🔒 Security Overview

1. Overview

At Pryde Social, we take your security seriously. This page outlines the technical and organizational measures we implement to protect your data and ensure a safe platform for the LGBTQ+ community.

Our commitment: We use industry-standard security practices to safeguard your personal information, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain the integrity of our platform.

2. Data Encryption

Encryption in Transit

• HTTPS/TLS: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher
• Secure WebSockets: Real-time features (messaging, notifications) use encrypted WebSocket connections (WSS)
• API Security: All API endpoints require secure HTTPS connections

Encryption at Rest

• Password Hashing: Passwords are hashed using bcrypt with salt rounds (never stored in plain text)
• Database Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted at the database level
• File Storage: Uploaded media files are stored securely with access controls

3. Authentication & Access Control

Account Security

• Secure Login: JWT (JSON Web Token) based authentication with expiration
• Session Management: Automatic session timeout after inactivity
• Password Requirements: Minimum 8 characters with complexity requirements
• Account Recovery: Secure password reset via email verification

Access Controls

• Role-Based Access: Users can only access their own data and public content
• Privacy Controls: Granular privacy settings for posts, profile, and visibility
• Blocking & Reporting: Tools to block users and report inappropriate content

4. Infrastructure Security

Hosting & Servers

• Cloud Infrastructure: Hosted on secure, reputable cloud providers (Render)
• Server Hardening: Regular security updates and patches
• Firewall Protection: Network-level firewalls to prevent unauthorized access
• DDoS Protection: Cloudflare protection against distributed denial-of-service attacks

Database Security

• MongoDB Security: Authentication required, IP whitelisting, encrypted connections
• Regular Backups: Automated daily backups with encryption
• Access Logging: All database access is logged and monitored

5. Privacy & Data Protection

Data Minimization

• We only collect data necessary for platform functionality
• Optional fields remain optional (gender, orientation, location, etc.)
• You control what information is visible on your profile

Private Messages

• Privacy: Private messages are not monitored or read by staff
• Access: Messages are only accessed when reported for safety/legal reasons
• Retention: Messages are stored securely and can be deleted by users

See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for more details.

6. Threat Detection & Prevention

Automated Security

• Rate Limiting: Protection against brute force attacks and spam
• Input Validation: All user input is sanitized to prevent injection attacks
• XSS Protection: Cross-site scripting prevention measures
• CSRF Protection: Cross-site request forgery tokens on all forms

Content Moderation

• Reporting System: Users can report inappropriate content, harassment, or violations
• Review Process: Reported content is reviewed by moderators
• Account Actions: Warnings, suspensions, or bans for policy violations

7. Security Monitoring & Incident Response

Continuous Monitoring

• Server Monitoring: 24/7 automated monitoring of server health and security
• Error Tracking: Automated error logging and alerting
• Access Logs: All authentication attempts and admin actions are logged
• Anomaly Detection: Unusual activity patterns trigger alerts

Incident Response

• Response Team: Dedicated team to handle security incidents
• Breach Notification: Users will be notified within 72 hours of any data breach
• Investigation: All security incidents are investigated and documented
• Remediation: Immediate action to patch vulnerabilities and prevent recurrence

8. User Account Security

Best Practices for Users

• Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords (minimum 8 characters)
• Don't Share Credentials: Never share your password with anyone
• Logout on Shared Devices: Always log out when using public/shared computers
• Verify Links: Be cautious of phishing attempts - we'll never ask for your password via email
• Report Suspicious Activity: Contact us immediately if you notice unauthorized access

Account Recovery

• Email Verification: Password resets require email verification
• Secure Reset Links: Reset links expire after 1 hour
• Account Support: Contact us at support@prydeapp.com for account issues

9. Third-Party Security

Service Providers

We carefully vet all third-party services we use:

• Hosting: Render (secure cloud infrastructure)
• CDN: Cloudflare (DDoS protection, SSL/TLS)
• Email: Secure email service providers for notifications
• Media Storage: Secure cloud storage with encryption

No Data Selling

• We never sell your data to third parties
• We never share your data with advertisers
• Third-party services are used only for platform functionality

10. LGBTQ+ Safety Considerations

Privacy for High-Risk Users

We understand that LGBTQ+ individuals in certain regions face unique safety risks. Our Safety & Moderation page provides:

• Location Privacy: Option to hide or disable location sharing
• Online Status: Option to hide online status and last seen
• Profile Visibility: Control who can see your profile and posts
• Anonymous Browsing: Browse without revealing your identity

11. Vulnerability Disclosure

Responsible Disclosure

If you discover a security vulnerability, please report it responsibly:

• Email: support@prydeapp.com with subject "Security Vulnerability"
• Include: Detailed description, steps to reproduce, and potential impact
• Do Not: Publicly disclose the vulnerability before we've had time to fix it
• Response Time: We aim to respond within 48 hours

Bug Bounty

While we don't currently offer a formal bug bounty program, we deeply appreciate responsible disclosure and will acknowledge security researchers who help us improve platform security.

12. Contact & Support

Security Concerns

If you have security concerns or questions:

Related Resources

• Privacy Policy - How we handle your data
• Terms of Service - Platform rules and responsibilities
• Safety & Moderation - LGBTQ+ safety resources and tips
• Community Guidelines - Expected behavior on the platform