Welcome to the Air Quality Communications Network (AQCN). This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you use our platform. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring compliance with UK data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Content Data: Posts, comments, likes, and other content you create on the platform
Membership Data: Space memberships, sidebar preferences, and activity within spaces
Usage Data: How you interact with the platform, including pages visited and features used
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and authentication tokens
Account Deletion Data: If you delete your account, we retain a record of the deletion reason and timestamp for research purposes
4. How We Use Your Data
We use your data to:
Provide and maintain the AQCN platform and its features
Enable communication and collaboration between network members
Manage your account, authenticate your identity, and secure your access
Personalize your experience, including displaying relevant content and spaces
Send you important notifications about your account and platform updates
Conduct research and analysis to improve the platform and understand usage patterns
Comply with legal obligations and protect the rights and safety of users
Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
5. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data under the following legal bases:
Consent: When you create an account, you consent to the processing of your data as described in this policy
Legitimate Interests: To provide and improve our services, ensure platform security, and facilitate networking among members
Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our obligations to you as a user of the platform
Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable UK laws and regulations
6. Data Storage & Location
All your personal data is stored in the United Kingdom.
We use Firebase (Google Cloud Platform) with a database specifically located in the UK region. This ensures that your data is subject to UK GDPR and UK data protection laws. Your data is not transferred outside the UK without appropriate safeguards and your explicit consent where required.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to:
Provide you with access to the platform
Comply with legal obligations
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
If you delete your account, your personal data will be deleted immediately, except for anonymised data used for research purposes and deletion records (which are retained for compliance and research purposes). Some data may be retained longer if required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
8. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, 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 (you can delete your account at any time via your profile settings)
Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your data
Right to Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format
Right to Object: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes
Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent at any time (this will not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal)
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 12.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data, including:
Encryption of data in transit and at rest
Secure authentication and authorization mechanisms
Regular security assessments and updates
Access controls and audit logs
Secure hosting infrastructure in UK-based data centers
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal data. We may share your data with:
Service Providers: Third-party services that help us operate the platform (e.g., Firebase/Google Cloud for hosting, Vercel for deployment), all of which are bound by strict data protection agreements
Other Users: Your display name, profile information, and public content are visible to other members of the network
Legal Authorities: If required by law or to protect our rights and the safety of users
Research Collaborators: Anonymised or aggregated data may be shared with approved research partners for academic purposes
11. Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
Authenticate your session and maintain your login state
Remember your preferences and settings
Analyze platform usage and improve performance
Essential cookies are necessary for the platform to function and cannot be disabled. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
12. Contact & Complaints
If you have questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact:
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator:
Information Commissioner's Office Website: www.ico.org.uk Phone: 0303 123 1113
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 and updating the "Effective Date" at the top. Your continued use of the platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.