Privacy Policy

1. Overview

Great Eastern Parks Route ("GEPR", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our website, mobile application, pedestrian navigation services, and community features.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide, maintain, and improve our services for hikers and community members:

• Account & Profile Information: Name, email address, profile photo, and account credentials when you register via Email or Google Authentication.
• Precise Location Data (GPS): With your permission, our mobile app collects real-time device location data to render live 3D pedestrian turn-by-turn navigation, display nearby heritage landmarks, and show active walking speeds.
• Scheduled Walks & Activity Logs: Walk itineraries you schedule, completed segment histories, and saved walking routes.
• Community Messages & Interaction: Chat messages sent within the GEPR Community Chat and walk invitation links.
• Technical & Usage Data: Device model, operating system version, browser type, and IP address for diagnostic and security purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your data is used strictly for the operational functionality of the GEPR ecosystem:

• Providing accurate GPS navigation along the 17 official GEPR heritage trail segments.
• Authenticating your account and storing your saved walk plans across devices via Firebase.
• Enabling community member interactions and group walk scheduling.
• Improving app performance, user interface layout, and navigation accuracy.

4. Location Services & Background Location

Location access is required only when you launch real-time pedestrian navigation mode. Location data is never sold, leased, or transferred to third-party advertisers. You may disable location permissions at any time in your device settings, though real-time turn-by-turn guidance will be unavailable.

5. Data Sharing & Third-Party Services

We do not sell your personal data. We utilize trusted infrastructure providers to deliver our services:

• Firebase (Google Cloud): Secure user authentication, Firestore database, and app hosting.
• OpenStreetMap & OSRM Engine: Open-source mapping tiles and foot pedestrian routing logic.

6. Data Security & Retention

We implement industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption and Firebase Security Rules to protect your data. Account profiles and walk data are retained for as long as your account remains active. You may request account deletion at any time.

7. Your Rights & Choice

Under applicable privacy laws (including UK GDPR), you have the right to access, update, export, or delete your personal information. You can manage your profile directly in the app or contact us to erase your account data.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@gepr.co.uk
Website: https://gepr-route.web.app