Loch Assist Application Privacy Policy

This privacy policy governs your use of the software application Loch Assist for mobile devices that was created by Ian Mckenzie. The Application is a Navigational aid for the waters of Loch Lomond and a social hub for all users of the app.

User Provided Information

Loch Assist obtains the information you provide when you download and register the application. Registration with us is optional. However, please keep in mind that you may not be able to use some of the features offered by the Application unless you register with us. We may email you or notify you via the app to inform you of promotions and offers relating to Loch Assist, this will happen rarely but if you would prefer not to receive such messages, please inform us at time of sign up or by contacting Loch Assist at lochassist@gmail.com.

When you register with us and use the Application, you generally provide:

• A unique username of your choice (certain guidelines apply)
• A valid email address which will be validated before you first sign in.
• A password that you use to access your Loch Assist membership features
• Your first name and surname
• Vessel name (optional)
• Contact telephone number (only required for users requesting help)

Automatically Collected Information 

In addition, the Application may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device you use, your mobile devices unique device ID, the IP address of your mobile device, your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browsers you use, and information about the way you use the Application. 

Real Time Location Data Privacy

When using this application and enabling location permissions Loch Assist will use your devices 
last known location regularly to establish an approximate 'current location' using GPS technology or similar. If you do not want us to use your location for the purposes below, you should turn off the location services for the mobile application located in your mobile phone settings and/or within the mobile application. Please note that Loch Assist relies on your last known location due to the fact that Loch Assist’s main purpose is to show your position in relation to our map data and therefor the app will fail to operate with location services disabled. 
 
To create a better user experience, we will use your devices last known location in the following ways: 
 
Offline mode or not signed in: 
Display your current location to you and to monitor your position in relation to our map data. 
 
Online mode and signed in: 
1. Display your current location to you and to monitor your position in relation to our map data. 
 
2. Upload your 'current location' to our database and anonymously share your location with other users 
by displaying a marker on the map to notify users of another user's presence. Your position is only shared if your 'current location' is within the loch perimeter (The loch perimeter has been created by Loch Assist 
and may not reflect the true loch perimeter, this perimeter is made visible to you on the map). Location sharing can be disabled in the app’s settings, its default state is set to enabled. 
 
3. When requesting assistance from other users on the loch, we will share your last known location with other users who have volunteered to offer assistance, these users will be able to 
see your last known location (current location) on the map until you close your assistance request even if you're out with the loch perimeter. 
 
4. When you share your current location via the 'share' function of this app all users selected by you will have the ability to store this location as a point of interest. Please be aware that this function is not limited to the loch perimeter, therefor please only use this function if you want the selected users to see your current location.

Messaging Data Privacy

Loch Assist has 2 main methods of communicating with other users, how we use your data is explained here.

 
Private messenger/Group chat: 
Your messages and images can only be seen by the users they were intended for. If communicating via a group chat then all members of that group chat will have access to the information you submit, a list of group chat members can be obtained in the group chat settings.

 
Public post/Newsfeed : 
All data submitted by you will be visible to all other users of Loch Assist. We may also display uploaded images in this app's main menu slideshow. If you do not want your data displayed in this way then please tell us at lochassist@gmail.com. Public posts are continuously monitored by our group of admins who can remove public posts at their own discretion. If you feel your post should not have been removed then please provide an explanation to lochassist@gmail.com 
None of your uploaded or personal data is shared with any third parties. Your data will however be retained on our database for a limited duration for any investigation on misuse of this app, this helps protect our users and provides a safe and secure environment to connect with other users. 
 
Presence and 'On the loch' sharing: 
Presence sharing, also known as 'last online' is shared with other users in your friends list. This information is only shared with other friends who have also enabled presence sharing. This info can be seen in the instant messenger feature of the app and also in your friends list. 
Presence is triggered when a user has a data connection and is navigating the app. 
'On the loch' sharing is a feature that enables you to see when your friends were last on the loch (Loch Lomond) this info can be seen in your friends list only. Both features are enabled by default and can be disabled in your account settings.

Do third parties see and/or have access to information obtained by the Application?

Yes. We will share your information with third parties only in the ways that are described in this privacy statement.

We may disclose user provided and automatically collected Information:

• as required by law, such as to comply with a legal process;
• when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request;
• with our trusted services providers who work on our behalf, who do not have an independent use of the information we disclose to them, and have agreed to adhere to the rules set forth in this privacy statement.
• if Loch Assist is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of its assets, you will be notified via email and/or a prominent notice on our Web site of any change in ownership or uses of this information, as well as any choices you may have regarding this information.

What are my opt-out rights?

You can stop all collection of information by the Application easily by uninstalling the Application. You may use the standard uninstall processes as may be available as part of your mobile device or via the mobile application marketplace or network. You can also request to opt-out via email, at lochassist@gmail.com.

Children

We do not use the Application to knowingly solicit data from or market to children under the age of 13. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that his or her child has provided us with information without their consent, he or she should contact us at lochassist@gmail.com. We will delete such information from our files within a reasonable time.

Security

We are concerned about safeguarding the confidentiality of your information. We provide physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect information we process and maintain. For example, we limit access to this information to authorized employees and contractors who need to know that information in order tooperate, develop or improve our application. Please be aware that, although we provide reasonable security for information we process and maintain, no security system can prevent all potential security breaches.

Your Consent

By using the Application, you are consenting to our processing of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy now and as amended by us. "Processing,” means using cookies on a computer/hand held device or using or touching information in any way, including, but not limited to, collecting, storing, deleting, using, combining and disclosing information, all of which activities will take place in the United Kingdom. If you reside outside the United Kingdom your information will be transferred, processed and stored there under United Kingdom privacy standards.

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding privacy while using the application, or have questions about our practices, please contact us via email at lochassist@gmail.com.