Q: Is friendyouneed a therapy service?
Ans : No. friendyouneed is not a therapy platform. Our listeners are trained in active listening and empathy — they are not licensed as psychologists, therapists, or psychiatrists. If you need clinical care, we strongly encourage you to see a qualified mental health professional.
Q: Who are the listeners?
Ans : Our listeners are real, verified humans — not bots or AI. They are trained in active listening, empathetic engagement, and emotional support. They are here to hold space for you, not to diagnose, prescribe, or push opinions.
Q: Do I need to use my real name?
Ans : No. A nickname is all you need as your display name — your real name is never required or stored. You will need to verify your email address (and a mobile number if you are based in India). No other personal details are collected.
Q: How does booking work?
Ans : You book a session through Scheduled Booking — browse available listener slots and confirm a time that works for you. All sessions are audio-only and all communication happens securely inside the app.
Q: Will I be able to see the listener's phone number?
Ans : No. Phone numbers are never shared between users and listeners at any point. All sessions are conducted through our secure, closed in-app audio system. Your number stays private. Always.
Q: Why is the minimum age 18?
Ans : Under India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023, processing the personal data of anyone under 18 requires verifiable parental consent — a self-declaration alone is not sufficient. Since friendyouneed does not currently have a parental consent verification system, we are required to set the minimum age at 18. This also ensures consistency with the most protective legal standard across our global user base.
Q: Is an immediate session available?
Ans : Not currently. We are not offering immediate sessions at this time. If you have an urgent need, you can send a message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. For emergencies, please contact your local emergency services or a licensed crisis helpline immediately.
Q: Is my session private?
Ans : Yes, completely. Sessions are 100% confidential. Audio is not stored, and your data is never sold to or shared with third parties. The only exception is a credible, immediate risk to life, as required by law.
Q: What happens in a session?
Ans : You connect with a listener over a secure audio call. They listen. You talk. There are no forms, no clinical notes, no agenda. It is a private conversation — warm, unhurried, and without judgment.
Q: Will my listener give me advice?
Ans : Our listeners are trained to listen, not direct. If you explicitly ask for input, they may offer general, practical perspectives — but they will never push opinions, make decisions for you, or provide clinical guidance.
Q: Can I stay anonymous?
Ans : Yes. Your display name is a nickname — your real name is never required or stored. We collect only your nickname, email address, and (for India users) mobile number. Your details remain private and are never shared.
Q: What if I am in a crisis or feel unsafe?
Ans : friendyouneed is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or in immediate danger — please contact your local emergency services or a licensed mental health crisis helpline immediately. We care deeply about your safety, which is why we are honest about what we can and cannot provide.
Q: How much does a session cost?
Ans : Sessions are priced at INR 500 for 30 minutes. Your first session is available at INR 100. Pricing for international users may vary; please check the platform for current rates in your region.
Q: Is this service available 24/7?
Ans : We aim for broad availability. Session slots are subject to listener availability. Our current focus is on working with experienced, reliable listeners who provide genuinely warm and thoughtful support — this means we are not strictly 24/7 at this stage. Check the platform for live slot availability.
Q: Can I choose my listener?
Ans : Not currently. To maintain anonymity for both users and listeners, listener details are not disclosed at this stage. We plan to introduce listener choice as our listener pool grows.
Q: What is the consent record you keep at registration?
Ans : When you complete the registration checklist, we store a timestamped record confirming that you read and agreed to our terms on a specific date. This record contains no personal content — just the fact that consent was given, when, and which version of our terms was in effect. This is a legal requirement and helps protect both you and KAPT Ventures.
Q: Do I need to share my context again on my next visit?
Ans : Yes. To protect your privacy, we do not store session content. You will need to provide context again at the start of each new session. This is a deliberate design choice to keep your information safe.
Q: Can I withdraw my consent and delete my account?
Ans : Yes, at any time. Email privacy@friendyouneed.com and request account deletion. We will deactivate your account and permanently delete all stored data (your nickname, email address, and mobile number if applicable) within 7 days. Since we do not store session content, there is nothing further to delete.
Q: Is friendyouneed available outside India?
Ans : Yes. friendyouneed is open to users worldwide. International users are not required to verify a mobile number — only an email address is required. Session pricing for international users may differ; please check the platform for details.
Q: What data does friendyouneed store about me?
Ans : We store only your nickname and verified email address. If you are based in India, we also store your verified mobile number. That is all. No session content, no audio, no booking history, no metadata is ever stored. You can request deletion of your account at any time by emailing privacy@friendyouneed.com — we will confirm within 7 days.
