The following statement describes information gathering and privacy practices related to use of the DECO application. Because this privacy policy applies to any person who downloads, installs, or uses the DECO app, we strongly urge you to review it in its entirety. By downloading, installing, or using the DECO app, you accept and agree to be bound by this privacy policy and consent to the processing of your information as set forth in the DECO Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
As a general matter, we use information collected through this app to support the DECO project, whose goals and outcomes can be reviewed at any time at wipac.wisc.edu/deco. DECO data tools are designed to report, visualize, and analyze anonymous data about high-energy particles of cosmic or terrestrial origin. This information may be used to conduct research on cosmic rays detected at different locations on Earth. Images recorded with this app will also be used in a Zooniverse-based DECO project.
Personal Information
Registration of the app is optional and allows you to track your user statistics online. If you register after installing the app, DECO stores your email address and username.
Other Information
Additionally, DECO records information relevant to the collection and analysis of cosmic-ray events. This information includes your unique device ID, device model, and operating system version. For each cosmic-ray event, DECO records the time, geographic location, device orientation, and magnetic field values. This information is stored in a database for analysis by our user base. However, the geographic location is degraded to ensure privacy.
Camera Access
DECO uses your cell phone's image sensor in order to detect cosmic rays. We recommend that you run the application with the camera facing down or in completely dark environments. If you have any concerns about images taken, please contact us at deco@wipac.wisc.edu.
Location-Based Services
DECO utilizes GPS in order to record the geographic location of each cosmic-ray event. The enabling of location-based services is required in order to run DECO.
Disclosure of Information, Including to Third Parties
Data collected by DECO users is made publicly available through the wipac.wisc.edu/deco website. Results may be viewed on the web site or downloaded from the web site for offline use.
We may occasionally use your e-mail to communicate DECO-related updates and news. Usernames and details about users’ DECO data-taking statistics—like number of events or locations—may be displayed on the DECO website and in the app, or in related news.
We do not sell, share, or disclose any of your personal information to third parties.
Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to change the terms of this privacy policy from time to time. We will post any such changes in the app and here: wipac.wisc.edu/deco/privacy_policy, so please check this location periodically. We will notify our registered users and the deco-users google group about these changes. Your continued use of the app after any change has been posted constitutes acceptance of the change to this privacy policy.
Security
We will maintain appropriate safeguards to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of any information we collect from you. Data are transmitted from your mobile device to DECO servers through an encrypted connection.
Children Under the Age of 13
Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to register with DECO.
Questions
Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding our privacy policy at deco@wipac.wisc.edu.