Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 2, 2026 · Effective date: June 2, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Empower Next Project, a non-profit organization, and its program Sober Living Companion (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collect, use, share, and protect information when you use the Sober Living Companion mobile application (the “App”), our website at soberlivingcompanion.com (the “Site”), and related services (together, the “Services”).
We built Sober Living Companion to support people in recovery and the sober living homes that serve them. Because recovery information is sensitive, we treat the data you entrust to us with care, and we design our Services to be consistent with the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) where it applies, as well as the privacy requirements of the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Who we are
- Information we collect
- How we use information
- Device permissions
- Location information
- Health information & HIPAA
- Payment information
- How we share information
- Third-party services
- Data retention
- Your rights & choices
- Account & data deletion
- How we protect information
- Children's privacy
- U.S. state privacy rights
- Changes to this policy
- Contact us
1. Who we are
Sober Living Companion is a program operated by Empower Next Project, a non-profit organization. You can reach us at:
- Empower Next Project (a non-profit organization)
- EIN: 39-3580172
- 1501 Bartlett Lane, #5106, Sacramento, CA 95815
- Phone: (213) 321-6518
- Email: info@empowernextproject.org
2. Information we collect
We collect the following categories of information, depending on how you use the Services:
Information you provide
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Account & profile | Name (first and last), email address, phone number, password, role (facilitator or resident), and the name of your sober living home or house. |
| Recovery information | Your sobriety date, meeting check-ins and attendance, milestones, mood or wellness check-ins, notes, and tasks. |
| Schedule & calendar | Events you add manually or import by photographing a printed schedule. |
| Rent & payments | Rent amounts and due dates set by your facilitator, payment records (paid, partial, unpaid), and the payment handles (such as CashApp or Zelle) used to send or receive rent. |
| Communications | Messages you send within the App, community posts, and messages you send to us for support. |
| Crisis (SOS) events | When you tap the SOS button, an alert is sent to your facilitator indicating you need help. |
| Photos | Photos you choose to take or upload, such as a schedule you want imported. |
Information collected automatically
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Location (precise) | Your device's location only at the moment you tap “I'm at a meeting”, used to record where and when you checked in. See Section 5. |
| Device & push | Device type, operating system, app version, and a push-notification token so we can deliver alerts and reminders. |
| Usage & diagnostics | Basic, non-advertising information about how the App is functioning, used to keep it reliable and secure. |
We do not use third-party advertising identifiers, and we do not track you across other companies' apps or websites.
3. How we use information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide and operate the App, including accounts, your house's join code, and resident-facilitator connections;
- Record meeting check-ins and show verified attendance to your facilitator;
- Track sobriety dates, milestones, schedules, and reminders;
- Manage rent amounts, due dates, and payment status, and to display them to you and your facilitator;
- Deliver SOS alerts and other notifications;
- Enable messaging and community features;
- Maintain the security, integrity, and reliability of the Services;
- Respond to your questions and provide support;
- Comply with our legal obligations and the requirements of the platforms we distribute through.
As a non-profit, a portion of membership contributions helps fund rent assistance for residents in early recovery. We do not use your personal information to make funding decisions without your involvement.
4. Device permissions
The App asks for the following permissions. Each is optional and used only for the stated purpose; you can change them at any time in your device settings:
- Location (while using the app): only to record a meeting check-in when you tap “I'm at a meeting.”
- Camera / Photos: only to take or select a photo of a schedule you want to import.
- Notifications: to send reminders, meeting alerts, and SOS notifications.
- Calendar: to add meetings and schedule events to your device calendar when you ask.
5. Location information
Location is one of the most sensitive things the App handles, so we keep it narrow:
- We collect precise location only at the moment you tap “I'm at a meeting.”
- We do not collect location in the background, and we do not continuously track your movements.
- The check-in location and address are shared only with your facilitator and the people in your home who are authorized to see your record, to verify meeting attendance.
- You can decline or revoke location permission at any time; the rest of the App will continue to work, though you will not be able to record a GPS-verified check-in.
6. Health information & HIPAA
Some information in the App — such as your participation in recovery, sobriety date, and meeting attendance — may constitute health information. Where Sober Living Companion handles protected health information (“PHI”) on behalf of a covered entity or its business associate, we act consistently with HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules, including:
- Limiting access to PHI to authorized users on a need-to-know basis (role-based access);
- Encrypting PHI in transit and at rest;
- Maintaining safeguards and, where required, entering into Business Associate Agreements (“BAAs”) with our service providers and with sober living organizations that use the Services.
If you are an organization that requires a BAA, contact us at info@empowernextproject.org.
7. Payment information
Rent payments are made through third-party payment services such as CashApp and Zelle. When you pay rent, you complete the transaction in those services, which have their own privacy policies. We store records about whether and how much rent was paid (paid, partial, or unpaid) and the payment handle used, but we do not collect or store your full bank account or card numbers. We are not a bank or money transmitter; payment processing is performed by those third parties.
8. How we share information
We share information only as described here. We do not sell your personal information.
- Within your sober living home: Residents' information (such as attendance, rent status, and SOS alerts) is shared with the facilitator(s) and authorized house managers connected to that home. Facilitators see only residents in their own home.
- Service providers: We use vetted vendors to host data, send notifications, and operate the Services (see Section 9). They may process information only on our instructions and are bound by confidentiality and, where applicable, BAAs.
- Legal & safety: We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of a user, the public, or us — for example, in response to a genuine emergency.
- Business transfers: If our non-profit program is transferred or merged, information may be transferred subject to this policy.
- With your direction: When you choose to send an invite, share a payment, or add an event to your calendar.
9. Third-party services
We rely on the following categories of third-party providers, each with its own privacy practices:
- Cloud hosting & database (to securely store your data);
- Push notification delivery (Apple Push Notification service and Google Firebase Cloud Messaging);
- Payment services (CashApp, Zelle);
- App distribution (Apple App Store, Google Play).
We do not integrate third-party advertising or cross-app tracking SDKs.
10. Data retention
We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Services, and afterwards only as long as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When data is no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it. You may request deletion at any time (see Section 12).
11. Your rights & choices
You can:
- Access and update your profile information within the App;
- Control permissions (location, camera, notifications, calendar) in your device settings;
- Opt out of notifications by turning them off on your device;
- Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
- Request correction or deletion of your information.
12. Account & data deletion
If you are a resident connected to a sober living home, some of your records may also be held by that home as part of their own recovery program; we will direct your request appropriately and coordinate deletion of the data we control.
13. How we protect information
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, including encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and role-based permissions. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information and to promptly address any issues. If we become aware of a breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and the appropriate authorities as required by law.
14. Children's privacy
The Services are intended for adults (18 and older) in sober living and recovery programs. They are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
15. U.S. state privacy rights
Depending on where you live (for example, California under the CCPA/CPRA), you may have additional rights, including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to access or delete it, the right to correct it, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. We do not sell or “share” personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 17. We will not deny you services, charge different prices, or provide a different quality of service because you exercised your rights.
16. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the App or by email. Your continued use of the Services after an update means you accept the revised policy.
17. Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your information, contact us:
- Empower Next Project — Sober Living Companion
- EIN: 39-3580172
- 1501 Bartlett Lane, #5106, Sacramento, CA 95815
- Phone: (213) 321-6518
- Email: info@empowernextproject.org