Privacy Policy
LEWO is a private messenger for chats, group chats, channels, voice and video calls, and media sharing. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when it is shared, and the choices you have. Please read it carefully.
1. Information we collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us, information generated as you use LEWO, and limited information from your device. We aim to collect only what is needed to run a private, reliable messenger.
Information you provide
| Account information | Your phone number, and any name and email you choose to add when you register. |
| Profile information | Your display name, profile photo, and bio. |
| Messages, calls & media | The content of your 1:1 chats, group chats, channels, voice and video calls, and the photos, videos, audio, and files you send. This content is end-to-end encrypted — see Section 5. We cannot read it. |
| Support & reports | Information you send when you contact support or submit a report (for example, an in-app report about abuse or unsafe content). |
Information generated through use
| App usage | Basic usage and diagnostic information — such as which features you use, app crashes, performance data, and connection quality — used to operate, secure, and improve LEWO. |
| Delivery metadata | Limited routing information (such as timestamps and recipient identifiers) needed to deliver your encrypted messages and calls. We do not have access to their content. |
| Device information | Device model, operating system version, app version, and language setting. |
| Approximate region | A coarse, approximate region and language inferred from device settings or network — not your precise location, unless you explicitly enable a location feature. |
We only access your contacts, photos, microphone, camera, and precise location when you grant permission, and we use them solely for the features you enable (such as finding contacts who are on LEWO, attaching media, or making calls). See Section 3 for details on each permission.
2. How we use your information
We use the information we collect to:
| Provide the service | Create and secure your account, deliver your messages and calls, and operate group chats and channels. |
| Maintain & improve | Diagnose problems, prevent abuse and spam, improve reliability and performance, and develop new features. |
| Communicate with you | Send technical notices, security alerts, and support messages, and respond to your questions. |
| Keep LEWO free with ads | Show advertisements using limited non-content data. We never use the content of your messages, calls, or media for advertising. See Section 4. |
| Safety & legal | Protect the rights, safety, and security of our users and the public, enforce our Terms, and comply with the law. |
3. Information sharing & permissions
We may share information in the following limited situations:
| With other users | When you message or call someone, or post in a group or channel, the relevant information (such as your profile name and the encrypted content) reaches the people you communicate with. |
| With service providers | Trusted partners who help us operate LEWO — for example, cloud hosting and message delivery infrastructure — under contracts that limit how they may use the data. |
| For advertising | We serve ads ourselves and do not share your personal data with third-party advertising networks, nor do we use the device advertising identifier. See Section 4. |
| For legal reasons | When required by valid legal process, or to protect rights, safety, and security. Because conversation content is end-to-end encrypted, we cannot produce the content of your messages or calls. |
| With your consent | In other cases where you have given us permission. |
Permissions we request
| Contacts | Only to help you find contacts already on LEWO and invite those who are not. We do not sell your contacts. |
| Photos & camera | Only when you choose to set a profile photo or attach images or video to a chat. We access only the specific media you select. |
| Microphone | Only when you record an audio message or make a voice or video call. We do not record in the background, and calls are end-to-end encrypted. |
| Notifications | To alert you to new messages, calls, and important updates. Control these in your device settings. |
| Location | Only used if you explicitly enable a feature that needs it (for example, sharing your location in a chat). Precise location is not collected otherwise. |
| Bluetooth | To route call audio to headsets or car audio. Not used for tracking. |
4. Advertising
LEWO is free, and we keep it free by showing ads. We want to be precise about exactly what this means for your privacy.
What data may be used for ads
Ads on LEWO are served by us, from our own systems. To show them, we use only limited non-content information, including:
| Device information | Device type, operating system, and app version. |
| App usage | General, non-content signals about how you use LEWO (such as ad views and interactions). |
| Approximate region & language | A coarse region and language preference — not your precise location. |
We do not use your device's advertising identifier (the Android Advertising ID or Apple IDFA), we do not track you across other apps or websites, and we do not share your personal data with third-party advertising networks. The content of your messages, calls, and media is never used to select or measure ads.
Ad personalization & your choices
Because LEWO does not use a cross-app advertising identifier and does not track you across other apps or websites, there is no third-party advertising profile built from your activity. Ads are based only on the limited non-content signals listed above. You can manage app permissions (such as location) at any time in your device settings, and the content of your end-to-end-encrypted conversations always remains off-limits to advertising.
5. Data security & end-to-end encryption
LEWO uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Signal Protocol — the same standard used by Signal and WhatsApp.
What is encrypted
| Private messages | 1:1 chats. |
| Group chats & channels | Messages and media shared with groups and channels. |
| Voice & video calls | Call audio and video. |
| Shared media | Photos, videos, audio, and files you send. |
How it works
Your content is encrypted on your device before it leaves, and only the intended recipients can decrypt it. LEWO's servers only ever handle encrypted data. Encryption keys are stored securely on your device — using the Secure Enclave / Keychain on iOS and the hardware-backed Keystore on Android. For full technical details, see our developer page and the End-to-End Encryption section in the app's settings.
6. Your rights & account management
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
| Access | Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. |
| Correct | Update inaccurate profile or account information directly in the app. |
| Delete | Delete your account and associated data at any time from the app's settings. |
| Export | Request a portable copy of your data. |
| Limit ads | Opt out of personalized advertising — see Section 4. |
| Withdraw permissions | Turn off contacts, camera, microphone, notifications, or location at any time in your device settings. |
| Complain | Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. |
Account deletion. You can delete your account at any time from Settings. When you do, we delete your profile and account information and other data tied to your account, subject to limited legal retention requirements. Because conversation content is end-to-end encrypted and stored on devices, deleting your account does not erase messages already received and stored on other participants' devices.
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@lewohq.com. We will respond within the time required by applicable law, and in any case within 30 days.
7. Child safety & CSAE
LEWO has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE), including child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and any attempt to groom, solicit, or endanger a minor. This conduct is strictly prohibited on LEWO.
| Reporting in-app | Anyone can report a user, message, group, or channel directly in the app. Reports are reviewed promptly. |
| Enforcement | We remove offenders, disable accounts, and preserve relevant non-content information as permitted by law. |
| Reporting to authorities | We report apparent child sexual abuse material to the appropriate authorities, including the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and cooperate with law enforcement. |
For our full standards and reporting channels, see our Child Safety Standards, or contact our dedicated team at childsafety@lewohq.com.
8. Children's privacy
LEWO is not intended for children under 13, and you must be at least 13 years old to use it. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@lewohq.com so we can remove it.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy on this page and revising the "Last updated" date above, and where appropriate through an in-app notice. Please review this policy periodically.
10. Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, contact us:
| Privacy | privacy@lewohq.com |
| Support | support@lewohq.com |
| Security | security@lewohq.com |
| Child safety | childsafety@lewohq.com |
You can also reach us through our contact page. See also our Terms of Service.