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Privacy Policy for SAR21 Mission Ready

Last Updated: July 28, 2025

Introduction

SAR21 Mission Ready ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services, coordinate emergency responses, and facilitate team communication.

Personal Information

  • Account Information: This includes your name, email address, phone number, and SAR ID, which are essential for creating and managing your user account.
  • Profile Information: Details such as your profile photo, assigned role within your team (e.g., Admin, Team Lead, Member), team affiliation, and records of your certifications.
  • Emergency Contacts: Contact information for individuals you designate as emergency contacts, provided solely for critical situations.

Operational Data

  • Response Status: Your availability status (e.g., "Available," "Not Available," "Responding"), and responses to callouts, including estimated time of arrival (ETA) if provided.
  • Communication Data: Messages sent and received within the app's chat features, status updates, and other team communications.

Technical Information

  • Device Information: Data about the device you use to access the app, such as device type, operating system, and app version.
  • Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the app, including features used, time spent in the app, and performance metrics.
  • Log Data: Records of events within the app, such as error logs, crash reports, and diagnostic information, used for troubleshooting and improving app stability.

Clarification on Location Data

This application is designed to prioritize battery efficiency and user privacy by NOT collecting or storing your continuous location data.

  • Location permissions are only requested and used for specific, user-initiated actions, such as opening external map applications (e.g., Google Maps, Apple Maps) to view callout locations or navigate.
  • We do not track your location in the background, nor do we store your location history within the app.
  • Any location data processed (e.g., when you open an external map link) is handled by the external application and is not stored internally by SAR21 Mission Ready. This design choice helps preserve critical battery life during emergency operations.

Clarification on Image and Camera Data

  • The app allows users to upload a profile photo. This process may require access to your device's camera or photo library, but only with your explicit permission and action.
  • Any photos or images you choose to upload are done so intentionally by you. We do not access your camera or photo library without your direct initiation.
  • All uploaded image data is transmitted securely and stored in accordance with our data security policies.

How We Use Your Information

Your information is used exclusively for the core functions of the SAR21 Mission Ready application, primarily to support search and rescue operations and team coordination.

Primary Purposes

  • Emergency Response: To coordinate search and rescue operations, dispatch callouts, track member responses, and manage mission-critical information.
  • Team Management: To manage team member status, availability, roles, and contact information within your organization.
  • Training Coordination: To schedule, track attendance for, and manage training sessions and certifications.
  • Communication: To facilitate secure and efficient communication among team members and administrators.

Secondary Purposes

  • App Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and feedback to enhance app functionality, user experience, and performance.
  • Support: To provide technical support, troubleshoot issues, and respond to your inquiries.
  • Compliance: To meet legal and regulatory requirements applicable to search and rescue operations.

Information Sharing

We understand the sensitive nature of the information you share. We limit the sharing of your data strictly to what is necessary for the application's functionality and emergency operations.

Within Your Team

  • Team Members: Other members of your authorized team can see your availability status, responses to callouts, and basic profile information (e.g., name, SAR ID, role, profile photo).
  • Team Administrators: Your team administrators have access to additional operational data and member details necessary for effective team management and mission coordination.

Third Parties

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing or any other commercial purposes. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers: We may use third-party services for essential functions such as cloud hosting, analytics, and technical support. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.
  • Emergency Services: During active emergency operations, your information may be shared with other emergency services, search and rescue organizations, or law enforcement agencies to ensure safety, facilitate coordination, and support rescue efforts.

Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit (e.g., using SSL/TLS) and at rest (on our servers).
  • Access Controls: Strict authentication and authorization controls are in place to ensure only authorized personnel and systems can access your data.
  • Regular Assessments: We conduct regular security assessments and updates to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
  • Incident Response: We have procedures in place to respond promptly and effectively to any potential data security incidents.

Your Rights

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you.
  • Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Deletion: You can request the deletion of your account and associated data, subject to legal and operational requirements (e.g., data needed for ongoing emergency records).
  • Opt-Out: You can opt-out of non-essential communications and manage your notification preferences within the app's settings.
  • Data Export: You may request a copy of your data in a portable format.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section.

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

  • Your account remains active and is necessary to provide you with services.
  • Required for operational purposes related to search and rescue missions (e.g., mission logs, training records).
  • Required by applicable laws or regulations.
  • Necessary for safety and emergency response record-keeping.

Children's Privacy

Our application is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information as quickly as possible.

International Users

If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where our servers and central databases are located. By using the application, you consent to this transfer.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy within the app or on our website, and by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

  • Email: privacy@sar21.app
  • Address: [Your Business Address Here]
  • Phone: [Your Contact Number Here]

Emergency Data Handling

It is critical to understand that in emergency situations, the primary goal is to ensure safety and facilitate rescue operations. In such circumstances, we may need to share your information with emergency services, other SAR teams, or law enforcement to coordinate efforts effectively, even if it deviates from standard data sharing protocols. This is done solely for the purpose of saving lives and ensuring the success of the mission.