WANDER — PRIVACY POLICY

1. Introduction

Wander ("Wander", "we", "us" or "our") is an independent discovery and social platform designed to help people discover places, experiences, attractions, walks, beaches, businesses, activities and other points of interest.

We take your privacy seriously.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, how we protect it, who we may share it with and the rights you have over your personal information.

This Privacy Policy applies to the Wander mobile application, website and associated services.

By using Wander, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.

2. Who is responsible for your data?

The organisation responsible for deciding how and why your personal information is processed is:

Wander
Data Controller: Wander Northern Ireland
Registered Contact: support@wanderapp.co.uk
Website: https://wanderapp.co.uk

If you have questions about privacy or how your information is handled, please contact us using the details above.

3. The personal information we collect

The information we collect depends on how you use Wander. We aim to collect only information that is reasonably necessary to provide and improve the service.

3.1 Account information

When you create or use a Wander account, we may collect:

• Your email address.
• Your name or display name.
• Your account identifier.
• Your profile photograph, where you choose to provide one.
• Your selected avatar.
• Authentication information required to securely operate your account.
• Information associated with your chosen sign-in method.

Wander currently supports authentication methods including email/password and Google Sign-In.

Where you use a third-party authentication provider, such as Google, we may receive information that the provider makes available to us in accordance with your settings and the provider's policies.

We do not receive or store your Google password.

4. Profile information

You may choose to provide information for your Wander profile. This may include display name, profile photograph, avatar, profile preferences, and other information you voluntarily choose to make available.

5. User-generated content

Wander contains social features that allow users to interact with the platform and other users. You may submit reviews, comments, posts, ratings, recommendations, photographs, and other content. Content you voluntarily publish through Wander may be visible to other users.

6. Photographs and uploaded media

Wander may allow you to upload photographs or other media. Uploaded photographs are stored using our cloud infrastructure and displayed to other users where appropriate.

7. Location information

Certain Wander features use location-related information, including your approximate location, device location, locations associated with places you interact with, check-ins, and visited places. Location permissions are controlled through your device settings.

8. Privacy-aware check-ins and sharing

Wander provides settings controlling whether particular activity is shared with other users. We will not intentionally make information public that you have specifically configured as private.

9. Information about places and businesses

Wander contains information about places, businesses, attractions and points of interest obtained from public or third-party sources (addresses, contact info, coordinates, opening hours).

10. Reports and moderation

If you report content or users, we collect information associated with your report to investigate abuse and enforce community rules.

11. Automated profanity and content filtering

Wander uses automated systems to identify profanity and inappropriate content submitted through the platform.

12. Technical and device information

We automatically receive technical details such as device type, OS, app version, IP address, crash logs, and security data to operate, secure, and debug Wander.

13. Push notifications

Push notifications (delivered via Firebase Cloud Messaging) are used for account messages, social interactions, and important updates. You can manage notification permissions in your device settings.

14. Local storage

Some application preferences and cached content are stored locally on your device to enable offline support and improve speed.

15. Firebase

Wander uses Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Storage, Messaging) for cloud hosting, data persistence, and security.

16. Data storage and international transfers

Wander aims to store user data using European Union cloud infrastructure where permitted. We do not sell your personal information.

17. Why we use your personal information

We process personal information to provide Wander features, maintain security and moderation, improve app performance, and comply with legal obligations.

18. Our lawful bases for processing

Under UK data protection law, our processing is based on performance of a contract, legitimate interests, legal obligation, or consent.

19. Sensitive information

We do not intentionally require sensitive personal information (health, religion, political views) to use Wander.

20. Political information

Wander is politically independent and does not conduct political profiling.

21. Who we share information with

We do not sell personal information. We share data only with necessary infrastructure providers (such as Google Firebase and Mapbox) or when required by law.

22. Public information

Information you publish publicly (reviews, display name, public posts) is visible to other Wander users.

23. Data retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for the purpose collected, unless longer retention is required by law.

24. Deleting your account

You may request deletion of your Wander account at any time directly in the app settings or via our web portal at https://wanderapp.co.uk/delete-account. Deletion permanently purges profile details, reviews, posts, wishlists, and connections.

25. Your data protection rights

Under UK data protection laws, you have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and data portability.

26. How to exercise your rights

To exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at support@wanderapp.co.uk.

27. Children's privacy

Wander is not intended to encourage children to provide unnecessary personal information. We take children's privacy seriously.

28. Security

We employ administrative, technical, and physical security measures to safeguard personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or alteration.

29. Third-party services

Wander utilizes third-party services (such as Firebase and Mapbox) that process data according to their respective privacy standards.

30. Maps and location services

Map rendering and location search features are powered by Mapbox and location APIs.

31. Cookies and similar technologies

Strictly necessary local storage and web technologies are used to maintain session state and essential app preferences.

32. Analytics

We may use aggregated technical information to diagnose bugs and improve app reliability.

33. Advertising

Wander's privacy practices concerning advertising will depend on whether advertising services are introduced. Any updates will be reflected in this policy.

34. Reports of inaccurate information

Reports submitted regarding inaccurate place details are retained to verify and correct database records.

35. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The latest version will always be accessible at https://wanderapp.co.uk/privacy-policy.

36. Complaints

If you have concerns about our privacy practices, please contact us at support@wanderapp.co.uk. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).