This Privacy Policy describes how PETNEXUS LTD ("the Company", "We", "Us", or "Our") collects, uses, and discloses Your information when You use Our mobile application and associated services ("the Service"), and explains Your rights under applicable data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
1. Data Controller
PETNEXUS LTD is the data controller responsible for Your personal data. We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as a data controller.
If You have any questions about how We handle Your data, please contact Us using the details at the end of this Policy.
2. Interpretation and Definitions
Interpretation
Words with initial capital letters have meanings defined under the following conditions. These definitions apply whether they appear in singular or plural.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:
Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service.
Affiliate means an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a party, where "control" means ownership of 50% or more of the shares or voting securities.
Application refers to the Dogs Out mobile app provided by the Company.
Company refers to PETNEXUS LTD, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 14759974), with registered office at 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London, England, W1W 7LT.
Content means any text, photos, reviews, ratings, comments, dog profiles, or other material submitted by You through the Service.
Country refers to the United Kingdom.
Device means any device that can access the Service, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Personal Data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual.
Service refers to the Application.
Service Provider means any person or entity that processes data on behalf of the Company, such as analytics, hosting, or authentication providers.
Usage Data refers to information collected automatically when using the Service.
You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the legal entity on whose behalf such individual is acting.
3. Collecting and Using Your Personal Data
Types of Data Collected
Account and Profile Data
When You create an account and profile, We collect:
- Email address;
- Username;
- Password (stored in hashed form and not accessible in plain text);
- Profile description; and
- Location.
You are not required to use your real name. A username or nickname is sufficient.
Dog Profile Data
If You create dog profiles, We collect the information You choose to provide, which may include:
- Dog name;
- Breed;
- Age;
- Sex;
- Photos; and
- Instagram account for the dog (optional).
User-Generated Content
We collect Content You submit through the Service, including reviews and ratings of businesses, comments, and photos of dogs, places, food, business interiors and exteriors, and other relevant content. Your username is displayed publicly alongside reviews and other Content You submit. Reviews and Content are visible to all registered users of the Service.
Third-Party Authentication Data
If You register or sign in using Google Sign-In or Sign in with Apple, certain account information is shared with Us in accordance with the permissions You grant and the privacy policies of those providers. This typically includes Your email address and a unique identifier used to recognise Your account. We do not receive or store Your password from these providers.
Location Data
With Your prior permission, We collect Your device's location while You are actively using the Service. Location is used to:
- Display Your position on the map;
- Show nearby dog-friendly places; and
- Calculate distances to listings.
Dogs Out does not collect location data in the background. You can modify or revoke location permission in Your device settings at any time.
Photos and Camera Access
With Your prior permission, We may access Your device camera or photo gallery when You choose to upload photos. You can modify or revoke these permissions in Your device settings at any time.
Usage Data
Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service. It may include:
- Your Device's IP address, browser type, and version;
- Screens visited, time and date of visits, and time spent on screens;
- Unique device identifiers and diagnostic data; and
- Operating system and network data.
4. Use of Your Personal Data
The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes:
- To provide and maintain the Service, including monitoring usage and improving performance;
- To manage Your Account and allow You to access personalised features;
- To display Your profile, dog profiles, reviews, and Content to other registered users;
- To contact You via email or in-app notifications for service updates or necessary information;
- To use publicly shared Content, including reviews, usernames, dog names, and photos, in promotional materials, social media, newsletters, marketing campaigns, app store listings, and community promotion;
- To manage Your requests, such as support, account deletion, or business listing claims;
- For business operations, such as analytics, product improvement, or marketing evaluation;
- For business transfers, if We undergo a merger, sale, or reorganisation; and
- With Your consent, for any other specific purpose.
5. Public Visibility of Content
Dogs Out is a community platform. The following Content is visible to all registered users of the Service:
- Your username, profile description, and location;
- Dog profiles and dog photos;
- Reviews, ratings, and comments;
- Followers and following.
You should only submit Content and profile information that You are comfortable sharing within the Dogs Out community. Reviews and ratings are not currently visible to users who have not created an account.
6. Sharing of Your Personal Data
We may share Your information in the following circumstances:
- With Service Providers: To support the operation of the Service, including analytics and authentication providers.
- With Other Users: Content You submit publicly within the app, including reviews, photos, and profile information, is visible to other registered users.
- With Business Owners: Where You submit a review of a business, the review and Your username may be visible to the verified Business Owner of that listing.
- With Affiliates: Under common ownership, provided they comply with this Privacy Policy.
- For Business Transfers: As part of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
- With Your Consent: For any additional disclosure You authorise.
7. Retention of Your Personal Data
We retain Personal Data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, or to comply with legal, tax, or regulatory obligations.
When You delete Your account, Your profile, dog profiles, photos, reviews, and comments are permanently deleted. We may retain certain data where required for legal, regulatory, fraud-prevention, or security purposes.
Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period unless used for security or functionality improvements.
8. Transfer of Your Personal Data
Your information may be transferred to and stored at locations outside Your jurisdiction, including where data protection laws may differ.
We ensure all such transfers are performed in compliance with the UK GDPR, including the use of approved safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
9. Your Data Protection Rights
Under the UK GDPR, You have the right to:
- Access, correct, or delete Your personal data;
- Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent);
- Request restriction or portability of Your data;
- Object to processing under certain circumstances; and
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.
To exercise these rights, contact Us at operations@dogs-out.co.uk.
10. Delete Your Personal Data
You may request deletion of Your account and associated Personal Data through the account settings within the Service or by contacting Us at operations@dogs-out.co.uk.
Upon deletion, the following will be permanently removed: Your profile, dog profiles, photos, reviews, and comments. Certain data may be retained where required by law or legitimate business interest, such as fraud prevention or compliance.
11. Disclosure of Your Personal Data
Business Transactions
If the Company is involved in a merger or acquisition, Your data may be transferred. Notice will be provided before any material change to data processing occurs.
Law Enforcement and Legal Obligations
We may disclose Personal Data if required by law or in response to valid public authority requests.
12. Security of Your Personal Data
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect Your information, including encrypted storage of passwords. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage method is 100% secure, and We cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Third-Party Services
Firebase Authentication
Dogs Out uses Firebase Authentication, provided by Google LLC, to manage account creation and sign-in. Firebase may collect certain account information in connection with this service. For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Firebase Analytics
Dogs Out uses Firebase Analytics, provided by Google LLC, to understand how users interact with the Service. Firebase Analytics may collect usage data and device information as described above. For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Google Places API
Our Application uses the Google Places API to retrieve and display information about locations, including business names, addresses, and photos. Data retrieved through Google Places is managed in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Google Sign-In and Sign in with Apple
If You choose to register or sign in using Google or Apple, Your use of those services is governed by Google's and Apple's respective privacy policies. Dogs Out receives only the account information necessary to create and manage Your Dogs Out account.
14. Children's Privacy
Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 13, and We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children under 13. If You believe a child under 13 has provided Us with personal information, please contact Us immediately to request deletion.
15. Links to Other Websites
Our Service may contain links to external websites not operated by Us. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review each third party's Privacy Policy before providing any personal information.
16. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The "Last updated" date reflects the most recent version. If material changes occur, We will notify You via an in-app notice prior to the effective date.
17. Contact Us
If You have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise Your rights, please contact Us:
Email: operations@dogs-out.co.uk
Postal address: PETNEXUS LTD, 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London, England, W1W 7LT