📊 Information We Collect
Account Information: When you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive and store your email address for account identification and recovery purposes.
Location Data: We may request your device location to help find nearby pubs. Your precise GPS location is only used during your session and is not stored permanently.
Home City: You can optionally tell us the city and country you're based in. This is entirely voluntary, only stored if you choose to provide it, and you can change or remove it at any time. We use it to show what's popular near you and to help plan gluten free events in your area.
App Usage: When you open the app while signed in, we record that a session took place (the time, and how you signed in) so we can understand how much the app is being used. This is tied to your account. See "How We Use Your Information" below for the legal basis.
Beer Reports: When you submit a gluten free beer report, we collect the pub information, beer details, and optional photos you provide.
Usage Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how our site is used, helping us improve the experience for all users.
Technical Data: Standard web logs including IP addresses, browser information, and page visits for security and performance monitoring.
🔐 Account Authentication
Sign-in Options: We offer sign-in through Google and Apple. When you use these services:
- We receive your email address from the sign-in provider
- We store your email solely for account identification and recovery
- We never see or store your Google/Apple password
- We don't access your contacts, calendar, or other account data
- We won't send you marketing emails without your explicit consent
Existing Users: If you created an account before this feature was available, you can continue using your passcode or link a Google/Apple account for easier access.
🎯 How We Use Your Information
Provide Our Service: To show you relevant pubs and gluten free beer options in your area.
Community Database: Your beer reports help build our community database of gluten free options.
Site Improvement: Analytics help us understand which features are most useful and where we can improve.
Understanding App Usage: We record when signed-in users open the app to understand overall usage patterns and how often people return. We do this on the basis of our legitimate interests in understanding and improving our own service. This data is first-party, is never shared, and you can object to it at any time by contacting us.
Security: To protect against abuse, spam, and maintain the quality of our database.
🤝 Information Sharing
Public Information: Pub names, locations, and beer information you report becomes part of our public database to help other coeliacs.
No Personal Data Sales: We never sell your personal information to third parties.
Service Providers: We may share data with trusted service providers (like Google Analytics) who help us operate the site.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights and users' safety.
🍪 Cookies and Tracking
Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality, including search preferences and session management.
Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics cookies help us understand site usage patterns.
Preference Cookies: Remember your search settings and location preferences for a better experience.
See our Cookie Policy for detailed information about cookies we use.
🔐 Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:
- HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
- Secure database storage with access controls
- Regular security updates and monitoring
- Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
📍 Location Data
Your Choice: Location access is entirely optional and requires your explicit permission.
Session Only: Your precise location is only used during your current session and is not permanently stored.
Home City: Separately from GPS location, you may optionally tell us your home city and country. Unlike your GPS location this is stored against your account, but only if you choose to provide it, and you can change or clear it whenever you like.
Control: You can disable location services in your browser settings at any time.
👤 Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Rectification: Ask us to correct any inaccurate personal data
- Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
- Object: Object to processing of your personal data, including our use of app-usage records under legitimate interests
- Restriction: Request restriction of processing your personal data
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.
🔄 Data Retention
Beer Reports: Pub and beer information is retained indefinitely to maintain our community database.
Analytics Data: Anonymized usage data is retained for up to 26 months for statistical analysis.
App Usage Records: Records of app-open sessions tied to your account are retained for up to 26 months, after which they are deleted or aggregated into anonymous statistics.
Home City: Retained until you change or remove it, or until your account is deleted.
Technical Logs: Server logs are retained for up to 12 months for security and performance monitoring.
Browser Session Data: Temporary in-browser session information is cleared when you close the app.
🔞 Children's Privacy
Our service is not intended for anyone under 18, as it relates to alcoholic beverages. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.
🌍 International Transfers
Your data may be processed outside the UK/EEA by our service providers (such as Google Analytics). We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:
- Adequacy decisions by the UK/EU authorities
- Standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities
- Certification schemes and codes of conduct
📝 Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on this page
- Updating the "Last Updated" date below
- For material changes, providing additional notice on our homepage
📞 Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Email: ben@coeliacslikebeer.co.uk