Privacy Policy - Pollen Count UK

Last updated: 16 July 2024

Introduction

Pollen Count UK ("we", "our", or "us") is dedicated to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This privacy policy outlines our practices concerning the collection, use, and safeguarding of data when you use our mobile application and website (collectively referred to as "Services"). By using our Services, you agree to the terms described in this policy.

Information We Collect

To improve our Services and enhance user experience, we collect limited data through basic analytics. This may include:

• App usage statistics: Information about how you interact with our app, such as features used and time spent on various screens.
• Device information: Technical details about your device, including model, operating system version, and unique device identifiers.
• Crash reports: Data related to app crashes or errors to help us identify and resolve issues.
• Performance metrics: Information about app performance on your device to help us optimise the user experience.

We do not collect any personal information that directly identifies you, such as your name, email address, or phone number.

Location Data

Our app requires access to your device's location to provide accurate pollen forecasts. Here's how we handle location data:

• All location processing occurs on your device.
• We do not store your precise location on our servers.
• Your location may be temporarily used for geocoding (converting coordinates to place names) or reverse geocoding (converting place names to coordinates).
• Any location data used for geocoding is immediately deleted after use and is not retained.
• You can revoke location permissions at any time through your device settings, though this may limit some app functionalities.

How We Use Your Information

The data we collect is used solely for the following purposes:

• To improve the performance and reliability of our app.
• To understand how users interact with our Services, allowing us to enhance the user experience.
• To identify and fix technical issues or bugs.
• To make data-driven decisions about future features and improvements.

We do not use your data for marketing purposes or to build individual user profiles.

Data Sharing

We are committed to maintaining your privacy and do not engage in the following practices:

• We do not sell your personal data to third parties.
• We do not share your data with advertisers or marketing companies.
• We do not transfer your data to other organisations for commercial purposes.

In rare circumstances, we may be required to disclose information in response to valid requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.

Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously and implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using industry-standard protocols.
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Strict access controls and authentication procedures for our systems.
• Employee training on data protection and privacy best practices.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your data, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Your Rights

Under data protection laws, you have rights regarding your personal data. These include:

• The right to access the data we hold about you.
• The right to rectify any inaccurate data.
• The right to erasure (also known as the 'right to be forgotten').
• The right to restrict processing of your data.
• The right to data portability.
• The right to object to processing of your data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided at the end of this policy.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any changes. The date of the latest revision will be indicated at the top of the policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our data practices, please don't hesitate to contact us at:

Email: privacy@pollencount.org