Last modified: December 10, 2023
Welcome to Mapin ("Mapin").
We're excited to welcome you as a user on our location-based social network Mapin, where you can discover what's happening in the real world in real-time. Your privacy matters to us, and we believe in transparency when it comes to handling your data while using the services ("Services") provided by Mapin ("Mapin"). This includes being clear about what we collect, why we collect it, where the information goes, how long it's retained, your rights, and what actions you can request from us regarding your data. To ensure clarity, we've crafted this policy ("Privacy Policy") in the most straightforward and uncomplicated manner possible. Our aim is to make sure you understand how we handle your information.
Before diving into the exciting possibilities our Services offer, we encourage you to acquaint yourself with our Terms of Service. It's essential that you take a moment to read and comprehend these terms, ensuring a clear understanding.
1. Mapin data management:
Mapin takes on the role of being the "controller" of your data, as outlined in this Privacy Policy. When we refer to "your data," we mean any information that directly identifies you (like your profile photo, name, or email address) or indirectly (such as your username, location, or the technical data related to your device). Our company is based in Switzerland, located at Brandstrasse 21, 8952 Schlieren, Zurich. As a Swiss company, we adhere to GDPR regulations for all users, irrespective of their country of origin. This underscores our commitment to treating your privacy with the utmost seriousness, not just in words but in our actions.
Being the "controller" involves processing some of your data to enhance and deliver our Services. However, it's crucial to note that processing your data doesn't grant us unrestricted use. We diligently abide by established rules and have set additional standards ourselves. Given the diverse range of Services we offer, many of which rely on your data, we use it in accordance with this Policy and our Terms, ensuring transparency and respect for your privacy.
Data Controller:
In the realm of data management, the term "Data Controller" or simply "Controller" refers to a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or any other entity. Acting independently or in collaboration with others, the Controller is responsible for defining both the objectives and methods employed in the processing of Personal Data. This encompasses decisions related to the security measures implemented in the operation and use of the Application.
GDPR:
GDPR means Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation).
2. Types of Data collected:
Our data collection falls into three categories:
- Data you share directly with us
- Data generated through your interaction with our Services
- Data we collect from third-party sources
2.1 Data you share directly with us:
Account Information:
- When registering for our Services, you share details like your name, username and email address. These details are crucial for the functioning of our Services. To verify your account, we'll send you a verification code to your email address.
Profile Picture:
- You have the option to enhance your interaction by adding a profile picture. Changing your photo is simple – just visit Settings > Profile info in the app.
Location:
- For the optimal functionality of our evolving Services, we require access to your location on Mapin. You grant this access through your phone's permission settings. Our collection methods include GPS, wireless networks, cell towers, Wi-Fi access points, and various sensors. This diverse data sources ensure the people on Mapin get an accurate picture of your location - you only share your location each time you add a pin to the map. We understand, of course, that there may be times where you don’t want to share your location data. Your location is not published uncertainly and that is extremely important for us!
Interactions through Comments:
- Any data you share through our Services, such as comments is also provided by you. We retain communication metadata, including the time and date of correspondence.
Content (Pins - Photos and Videos):
- Pins including photos and videos that are taken through the in-app camera are also part of the data you provide.
Support:
- When contacting our support info@mapin.ch, you provide data such as the content of our communications, photos, government-issued identification copies, and identifiers like the method you used to contact us.
2.2 Data generated through your interaction with our Services:
Usage Data:
- Details about your pins (photos and videos), likes and comments on shared content, interactions with specific people belong to you and are deleted from our server after the pin is deleted (after 12 hours). We do not collect any data that you share on Mapin!
Location Data:
- To offer you exciting and relevant features, we collect location data and history. This data allows us to give you suggestions to enhance your experience continually. Our aim is to make your experience both useful and enjoyable.
Device Data:
- Various device-specific details are collected, including BSSIDs of Wi-Fi terminals, temporary SSIDs (Wi-Fi router addresses), headphone connection status, phone name, hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, phone language, wireless network names, IP addresses, and general mobile network data. This diverse set of information aids in ensuring your security, resolving bugs, and refining location accuracy, among other improvements. Rest assured, any collection is temporary and solely for statistical purposes.
2.3 Data we collect from third-party sources:
Data from Other Users:
- Information from fellow users, particularly in user-generated content, support requests, and user reports, may be received. This collaborative exchange of data helps build a richer and more engaging user experience.
Data from Business Partners:
- Trusted business partners, including app stores, operating system providers, and analytics providers, may share data with us. This collaborative effort ensures seamless integration and optimization of our services.
Data from Law Enforcement and NGOs:
- For safety measures, investigations, or legal proceedings, we may receive data from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or law enforcement agencies. This collaboration underscores our commitment to ensuring a secure and lawful environment for our users.
3. How we Utilize your Data:
We leverage your data for various purposes, ensuring the optimal functionality and improvement of our Services. Here's how we put your information to use:
Service Development and Maintenance:
- Develop, operate, improve, deliver, maintain, and protect our Services.
Communication:
- Send you communications, including email responses to direct support inquiries.
Statistical Studies and Trend Analysis:
- Conduct statistical studies anonymously, identifying user groups with similar usage patterns to enhance the overall user experience.
- Analyze registration statistics, determining statistical relevance across user groups like country, users of different phone types, etc. for aggregate studies.
