree, connect you with family members you invite, display content you create, process subscription payments, provide customer support, and improve app functionality.

3.2 Family Connections and Inheritance

When you invite family members, we share the family tree information you've created with them. They receive access to photos, stories, and memories you've shared. This "inheritance" system prevents duplicate work across family members.

3.3 Communications

We may send you account-related notifications, service updates, responses to support inquiries, and optional marketing communications (with your consent, and you can opt out).

3.4 Analytics and Research

We analyze usage data to understand how users interact with the Service, identify bugs, improve performance, develop new features, and create aggregated, de-identified statistics.

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Family Members You Invite

When you invite family members to your family tree, they receive access to family tree information you've shared, can view photos, stories, and biographical information, inherit the family tree structure, and may download or copy content you've shared. You control who you invite and what content you share.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us with cloud hosting and data storage, payment processing, email delivery, analytics, customer support, content moderation, and security. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

4.3 What We DO NOT Do

5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

You have the right to access and review your personal information, correct inaccurate information, delete your account and personal data, export your data, opt out of marketing communications, and control cookie preferences.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@thelineageproject.com.

6. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to request deletion, the right to opt-out of sale (we do not sell personal information), and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights.

To exercise your CCPA rights, email privacy@thelineageproject.com with the subject line "CCPA Request."

7. Children's Privacy

TheLineageApp is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18 years old. While users may include family members of all ages in their family trees, only individuals 18+ may create accounts.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from someone under 18, we will delete that information promptly. Parents or guardians should contact us at privacy@thelineageproject.com.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, including encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL), encryption of data at rest, secure authentication (JWT-based), regular security assessments, access controls, monitoring for suspicious activity, and secure backup procedures.

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and reporting any security breaches to us immediately.

9. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active, as necessary to provide the Service, as required by law, and as needed to resolve disputes. After you delete your account, most information is deleted within 90 days.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information is stored on servers located in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your data based on legal grounds including consent, contract performance, legitimate interests, and legal compliance. You have rights under the GDPR and may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you via email, post a notice in the app, and update the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy:

• Email: privacy@thelineageproject.com
• Support: support@thelineageproject.com
• CCPA requests: privacy@thelineageproject.com (Subject: "CCPA Request")
• Data deletion: support@thelineageproject.com (Subject: "Delete My Account")

The Lineage Project LLC
Rockwall, Texas

Response time: We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days (45 days for CCPA requests).