Last Updated: 26 May 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to The Friendly App.

Your privacy matters to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how The Friendly App and Tic Creative Ltd (“We”, “Us”, or “Our”) collect, use, store, process, and protect your personal information when you use our website, mobile applications, services, messaging systems, and related platforms (collectively referred to as the “Platform”).

By using The Friendly App, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Platform.

2. Who We Are

The Friendly App is operated by Tic Creative Ltd, United Kingdom.

The Friendly App is a grassroots sports platform designed to help teams, clubs, players, referees, leagues, supporters, and organisations connect and arrange sporting activities.

For the purposes of UK data protection law, Tic Creative Ltd acts as the data controller of your personal information.

3. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of information.

Information You Provide Directly

This may include:

• Full name

• Username

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Date of birth

• Team or club information

• Sporting role or position

• Profile photographs

• Messages and communications

• Event details

• Uploaded content

• Billing information

• Business or supplier information

Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Platform, we may automatically collect:

• Device information

• IP address

• Browser type

• Operating system

• Usage activity

• Pages viewed

• Time spent on the Platform

• Click behaviour

• Location information

• App diagnostics

• Cookies and analytics data

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Social login providers

• Payment processors

• Advertising partners

• Analytics services

• Clubs or organisations

• Publicly available sources

4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

• Provide and operate the Platform

• Create and manage user accounts

• Help users arrange matches and sporting activities

• Facilitate communication between users

• Improve user experience

• Personalise content and recommendations

• Send notifications and updates

• Provide customer support

• Monitor safety and safeguarding concerns

• Prevent fraud and misuse

• Process payments

• Deliver advertising and sponsored content

• Analyse Platform performance

• Comply with legal obligations

We may also use aggregated and anonymised data for research, statistics, reporting, and business development.

Because understanding grassroots sport at scale is useful. Particularly when everyone claims they are desperate for friendlies but somehow nobody replies to messages.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases for processing personal data:

Contractual Necessity

Where processing is necessary to provide services requested by you.

Legitimate Interests

Where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, including:

• Improving the Platform

• Preventing fraud

• Managing security

• Supporting community features

• Platform analytics

• Business growth

Consent

Where you have given consent for:

• Marketing communications

• Location permissions

• Push notifications

• Certain optional features

Legal Obligations

Where processing is necessary to comply with legal requirements.

6. Marketing Communications

We may send you:

• Product updates

• App news

• Match-related notifications

• Promotional offers

• Sponsored opportunities

• Marketing communications

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time using unsubscribe links or by contacting us.

Even grassroots football deserves fewer spam emails.

7. User Profiles and Public Information

Certain profile information may be publicly visible to other users.

Depending on your settings, this may include:

• Name

• Team or club

• Sporting role

• Profile image

• Fixtures

• Statistics

• Public posts

You are responsible for the information you choose to make public.

8. Messaging and Communications

The Platform may include messaging features.

Messages may be stored and processed:

• To deliver services

• For moderation purposes

• To investigate abuse or safeguarding concerns

• To improve system reliability

Users should not use the Platform for sharing sensitive personal information.

9. Safeguarding and Children’s Privacy

Protecting children and young people is extremely important to us.

Users under 18 should only use the Platform with appropriate parental, guardian, coach, or club oversight.

We may process limited information relating to minors where necessary for grassroots sporting activities.

Clubs, coaches, and organisers remain responsible for:

• Safeguarding compliance

• Supervision

• Consent requirements

• Child welfare procedures

If we become aware that personal information has been collected unlawfully from a child, we may remove the information and suspend associated accounts.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep users logged in

• Remember preferences

• Analyse traffic and behaviour

• Improve functionality

• Measure advertising performance

• Personalise content

You can manage cookie settings through your browser or device settings.

Some parts of the Platform may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

11. Location Data

With your permission, we may collect location information to help users:

• Find nearby teams

• Locate venues

• Arrange matches

• Discover local sporting opportunities

You can disable location access at any time through your device settings.

12. Advertising and Analytics

We may work with advertising and analytics partners to:

• Measure Platform performance

• Understand user behaviour

• Deliver relevant advertising

• Improve services

These third parties may use cookies or similar technologies.

We do not sell your personal data in the dramatic “your entire life sold to strangers” sense people fear.

However, advertising-supported features may involve limited data sharing with trusted service providers.

13. Third-Party Services

The Platform may contain links or integrations with third-party services including:

• Payment providers

• Social media platforms

• Mapping services

• Video platforms

• Analytics tools

• Advertising systems

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services.

Users should review third-party privacy policies separately.

14. Payment Information

Payments may be processed through third-party payment providers.

We do not store full payment card details on our servers.

Payment providers are responsible for securely processing financial transactions.

15. Data Sharing

We may share personal information with:

• Service providers

• Hosting providers

• Payment processors

• Analytics providers

• Advertising partners

• Legal authorities where required

• Safeguarding authorities where necessary

We only share information where there is a lawful basis for doing so.

16. International Transfers

Some of our service providers may store or process data outside the United Kingdom.

Where international transfers occur, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR.

17. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information.

However, no online system is completely secure.

Users are responsible for:

• Keeping passwords secure

• Protecting account access

• Reporting suspicious activity

If your password is “football123”, this is your polite warning.

18. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:

• Provide services

• Comply with legal obligations

• Resolve disputes

• Enforce agreements

• Support safeguarding requirements

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information.

19. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you may have rights including:

• The right to access your information

• The right to correct inaccurate data

• The right to erase personal information

• The right to restrict processing

• The right to object to processing

• The right to data portability

• The right to withdraw consent

• The right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details below.

20. Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account at any time.

Certain information may be retained where necessary for:

• Legal obligations

• Fraud prevention

• Safeguarding

• Security purposes

• Legitimate business requirements

21. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Updated versions will be posted on the Platform with a revised date.

Continued use of the Platform after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

22. Contact Information

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:

The Friendly App
Operated by Tic Creative Ltd
United Kingdom

Email: hello@thefriendlyapp.co.uk
Website: www.thefriendlyapp.co.uk

23. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.

Information Commissioner’s Office

Website: https://www.ico.org.uk

Plain English Summary

We collect some information so The Friendly App can function properly.

We use that information to:

• Help grassroots sport connect

• Improve the app

• Keep users safe

• Show relevant content

• Run advertising-supported features

We do not believe privacy policies should read like they were written by a malfunctioning fax machine in 1998.

If you have questions, contact us.