Diving Buddy Privacy Policy
Last updated October 28, 2024
This Privacy Notice for Diving Buddy Corporation ("we," "us," or "our") explains how and why we collect, store, use, and share ("process") your information when you use our services ("Services"). This includes when you:
ㆍ Download and use our mobile application, Diving Buddy, or any other application or website that links to this Privacy Policy.
ㆍ Engage with us through related activities, such as sales, marketing, or events.
If you have questions or concerns, reading this Privacy Policy will help you understand your rights and choices regarding your information. If you disagree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. You can contact us at contact@divingbuddy.io with any questions.
Summary of Key Points
This summary highlights important details of our Privacy Policy. For more in-depth information on any topic, refer to the sections below or use our Table of Contents.
What personal information do we collect?
We collect information you provide directly and data collected automatically, such as profile details, device information, and location (with your consent). Learn more in What Information Do We Collect?
How do we use your information?
We use your information to operate, maintain, and improve our Services, communicate with you, and ensure safety. Details can be found in How Do We Use Your Information?
Do we share your information?
We may share data with service providers and partners in specific situations, as described in When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information?
What are your privacy rights?
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights over your personal data, such as access, correction, or deletion. See Your Privacy Rights for details.
How do you exercise your rights?
To exercise any rights related to your personal data, contact us via contact@divingbuddy.io.
For full details on each topic, please review the Privacy Policy below.
Table of Contents
1. What Information Do We Collect?
2. How Do We Use Your Information?
3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal
4. When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information?
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
6. Social Media Logins and Sign in with Apple
7. Data Retention
8. Children’s Privacy
9. Your Privacy Rights
10. Do-Not-Track Features
11. Updates to This Privacy Policy
12. How to Contact Us
1. What Information Do We Collect?
We collect various types of information to provide and improve our Services, including:
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
ㆍ Personal Information: When you create a profile, we collect details such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you choose to include in your profile, such as dive certifications, dive experience, and bio. ㆍVerification Information: To ensure a secure environment, we may collect profile photos and dive certification details for verification purposes.
ㆍPayment Information: When making purchases through the app, payment details are securely processed via our payment partner (e.g., PayPal). Diving Buddy does not store your payment information directly.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
ㆍ Personal Information: When you create a profile, we collect details such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you choose to include in your profile, such as dive certifications, dive experience, and bio. ㆍVerification Information: To ensure a secure environment, we may collect profile photos and dive certification details for verification purposes.
1.3 Information from Social Media Logins (if applicable)
If you choose to register or log in using a third-party social media account, we may collect basic information shared by that platform, such as profile name, profile photo, and any other information you’ve made public on that platform. This is subject to the social media provider’s privacy policy.
2. How Do We Use Your Information?
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
2.1 To Provide and Improve the Services
ㆍ Enable account creation, user authentication, and manage profiles.
ㆍ Facilitate connections between users based on preferences, location, and other criteria.
2.2 For Communication ㆍ Respond to inquiries and support requests.
ㆍ Send notifications regarding account activity, updates, and new features.
ㆍ Share relevant marketing or promotional information if you’ve opted in (you may opt out at any time).
2.3 For Security and Compliance
ㆍ Verify user identities to ensure a safe and trustworthy platform.
ㆍ Monitor usage and activity to prevent fraud, misuse, and other harmful activity.
ㆍ Comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our Terms of Use.
2.4 For Personalization and Enhancement
ㆍ Provide location-based features, such as nearby events or diving activities, if location access is granted.
ㆍ Analyze usage trends to improve our Services, add new features, and optimize the user experience.
3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Information
Depending on your location, we process your personal information under different legal bases, as required by applicable law:
3.1 Consent
We rely on your consent to process certain types of information, such as location data or for marketing communications. You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences or contacting us.
3.2 Performance of a Contract
Processing your data is often necessary to fulfill our obligations under our Terms of Use, such as enabling you to connect with other users, create a profile, and use the Services effectively.
3.3 Legitimate Interests
We may process your data when necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as to improve our Services, ensure security, and communicate updates that enhance your experience. We balance these interests carefully with your privacy rights.
3.4 Legal Obligations
In some cases, we may process your data to comply with legal obligations, such as regulatory requirements, fraud prevention, or responding to lawful requests from authorities.
