Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account & Profile Information

When you create an account or sign in with Google, we collect:

• Name and display name
• Email address
• Profile photo (from your Google account)
• Phone number (if provided)
• Username chosen within the app

1.2 Location & Ride Data

Scout is a ride-tracking app. When you start a ride, we collect:

• GPS coordinates, route path, and waypoints during active rides
• Speed, distance, and duration of each ride
• Start and end locations of rides
• Ride timestamps and metadata (ride name, type, date)
• Device sensor data relevant to ride tracking (accelerometer for orientation)

Location access is requested only while the app is in use (“While Using the App”). We do not collect background location when the app is closed unless you have an active ride session running.

1.3 Usage & App Data

• App interactions, feature usage patterns, and session duration
• Device information (OS version, device model, app version)
• Crash reports and diagnostic data
• XP points, achievement progress, and gamification data

1.4 AI Assistant Interactions

When you use the Scout AI assistant feature, your text queries may be processed to generate responses. These interactions may be logged to improve the service.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide the service: Record, display, and store your ride history and statistics
• Gamification: Calculate XP, award achievements, and maintain your rider level and profile
• Personalization: Remember your preferences and display relevant ride summaries
• AI assistance: Power the Scout AI assistant to answer ride-related queries
• Safety features: Enable emergency contact functionality and ride-status sharing
• Analytics & improvement: Understand how users interact with the app to improve features
• Communication: Send important service notifications, security alerts, or support responses
• Legal compliance: Comply with applicable laws and regulations

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not use your location data for advertising purposes.

3. Data Storage & Security

3.1 Storage Locations

Your data is stored in two places:

• Firebase (Google Cloud): Account information, ride records, achievements, and app state are stored in Firebase Firestore and Firebase Realtime Database, hosted on Google Cloud infrastructure.
• Local Device Storage: Session preferences, cached ride data, and app settings are stored on your device using Android DataStore and local databases.

3.2 Security Measures

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• Data transmission encrypted via HTTPS/TLS
• Firebase Security Rules restricting data access to authenticated users
• User data isolated by UID — you can only access your own data
• No plaintext storage of passwords (authentication handled by Google Sign-In)

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but take reasonable steps to protect your information.

4. Third-Party Services

Scout integrates the following third-party services, each with their own privacy policies:

• Google Sign-In: Used for authentication. Governed by Google’s Privacy Policy.
• Firebase (Google): Database, authentication, and hosting services. See Firebase Privacy Policy.
• Google Maps Platform: Used for map display and location services within the app. Governed by Google’s Privacy Policy.
• Google Play Services: Required for core Android functionality and app distribution.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share data only in the following limited circumstances:

• With your consent: If you choose to share a ride or profile with other users within the app
• Service providers: Third-party vendors (listed above) who help us operate the service, under strict confidentiality obligations
• Legal requirements: If required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business transfer: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice provided to users

6. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. Specifically:

• Account data: Retained while your account exists
• Ride records: Retained indefinitely unless you delete them or request account deletion
• Crash/diagnostic logs: Retained for up to 90 days

Upon account deletion, we will delete or anonymise your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

7. Your Rights & Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate profile information via the app’s Profile settings
• Deletion: Delete individual rides from within the app, or request full account deletion by contacting us at mohitdevelopment48@gmail.com
• Data portability: Request an export of your ride data in a common format
• Opt-out: Disable optional features such as analytics tracking in app settings
• Revoke permissions: Revoke location permissions at any time through Android settings (this will limit ride tracking functionality)

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at mohitdevelopment48@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children’s Privacy

Scout is not intended for use by individuals under 13 years of age (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child, please contact us immediately at mohitdevelopment48@gmail.com and we will delete it promptly.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page
• Notify you via an in-app notification or email for significant changes

Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

• Email: mohitdevelopment48@gmail.com
• App: Scout by AIWF
• Operated by: AIWF (AI With Features)