Privacy Policy – Hand to Hold App

Last updated: March 2026

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Hand to Hold collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use the Hand to Hold mobile application (the “App”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information with care, especially given the sensitive nature of the experiences our community shares.

Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing early intervention mental health support before, during, and after a NICU stay, ensuring that all NICU families thrive. The Hand to Hold community is a safe space for NICU and bereaved parents to connect with one another and access free resources.

By using the App, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

Hand to Hold can be contacted at:

12325 Hymeadow Dr., Suite 4–102,
Austin, TX 78750
Phone: 855-424-6428
Email: app@handtohold.org

2. What Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you register and use the App, we collect the following information:

  • Email address — used to create your account, send service-related communications such as password resets, and verify your identity. We will not send marketing emails unless you have explicitly opted in.
  • Name or username — displayed alongside any posts or comments you make within the App. You do not need to use your real name, though we encourage it. Other users can search for you by name.
  • Password — stored using secure one-way encryption. We cannot view your password. If you forget it, you can request a reset by email.
  • Profile photo — optional. If you add one, it will appear next to your posts, comments, and on your profile page.
  • Baby’s name and gestational age — used to personalize your experience and connect you with relevant content and community groups.
  • Milestone entries — notes, dates, and photos you choose to record within the App. These are private to you unless you choose to share them.
  • Posts and comments in community groups — content you choose to share within the App’s community spaces. Please be aware that posts in community groups may be visible to other registered members.

Information We Collect Automatically

When you use the App, we automatically collect certain technical and usage information through Google Firebase, including:

  • Firebase Analytics — we use Firebase Analytics to understand how the App is used, which features are most helpful, and how we can improve the experience. This includes information such as pages visited, features used, session duration, and device type. This data is collected in aggregate and does not identify you personally.
  • Firebase Authentication — manages your login session securely.
  • Firebase Cloud Messaging — used to send push notifications to your device, such as reminders or updates. You can manage notification preferences in your device settings.
  • Firestore — our database service, used to store your account information, milestone entries, and community content securely.
  • IP address — recorded to protect the App from unauthorized or malicious access. We may use this to determine your approximate location at a country or city level.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Create and manage your account
  • Personalize your experience in the App based on your baby’s information and NICU journey
  • Connect you with relevant community groups and content
  • Send service-related communications such as password resets and account notifications
  • Send push notifications, if you have enabled them
  • Understand how the App is being used so we can improve it
  • Protect the App and its users from unauthorized access or misuse

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Community Posts and Content

When you post or comment in community groups within the App, that content may be visible to other registered members of that group. Please be thoughtful about what personal information you choose to share in community spaces.

Milestone entries, photos, and personal notes you record in the App are private to you and are not visible to other users unless you choose to share them.

5. Children’s Privacy

The App is intended for use by adults. Users under the age of 13 must have verifiable parental or guardian consent before using the App. If you believe a child under 13 has registered without parental consent, please contact us immediately at app@handtohold.org so we can take appropriate action.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will securely and permanently delete your personal information, unless we are required to retain it by law.

You may request deletion of your account and personal data at any time by contacting us at app@handtohold.org.

7. Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

  • The right to access the personal information we hold about you
  • The right to correct inaccurate or incomplete information
  • The right to request deletion of your personal information
  • The right to restrict or object to certain types of processing
  • The right to withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent
  • The right to data portability — to receive your data in a structured, commonly used format

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at app@handtohold.org. We will respond to validated requests within 30 days. There is no charge for reasonable requests.

8. International Users

Hand to Hold is based in the United States. If you are accessing the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

By using the App, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in the United States. If you later wish to withdraw this consent, please contact us at app@handtohold.org.

9. Third-Party Services

The App uses Google Firebase, a service provided by Google LLC, to support authentication, data storage, analytics, and push notifications. Firebase’s use of your data is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy, available at https://policies.google.com/privacy.

The App may contain links to external websites or resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Cookies

The App itself does not use cookies. If you access any web-based features associated with the App, such as account management pages, those pages may use cookies to support basic functionality and gather anonymous usage metrics. Third-party websites linked from the App may also use cookies outside of our control.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will notify you the next time you open the App and ask you to review and accept the updated policy before continuing to use the App. The date at the top of this policy reflects when it was last updated.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or need to report a concern, please contact us:

Hand to Hold
12325 Hymeadow Dr., Suite 4–102
Austin, TX 78750
Phone: 855-424-6428
Email: app@handtohold.org