4. When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information? We share your information only as needed and with trusted third parties to operate, provide, and enhance our Services:
4.1 Service Providers
We may share information with third-party service providers who assist with app functionality, such as payment processing (e.g., PayPal), data storage, customer support, and marketing. These providers are bound by agreements to protect your information and use it solely on our behalf.
4.2 Legal and Compliance Requirements
We may disclose your information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests. This includes sharing information to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users and others.
4.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of company assets, your information may be shared or transferred as part of the transaction. We will notify you of any such transfer and any new policies that may apply.
4.4 With Other Users
Certain information, such as your profile name, photo, diving certifications, and shared posts, may be visible to other users to facilitate connections and trust within the community. You control the information that is public on your profile.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyze usage.
5.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you use our Services. They help us understand your usage patterns, preferences, and allow us to optimize our features.
5.2 Types of Cookies We Use
ㆍ Essential Cookies: Required for the core functionality of the app, such as remembering your preferences and ensuring secure login.
ㆍ Analytical Cookies: Help us analyze user behavior, allowing us to improve app performance and user experience.
5.3 Managing Cookies
You can control or disable cookies in your device or browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features within the app.
5.4 Other Tracking Technologies We may use similar technologies, such as pixel tags or web beacons, to gather analytics data and improve our Services.
6. Social Media Logins
Our Services may allow you to register or log in using an existing social media account, such as Facebook or Google, as well as Sign in with Apple.
6. Social Media Logins and Sign in with Apple
Our Services may allow you to register or log in using an existing social media account, such as Facebook or Google, as well as Sign in with Apple.
6.1 Information Collected from Social Media and Sign in with Apple
If you choose to log in via a social media account or Sign in with Apple, we may receive certain information you’ve shared with that platform, including:
ㆍ Social Media: Information such as your profile name, email address, profile photo, and other details you’ve made public on the platform.
ㆍ Sign in with Apple: Depending on your settings, we may receive your name and email address. If you choose to hide your email, Apple will provide us with an anonymized email address instead.
This information simplifies the registration process and enhances your experience within the app.
6.2 Use of Social Media and Sign in with Apple Information
We use the information obtained from these platforms solely to create and manage your Diving Buddy account, personalize your profile, and facilitate connections within the app. 6.3 Your Control Over Social Media and Sign in with Apple Data
If you prefer not to share this information, you can register directly using an email and password through Diving Buddy, without linking a social media account or using Sign in with Apple.
7. Data Retention
We retain your information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
7.1 Retention of Account and Profile Data
We retain your account and profile information for as long as you maintain an active account. If you choose to delete your account, we will deactivate or delete your data within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
7.2 Retention for Legal Compliance and Security
We may retain certain information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and ensure the security of our Services.
7.3 Anonymized or Aggregated Data
For analytical and business improvement purposes, we may retain anonymized or aggregated data that does not directly identify you. This helps us analyze trends, improve the app, and support our business strategy.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or process information from children under the age of 18. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a user under 18 without verified parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.
If you become aware of any data we may have collected from children under age 18, please contact us at contact@divingbuddy.io.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable privacy laws, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. These rights may include:
9.1 Access and Correction
ㆍ Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
ㆍ Correction: If you believe that any of your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request that we correct it.
9.2 Deletion
You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (such as our legal obligations or legitimate business needs).
9.3 Withdrawal of Consent
If we process your information based on consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Note that withdrawing consent does not affect the legality of processing before the withdrawal.
9.4 Objection to Processing
You may object to our processing of your personal information, particularly in cases where processing is based on legitimate interests. We will evaluate your request and comply where required by law.
9.5 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contact@divingbuddy.io. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws.
10. Do-Not-Track Features
Some web browsers and devices include a Do-Not-Track ("DNT") feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. At this time, our Services do not respond to DNT signals because there is currently no industry standard for recognizing and responding to these signals.
If standards for DNT are established in the future, we will review and update our policy accordingly.
11. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you by posting a prominent notice within the app or by sending you an email.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
12. How to Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
ㆍ Email: contact@divingbuddy.io
ㆍ Mail: Diving Buddy Corporation, 3003 North 1st Street, Suite #312, San Jose, CA 95134, United States
We are here to assist you and address any inquiries related to your privacy rights.
