Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Urban Scout. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following personal information:

• Name and email address when you create an account
• Profile information you choose to provide
• Payment information for premium subscriptions
• Communication preferences and settings

2.2 Usage Data

We automatically collect certain information when you use our app:

• Location data (with your permission) to provide city-specific content
• App usage patterns and preferences
• Device information and identifiers
• Audio guide listening history and preferences

2.3 GPS and Image Data for Treasure Hunt Features

Urban Scout includes treasure hunt gameplay that requires GPS coordinate extraction from images. Specifically, we collect:

• GPS coordinates from image EXIF data: When you take photos or select images from your device gallery during treasure hunt activities, we extract embedded GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) from the image metadata to verify location-based challenges
• Image metadata: We access EXIF data including timestamp, camera settings, and location information embedded in photos you capture or select
• Coordinate verification data: GPS coordinates are processed to validate treasure hunt discoveries, calculate distances to points of interest, and provide location-based scoring
• Treasure hunt progress: Location data from successful discoveries to track your exploration progress and unlock new challenges

Android Permissions Required:

• READ_MEDIA_IMAGES: Allows access to image metadata including GPS coordinates embedded in photos
• CAMERA: Enables photo capture for treasure hunt documentation
• ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION: Provides precise location data for treasure hunt validation

Important Note:

The treasure hunt features require GPS-enabled photos to function properly. Images without embedded GPS coordinates may limit your ability to complete location-based challenges. We only extract coordinates from images you actively choose to share within the app for treasure hunt purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and improve our city guide services
• Personalize your urban exploration experience
• Process payments for premium subscriptions
• Send you relevant updates and promotional offers
• Analyze app usage to enhance our features
• Provide customer support
• Enable treasure hunt gameplay: GPS coordinates extracted from images are used to verify location-based discoveries, validate challenge completions, calculate distances to points of interest, and determine treasure hunt scoring
• Enhance location-based features: Coordinate data helps provide accurate proximity notifications, location-specific content, and personalized exploration recommendations
• Ensure fair gameplay: Location verification prevents cheating and ensures authentic treasure hunt experiences

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

• Service providers who help us operate our app
• Payment processors for subscription management
• Analytics providers to improve our services
• Legal authorities when required by law

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete your account and data
• Opt-out of marketing communications
• Control location data sharing
• Control GPS data extraction: You can choose which images to share for treasure hunt activities and can disable location services at any time in your device settings
• View extracted coordinates: You can see what GPS coordinates have been extracted from your images within the app
• Delete location data: You can request deletion of GPS coordinates and location history associated with your treasure hunt activities

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services or as required by law. You can request deletion of your account and data at any time.

7.1 GPS and Treasure Hunt Data Retention

• GPS coordinates: Extracted coordinates are retained for the duration of your account to maintain treasure hunt progress and scoring history
• Location verification data: Challenge completion records including location data are stored to prevent duplicate scoring and maintain fair gameplay
• Image metadata: We do not store the actual images you select, only the extracted GPS coordinates and relevant metadata for gameplay purposes
• Deletion: All GPS and location data is permanently deleted when you delete your account or upon specific request

8. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes through the app or by email.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@urban-scout.app
• Website: urban-scout.app