Privacy Policy
Last updated
Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Nearby (“Nearby,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, stores, and protects information when you access or use our website, applications, protocol interfaces, documentation, developer tools, and related services (collectively, the “Services”).
Nearby is a privacy-preserving coordination protocol designed to enable location verification, local communication, and offline value exchange across connected and disconnected environments.
By using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are
Nearby is operated by Nearby Finance.
For privacy-related questions, you may contact us at:
Email: privacy@nearby.finance
2. Information We Collect
We aim to minimize the amount of personal information we collect. The information we collect depends on how you interact with the Services.
2.1 Information You Provide to Us
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:
Name or username
Email address
Company or project name
Support messages or inquiries
Feedback, forms, or community submissions
Developer access requests
Any other information you choose to submit
2.2 Wallet and Blockchain Information
When you interact with blockchain-based features, we may process publicly available blockchain information, including:
Wallet addresses
Transaction hashes
Network identifiers
Smart contract interactions
Token-related activity
On-chain proof verification events
Blockchain networks are public by design. Information submitted to a blockchain may be visible to anyone and may not be removable by Nearby.
2.3 Proof of Location Data
Nearby’s Proof of Location layer is designed to verify location-related claims without requiring users to reveal exact coordinates.
Depending on the implementation, the Services may process:
Cryptographic proof outputs
Public proof inputs required for verification
Device attestation metadata
Timestamp or region-based verification metadata
Proof status and validation results
Nearby does not aim to collect or store precise location history. Where possible, location-related verification is performed using privacy-preserving techniques such as zero-knowledge proofs, selective disclosure, and on-device processing.
However, some applications built on or integrated with Nearby may request or process additional location-related information. Those applications are responsible for their own privacy practices.
2.4 Mesh Networking Data
Nearby Mesh enables local peer-to-peer communication between nearby devices.
Depending on the feature used, we or the relevant application may process:
Mesh network identifiers
Message routing metadata
Device or session identifiers
Local network participation events
Encrypted message packets
Relay or delivery status information
Nearby Mesh is designed to reduce dependence on centralized infrastructure, but mesh networking may still expose certain technical metadata, such as routing patterns, device proximity signals, or participation timing.
2.5 OfflinePay and Payment-Related Data
OfflinePay enables offline-first stablecoin payment flows with later reconciliation.
Depending on your interaction, we may process:
Offline payment notes
Cryptographic signatures
Transaction histories submitted during reconciliation
Witness attestations
Settlement status
Conflict or double-spend detection metadata
Public blockchain settlement records
Offline transactions may be locally valid before they are globally finalized. Final settlement may require submission to a blockchain network.
2.6 Technical and Usage Data
When you access our website or Services, we may automatically collect technical information, including:
IP address
Browser type and version
Device type
Operating system
Referral source
Pages visited
Session duration
Error logs
Performance metrics
Approximate region derived from technical signals
This information helps us operate, secure, and improve the Services.
2.7 Cookies and Similar Technologies
We may use cookies and similar technologies to:
Maintain website functionality
Remember preferences
Analyze website performance
Improve user experience
Protect against abuse or security threats
We do not use cookies to sell personal information. You may control cookies through your browser settings.
3. How We Use Information
We use information for the following purposes:
To provide, operate, and improve the Services
To enable location verification, mesh communication, and offline transaction flows
To support protocol functionality and developer integrations
To process support requests and respond to inquiries
To monitor performance, reliability, and security
To detect fraud, abuse, spam, or unauthorized activity
To verify blockchain or cryptographic interactions
To comply with legal obligations
To enforce our Terms of Use
To communicate important updates about the Services
We do not sell your personal information.
We do not use private user data to train external artificial intelligence models without your consent.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
Where applicable privacy laws require a legal basis for processing, we rely on one or more of the following:
Performance of a contract: to provide the Services you request
Legitimate interests: to secure, maintain, and improve the Services
Consent: where you choose to provide information or accept optional cookies
Legal obligations: where processing is required by law
Protection of rights and safety: to prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents
5. How We Share Information
We may share information in limited circumstances:
5.1 Service Providers
We may share information with trusted service providers that help us operate the Services, such as hosting providers, analytics tools, security services, email providers, and infrastructure partners.
These providers may only process information for the services they provide to us.
5.2 Blockchain Networks
If you interact with blockchain features, certain information may be submitted to public blockchain networks. Public blockchain data may be permanent, transparent, and accessible by third parties.
5.3 Developer Integrations and Third-Party Applications
Nearby may be integrated into third-party applications. If you use an external application built on Nearby, that application may collect and process information under its own terms and privacy policy.
Nearby is not responsible for third-party privacy practices.
5.4 Legal Compliance
We may disclose information if required to comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, court order, or government request.
5.5 Security and Protection
We may share information where necessary to investigate, prevent, or respond to fraud, abuse, security incidents, or threats to users, the protocol, or the Services.
5.6 Business Transfers
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, financing, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
6. Data Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, including:
Encryption where appropriate
Access controls
Secure infrastructure practices
Monitoring and logging
Security reviews
Limited access to operational systems
However, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee that unauthorized access, data loss, or misuse will never occur.
Users are responsible for protecting their own wallets, private keys, seed phrases, devices, and credentials.
7. Data Retention
We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.
Some blockchain data may remain publicly available indefinitely because Nearby does not control public blockchain networks.
Local mesh communications or offline payment data may be stored on user devices or third-party systems outside Nearby’s direct control.
8. Your Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:
Access the personal information we hold about you
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of personal information
Request restriction of processing
Object to certain processing
Request portability of your data
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority
To exercise your rights, contact us at:
We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request.
Please note that we may not be able to delete or modify information recorded on public blockchain networks.
9. International Data Transfers
We may process and store information in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws.
Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for international transfers, such as contractual protections or other lawful transfer mechanisms.
10. Children’s Privacy
The Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.
11. Third-Party Links and Services
The Services may contain links to third-party websites, wallets, block explorers, applications, exchanges, or other services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party services. You should review their privacy policies before using them.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
If we make material changes, we may notify users through the website, platform, or other reasonable means. The updated version will be effective when posted, unless otherwise stated.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact us at:
Nearby Finance
Email: privacy@nearby.finance