ㆍ Download and use our mobile application, Diving Buddy, or any other application or website that links to this Privacy Policy.
ㆍ Engage with us through related activities, such as sales, marketing, or events.
If you have questions or concerns, reading this Privacy Policy will help you understand your rights and choices regarding your information. If you disagree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. You can contact us at contact@divingbuddy.io with any questions.
Summary of Key Points
This summary highlights important details of our Privacy Policy. For more in-depth information on any topic, refer to the sections below or use our Table of Contents.
What personal information do we collect?
We collect information you provide directly and data collected automatically, such as profile details, device information, and location (with your consent). Learn more in What Information Do We Collect?
How do we use your information?
We use your information to operate, maintain, and improve our Services, communicate with you, and ensure safety. Details can be found in How Do We Use Your Information?
Do we share your information?
We may share data with service providers and partners in specific situations, as described in When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information?
What are your privacy rights?
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights over your personal data, such as access, correction, or deletion. See Your Privacy Rights for details.
How do you exercise your rights?
To exercise any rights related to your personal data, contact us via contact@divingbuddy.io.
For full details on each topic, please review the Privacy Policy below.
Table of Contents
1. What Information Do We Collect?
2. How Do We Use Your Information?
3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal
4. When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information?
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
6. Social Media Logins and Sign in with Apple
7. Data Retention
8. Children’s Privacy
9. Your Privacy Rights
10. Do-Not-Track Features
11. Updates to This Privacy Policy
12. How to Contact Us
1. What Information Do We Collect?
We collect various types of information to provide and improve our Services, including:
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
ㆍ Personal Information: When you create a profile, we collect details such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you choose to include in your profile, such as dive certifications, dive experience, and bio. ㆍVerification Information: To ensure a secure environment, we may collect profile photos and dive certification details for verification purposes.
ㆍPayment Information: When making purchases through the app, payment details are securely processed via our payment partner (e.g., PayPal). Diving Buddy does not store your payment information directly.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
ㆍ Personal Information: When you create a profile, we collect details such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you choose to include in your profile, such as dive certifications, dive experience, and bio. ㆍVerification Information: To ensure a secure environment, we may collect profile photos and dive certification details for verification purposes.
1.3 Information from Social Media Logins (if applicable)
If you choose to register or log in using a third-party social media account, we may collect basic information shared by that platform, such as profile name, profile photo, and any other information you’ve made public on that platform. This is subject to the social media provider’s privacy policy.
2. How Do We Use Your Information?
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
2.1 To Provide and Improve the Services
ㆍ Enable account creation, user authentication, and manage profiles.
ㆍ Facilitate connections between users based on preferences, location, and other criteria.
2.2 For Communication ㆍ Respond to inquiries and support requests.
ㆍ Send notifications regarding account activity, updates, and new features.
ㆍ Share relevant marketing or promotional information if you’ve opted in (you may opt out at any time).
2.3 For Security and Compliance
ㆍ Verify user identities to ensure a safe and trustworthy platform.
ㆍ Monitor usage and activity to prevent fraud, misuse, and other harmful activity.
ㆍ Comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our Terms of Use.
2.4 For Personalization and Enhancement
ㆍ Provide location-based features, such as nearby events or diving activities, if location access is granted.
ㆍ Analyze usage trends to improve our Services, add new features, and optimize the user experience.
3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Information
Depending on your location, we process your personal information under different legal bases, as required by applicable law:
3.1 Consent
We rely on your consent to process certain types of information, such as location data or for marketing communications. You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences or contacting us.
3.2 Performance of a Contract
Processing your data is often necessary to fulfill our obligations under our Terms of Use, such as enabling you to connect with other users, create a profile, and use the Services effectively.
3.3 Legitimate Interests
We may process your data when necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as to improve our Services, ensure security, and communicate updates that enhance your experience. We balance these interests carefully with your privacy rights.
3.4 Legal Obligations
In some cases, we may process your data to comply with legal obligations, such as regulatory requirements, fraud prevention, or responding to lawful requests from authorities.