- Measure and analyze user movements over time, enabling the addition of useful features like estimating commute duration.
Safety and Security Enhancement:
- Enhance the safety and security of our products and services.
Push Notifications:
- Send push notifications for updates on new followers, comments, your favorites' pins, and other information.
Terms of Service Enforcement:
- Enforce our Terms of Service and other usage policies.
Rights Requests Response:
- Respond to your exercise of rights requests.
Local Data Storage:
- Store data locally on your phone for quicker app access and content viewing.
4. Bases for Data Utilization:
At Mapin, we operate under clear principles when it comes to utilizing your data. As an company in Switzerland, our practices are governed by specific conditions known as "legal bases," which typically fall into four categories:
Contract:
- We use your data to provide the services outlined in our Terms of Service. We only store the user info that you can see in your profile page (username, name, bio, city, email for login and profile picture). The pins (images, videos, likes and comments) are deleted from the server after the time of 12h.
Legitimate Interest:
- Utilizing your data is essential for providing and enhancing our services. This includes safeguarding your account, delivering services, offering customer support and detecting fraudulent activities. We only resort to legitimate interest when we believe that using your data has minimal impact on your privacy.
Consent:
- In certain cases, we may ask for your consent to use your data for specific purposes. If so, we ensure that you have the option to revoke consent either through our Services or your device permissions. Even when not reliant on consent, we may still request permission to access your data through device permissions.
Legal Obligation:
- We may be obligated to use your data to comply with the law. This occurs when responding to valid legal processes or taking action to protect our users.
Understanding these bases ensures transparency and aligns with our commitment to responsible data utilization.
5. Data Access and Sharing:
Ensuring the seamless operation of our Services involves collaboration with various entities. Here's an overview of who they are and how we may share your data with them:
Mapins' Team:
- Authorized Mapin employees may access your data within the scope of their responsibilities to provide Services or necessary support.
Other Users:
- Content and Information you share on our Services, such as your username, name, bio, city and profile picture, can be viewed by other users.
Your Location:
- Your location will be included in shared content visible to other users. Be mindful, each time you add a pin to the map, that people may have access to see your location for 12h where the photo or video is taken. Your location is not published uncertainly.
Affiliates:
- Data may be shared with entities within Mapin, known as our affiliates.
Third Parties - Service Providers and Partners:
- We may share data with service providers and business partners who perform services on our behalf.
Third Parties for Legal Reasons:
- Data may be disclosed to comply with legal processes, governmental requests, applicable laws, investigate violations, protect rights, property, safety, and detect or resolve fraud or security concerns.
Other Third Parties:
- Aggregated, non-personally identifiable data may be shared with third parties.
Mergers or Acquisitions:
- In the event of a merger, acquisition, or business transaction involving Mapin, your data may be shared with the involved entities before and after the transaction closes.
This comprehensive sharing framework is designed to uphold transparency, legal compliance, and the ongoing enhancement of our Services.
6. Data Retention Policy:
Ensuring the security and relevance of your data is a priority for us. We retain your data as long as you are an active user of our Services, and specific retention protocols apply to different data types. Rest assured, your data will always be deleted or anonymized at the end of the indicated periods.
If there's a period of 36 months or more where you haven't opened or used our Services, we will initiate the deletion of your account and its associated data. However, as long as you're an active user, your data remains secure with us.
The following data is retained for active users:
- Your username
- Your name
- Your bio
- Your city (place of residence)
- Your email address
- Your profile picture
- Follower requests and favorites list
- Your preferences
- Your followers, views and likes
- Your device and usage data
Your privacy matters to us. If you ever feel uncomfortable sharing your data, you have the option to delete your account at any time. More details on this process can be found in the subsequent section.
7. Your Data, Your Control:
Access:
- Take charge of your data! Access and update most information in the app's profile section. For additional requests, connect with us over info@mapin.ch. Expect identity verification for secure access.
Location:
- Fine-tune to select the most accurate location, that describes your place where the pin is taken.
Object:
- Exercise your right to object. For essential data required for Services, deleting your account halts further processing.
Correct:
- Correct any inaccuracies in your data like your bio, username or name promptly over the profile settings.
Delete and Remove:
- Easily manage in-app data, deleting comments and likes, deleting added pins, added favorites, and more.
Account Deletion:
- While we'd prefer you stay, you can delete your account in the settings > delete account.
Handling After Death:
- Instruct whether your data should be communicated posthumously to a designated third party. (contact info@mapin.ch)
Data Transfers Beyond Switzerland:
Similar to third-party transfers, your data may be accessible outside from Switzerland. We ensure robust mechanisms safeguard your data.
Transfers from Switzerland, UK, or the EU to countries outside these regions are based on:
We retain collected data for the necessary duration, aligning with legal obligations.
8. Adapting to Tomorrow:
As the landscape evolves—be it in technology, economy, regulations, or laws—so will our Privacy Policy. We commit to revising it, ensuring alignment with the latest developments. Whether prompted by technical advancements or legal nuances, these revisions aim to comply with changing laws and regulations. Rest assured, we'll keep you informed whenever we make updates. Your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these changes are greatly appreciated.
9. Contact us:
We genuinely welcome your input! Whether you have questions or valuable feedback about our Services, don't hesitate to reach out to us on info@mapin.ch. Your thoughts are important to us, and we look forward to connecting with you.
Thank you for being a part of our community.