Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Family Care App ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service").

This policy applies to users in the United Kingdom and complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Service.

2. Data Controller

Family Care App is the data controller responsible for your personal data. If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, name, and password (stored in encrypted form).
• Profile Information: Your role within the family (parent, grandparent, or family member), and optional profile details you choose to add.
• Care Request Data: Information about childcare requests you create or respond to, including dates, times, and any notes you add.
• Communications: Messages you send through the app and any correspondence with our support team.

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our Service, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and unique device identifiers.
• Usage Data: How you interact with the app, including features used and time spent.
• Log Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps.

3.3 Information We Do Not Collect

We do not collect:

• Precise geolocation data
• Financial or payment information (the app is free to use)
• Health or biometric data
• Photos or media from your device (unless you explicitly upload them)

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contract Performance: To provide and maintain the Service as per our terms of service.
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our Service, ensure security, and communicate with you about updates.
• Consent: For optional features and marketing communications, which you can withdraw at any time.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Create and manage your account
• Process and coordinate care requests between family members
• Send you notifications about request updates and responses
• Respond to your comments, questions, and support requests
• Monitor and analyse usage patterns to improve user experience
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• Send you updates about the Service (you can opt out at any time)

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

6.1 With Your Family Members

Your name, role, and care request information are shared with family members you are connected with in the app. This is essential to the Service's core functionality.

6.2 Service Providers

We may share data with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Cloud hosting providers (data storage)
• Analytics providers (usage analysis)
• Email service providers (notifications)

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.

6.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.

6.4 What We Never Do

We do not:

• Sell your personal data to third parties
• Share your data with advertisers
• Use your data for targeted advertising
• Transfer your data outside the UK/EEA without appropriate safeguards

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 30 days after deletion request to allow for account recovery.
• Care Requests: Retained for 12 months after completion for your reference, then automatically deleted.
• Usage Data: Aggregated and anonymised after 90 days.
• Support Communications: Retained for 2 years to improve our service.

You can request deletion of your data at any time (see Your Rights section).

8. Data Security

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

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
• Secure password hashing using industry-standard algorithms
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls limiting who can access personal data
• Secure cloud infrastructure with reputable providers

While we strive to protect your personal data, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Rights (UK GDPR)

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@familycareapp.com. We will respond to your request within one month.

If you are not satisfied with how we handle your request, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Service is designed for adults (parents and grandparents) to coordinate childcare. We do not knowingly collect personal data directly from children under 13 years of age.

The Service allows parents to reference children in care requests (e.g., "care needed for [child's name]"), but this information is:

• Provided and controlled by the parent
• Only visible to connected family members
• Not used for any marketing or analytics purposes
• Deleted when the associated care request or account is deleted

If we learn we have collected personal data from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete that information promptly.

11. International Data Transfers

Your data is primarily stored and processed within the United Kingdom and European Economic Area (EEA).

If we transfer data outside the UK/EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK ICO
• Transfers to countries with adequacy decisions
• Other legally approved transfer mechanisms

12. Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the new policy on this page with an updated date
• Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)
• Displaying a notice in the app

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.