4. When and With Whom Do We Share Your Information? We share your information only as needed and with trusted third parties to operate, provide, and enhance our Services:
4.1 Service Providers
We may share information with third-party service providers who assist with app functionality, such as payment processing (e.g., PayPal), data storage, customer support, and marketing. These providers are bound by agreements to protect your information and use it solely on our behalf.
4.2 Legal and Compliance Requirements
We may disclose your information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests. This includes sharing information to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users and others.
4.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of company assets, your information may be shared or transferred as part of the transaction. We will notify you of any such transfer and any new policies that may apply.
4.4 With Other Users
Certain information, such as your profile name, photo, diving certifications, and shared posts, may be visible to other users to facilitate connections and trust within the community. You control the information that is public on your profile.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyze usage.
5.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you use our Services. They help us understand your usage patterns, preferences, and allow us to optimize our features.
5.2 Types of Cookies We Use
ㆍ Essential Cookies: Required for the core functionality of the app, such as remembering your preferences and ensuring secure login.
ㆍ Analytical Cookies: Help us analyze user behavior, allowing us to improve app performance and user experience.
5.3 Managing Cookies
You can control or disable cookies in your device or browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features within the app.
5.4 Other Tracking Technologies We may use similar technologies, such as pixel tags or web beacons, to gather analytics data and improve our Services.
6. Social Media Logins
Our Services may allow you to register or log in using an existing social media account, such as Facebook or Google, as well as Sign in with Apple.
6. Social Media Logins and Sign in with Apple
Our Services may allow you to register or log in using an existing social media account, such as Facebook or Google, as well as Sign in with Apple.
6.1 Information Collected from Social Media and Sign in with Apple
If you choose to log in via a social media account or Sign in with Apple, we may receive certain information you’ve shared with that platform, including:
ㆍ Social Media: Information such as your profile name, email address, profile photo, and other details you’ve made public on the platform.
ㆍ Sign in with Apple: Depending on your settings, we may receive your name and email address. If you choose to hide your email, Apple will provide us with an anonymized email address instead.
This information simplifies the registration process and enhances your experience within the app.
6.2 Use of Social Media and Sign in with Apple Information
We use the information obtained from these platforms solely to create and manage your Diving Buddy account, personalize your profile, and facilitate connections within the app. 6.3 Your Control Over Social Media and Sign in with Apple Data
If you prefer not to share this information, you can register directly using an email and password through Diving Buddy, without linking a social media account or using Sign in with Apple.
7. Data Retention
We retain your information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
7.1 Retention of Account and Profile Data
We retain your account and profile information for as long as you maintain an active account. If you choose to delete your account, we will deactivate or delete your data within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
7.2 Retention for Legal Compliance and Security
We may retain certain information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and ensure the security of our Services.
7.3 Anonymized or Aggregated Data
For analytical and business improvement purposes, we may retain anonymized or aggregated data that does not directly identify you. This helps us analyze trends, improve the app, and support our business strategy.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or process information from children under the age of 18. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a user under 18 without verified parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.
If you become aware of any data we may have collected from children under age 18, please contact us at contact@divingbuddy.io.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable privacy laws, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. These rights may include:
9.1 Access and Correction
ㆍ Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
ㆍ Correction: If you believe that any of your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request that we correct it.
9.2 Deletion
You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (such as our legal obligations or legitimate business needs).
9.3 Withdrawal of Consent
If we process your information based on consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Note that withdrawing consent does not affect the legality of processing before the withdrawal.
9.4 Objection to Processing
You may object to our processing of your personal information, particularly in cases where processing is based on legitimate interests. We will evaluate your request and comply where required by law.
9.5 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contact@divingbuddy.io. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws.
10. Do-Not-Track Features
Some web browsers and devices include a Do-Not-Track ("DNT") feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. At this time, our Services do not respond to DNT signals because there is currently no industry standard for recognizing and responding to these signals.
If standards for DNT are established in the future, we will review and update our policy accordingly.
11. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you by posting a prominent notice within the app or by sending you an email.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
12. How to Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
ㆍ Email: contact@divingbuddy.io
ㆍ Mail: Diving Buddy Corporation, 3003 North 1st Street, Suite #312, San Jose, CA 95134, United States
We are here to assist you and address any inquiries related to your privacy rights.