Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to AQUAVIEW ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our ocean data platform and services (the "Service").

By using AQUAVIEW, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account (username, email address, password)
• Complete your user profile (professional role, organization)
• Use our interactive map features and data search tools
• Generate reports or save searches
• Contact us for support or feedback

2.2 Google OAuth Information

When you sign in using Google OAuth, we collect:

• Your Google account email address
• Your Google profile name
• Your Google user ID (for account linking purposes)
• Email verification status from Google

We only request the minimum permissions necessary (email and basic profile information). We do not access your Google Drive, Gmail, or other Google services beyond basic identity information.

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

When you use our Service, we automatically collect:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent, interactions with the map
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Log Data: IP address, access times, referring URLs
• Analytics Data: Session tracking, feature usage patterns
• Cookies: Session cookies, authentication tokens, preferences

2.4 Data You Access Through Our Service

AQUAVIEW provides access to public ocean data from various sources (NOAA, ERDDAP servers, etc.). We may log your search queries and data access patterns to improve our Service and provide usage analytics.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and maintain the Service: Account management, authentication, personalization
• Improve our Service: Analyze usage patterns, develop new features, fix bugs
• Communicate with you: Send service updates, respond to inquiries, provide support
• Ensure security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Comply with legal obligations: Respond to legal requests, enforce our terms
• Analytics: Track usage metrics, generate anonymized statistics

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• With your consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share information
• Service providers: Third-party vendors who assist in providing our Service (hosting, analytics, email services) under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or other legal process
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users will be notified)
• Protection of rights: To protect our rights, property, safety, or that of our users

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Authentication Cookies: Keep you logged in securely (httpOnly, secure)
• Session Cookies: Track your session for analytics purposes
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

5.1 Product Analytics

We use third-party analytics services to understand how our Service is used and to improve user experience. These services may collect the following:

• Pageviews and navigation: Pages you visit and how you navigate through the Service
• Feature usage: Interactions with search, map, datasets, and other features
• Session recordings: Replays of your browsing sessions with personal information redacted, used to identify usability issues
• Error tracking: Technical errors encountered during your use of the Service

5.2 Cookie Consent

When you first visit AQUAVIEW, you will see a cookie consent banner. You may choose to accept or reject non-essential tracking cookies. If you reject cookies, no tracking identifiers will be stored on your device. We may still collect aggregate, non-identifying usage statistics (such as total page visit counts) that cannot be linked back to you.

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site, or by using your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of the Service.

5.3 Advertising

We use third-party advertising services to measure the effectiveness of our campaigns. Advertising scripts are only loaded if you have accepted cookies via the consent banner.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Passwords are hashed using bcrypt encryption
• Authentication tokens are stored in httpOnly, secure cookies
• Data transmission is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS
• Access to databases is restricted and monitored
• Regular security audits and updates

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specifically:

• Account Information: Retained until you delete your account
• Usage Data: Retained for up to 2 years for analytics purposes
• Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations

You can request deletion of your account and personal information at any time by contacting us.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

8.1 General Rights (All Users)

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
• Data Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format

8.2 GDPR Rights (EU Users)

• Right to object to processing
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
• Right to withdraw consent at any time

8.3 CCPA Rights (California Users)

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of sale (we do not sell your information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@aquaview.com.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information from our systems.

10. Third-Party Services

Our Service integrates with the following third-party services:

• Google OAuth: For authentication (see Google's Privacy Policy)
• Analytics Providers: For product analytics, session replay, and error tracking
• Advertising Services: For conversion tracking (loaded only with consent)
• NOAA/ERDDAP: For ocean data access (public data sources)
• Cloud Providers: For hosting and infrastructure (Google Cloud Platform)

These third-party services have their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from the laws of your country. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

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

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days of receipt.

14. Consent and Acceptance

By using AQUAVIEW, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Service.