Dive Buddy Policies
Privacy Policy
This section outlines how Dive Buddy collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information.
Effective Date: 14 October 2024
Dive Buddy (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in a safe and responsible manner. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you use our website, mobile application, and associated services.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal data:
- Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address, and other contact information.
- Account Information: Usernames, passwords, profile data, and app usage history.
- Location Data: We may collect your location if you provide consent, primarily for app functionality (e.g., finding dive centres).
- Payment Information: Billing information (for purchases or partnerships) and transaction history. Note: We do not store payment card details directly; this is handled by third-party payment processors.
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, and browsing behavior (via cookies or similar technologies).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your data for the following purposes:
- Providing Services: To manage your account, process transactions, and deliver the features and services available through Dive Buddy.
- Partner Applications: To review and process partnership enquiries submitted via the website or app.
- Communication: To send you relevant updates, newsletters, marketing communications, or information regarding your partnership or app usage.
- Improvement & Analytics: To analyze usage patterns, improve the user experience, and maintain the safety and security of our platform.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations, or respond to legal processes, where necessary.
3. Sharing Your Information
We may share your information with:
- Service Providers: Third-party companies (e.g., hosting services, payment processors) to perform functions necessary to operate our services.
- Business Partners: With your consent, we may share information with third-party partners (e.g., affiliate marketing programs) so that they can offer relevant promotions or services.
- Legal Authorities: Where required by law, or to protect our rights, we may share information with regulatory authorities, law enforcement, or other government bodies.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Enhance your user experience by remembering preferences.
- Analyse how the platform is used and improve its performance. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect your ability to use some features of the platform.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure. These measures include encryption, secure server environments, and regular security audits. However, no method of data transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. Once your data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymise it.
7. Your Rights
Under applicable data protection laws, including the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: You have the right to request corrections to any inaccuracies in your data.
- Erasure: You may request that we delete your data in certain circumstances.
- Restriction: You can request that we limit the processing of your data.
- Portability: You can request that your data be provided to you or another data controller in a machine-readable format.
- Objection: You have the right to object to certain processing activities, such as direct marketing.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We may require you to verify your identity before processing the request.
8. Children’s Privacy
Dive Buddy is not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under this age. If we learn that we have collected such data, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
9. International Transfers
If you access Dive Buddy from outside the UK or EU, your data may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries where data protection laws may differ. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data during international transfers, in accordance with applicable laws.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your data.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us at:
- Email: [email protected]
Cookie Policy
This section explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on our platform.
Terms and Conditions
These are the rules and guidelines governing the use of Dive Buddy’s services.
Effective Date: 14 October 2024
Welcome to Dive Buddy! These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of our website (www.divebuddyapp.com) and our mobile application (the “Services”). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use our Services.
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using Dive Buddy’s Services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old. If you are using the Services on behalf of a company or organisation, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.
2. User Accounts
To access certain features of our Services, you may need to create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process.
- Maintain the security of your password and account.
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account or any other breach of security.
- Take responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.
3. Use of Services
You agree to use the Services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. You shall not:
- Use the Services for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable local, state, national, or international law.
- Engage in any conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone’s use or enjoyment of the Services or that may harm Dive Buddy or users of the Services.
- Transmit any unsolicited or unauthorised advertising, promotional materials, or any other form of solicitation.
4. Content Ownership
All content available on Dive Buddy, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, and software, is the property of Dive Buddy or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of any content without our express written permission.
5. User-Generated Content
You may have the opportunity to submit, post, or otherwise contribute content to the Services (collectively, “User Content”). By submitting User Content, you grant Dive Buddy a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and distribute such content.
You are solely responsible for your User Content and the consequences of posting or sharing it. You agree not to submit any content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.
6. Third-Party Links
The Services may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Dive Buddy. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You acknowledge and agree that Dive Buddy shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods, or services available on or through such websites or services.
7. Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users of the Services, us, or third parties, or for any other reason.
8. Disclaimers
The Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Dive Buddy makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the Services or the information, content, materials, or products included on the Services. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Dive Buddy disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Dive Buddy shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including without limitation, loss of profits, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from:
- Your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Services.
- Any conduct or content of any third party on the Services.
- Any content obtained from or through the Services.
- Unauthorised access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content.
10. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Dive Buddy, its affiliates, licensors, and service providers, and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, licensors, service providers, subcontractors, suppliers, successors, and assigns from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to your violation of these Terms or your use of the Services.
11. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England, United Kingdom, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms shall be instituted exclusively in the courts located in England, United Kingdom.
12. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of significant changes to these Terms by posting a notice on our website or through the Services. Your continued use of the Services after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
13. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
- Email: [email protected]
Community Guidelines
At Dive Buddy, we strive to create a safe, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all divers. These Community Guidelines outline the standards we expect from our users to maintain a positive experience. Please take a moment to review and follow these guidelines to help us foster a welcoming and responsible diving community.
Effective Date: 14 October 2024
Welcome to Dive Buddy! We’re excited to have you as part of our community. To ensure a positive and respectful experience for everyone, we ask that all users adhere to the following community guidelines.
1. Be Respectful
- Treat all community members with kindness and respect.
- Harassment, bullying, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
2. Content Submission Guidelines
- Appropriate Language: All reviews, comments, and media uploaded to the app must be free of bad language and profanities. Please communicate respectfully with your fellow divers.
- No Nudity: Any images or media that contain nudity or sexually explicit content are strictly prohibited.
- Legal Compliance: All content must comply with local laws and regulations. References to illegal activities, substances, or behaviors will not be tolerated.
- Only share content that you own or have permission to use. Do not post copyrighted material without proper authorization.
3. Engage Constructively
- Encourage open and constructive discussions. Disagree respectfully and avoid personal attacks.
- Share your knowledge and experiences to help others in the community.
4. No Spam or Promotion
- Do not use the platform for unsolicited promotions or advertisements.
- Avoid posting repetitive messages or irrelevant content.
5. Account Security
- Keep your account information secure and confidential. Do not share your login details with anyone.
- Report any suspicious activity or security concerns to the Dive Buddy team immediately.
6. Prohibited Activities
- Engaging in any illegal activities is strictly prohibited.
- Do not use the app to harass, threaten, or harm others.
- Impersonation of other users or staff is not allowed.
7. Reporting Violations
- If you encounter behavior that violates these guidelines, please report it to the Dive Buddy team through the app or website.
- We take all reports seriously and will investigate them promptly.
8. Consequences of Violating Guidelines
- Violations of these community guidelines may result in actions such as warning notifications, account suspension, or termination.
- Dive Buddy reserves the right to determine appropriate actions based on the severity of the violation.
9. Updates to the Guidelines
- We may update these guidelines from time to time. Any changes will be communicated to the community, and the updated version will be available within the app.
10. Contact Us
- If you have any questions or concerns about these guidelines, please reach out to our support team at [Insert Contact Email].
Thank you for being a valued member of the Dive Buddy community! Together, we can create a welcoming and informative space for all divers.
