Last Modified: October 5, 2018
This privacy policy governs your use of the CUPUS Crowdsensing app for Android phones that was created by the researchers and students of the IoTLab@FER. The app is intended to be used by individuals who want to sense their environment using built-in or wearable sensors (e.g. noise, temperature, air quality, etc.) while on the move, and are willing to share such sensor readings with others. It falls in the category of Mobile Crowdsensing applications driven by a community of users.
Which information does the CUPUS Crowdsensing app obtain and how is it used?
The app collects non-personal data and needs access to built in sensors of the mobile phone and GPS. In particular, it uses microphone for determining noise levels (the sound is not recorded), light sensor for measuring light level in lx, and GPS for precise location to associate sensor readings with location. In addition, it will recognize and include other sensors built into your device, e.g., humidity and temperature. It also needs access to data storage since it records the log of your readings on the phone’s internal storage for your personal use. In addition, it will use Bluetooth in case you want to connect a wearable device with additional sensors to generate readings and share them using the app.
User Provided Information
The CUPUS Crowdsensing app does not require users to provide any personal information and no such information is collected. Personal information is understood here as data that identifies or describes a user or another identifiable individual. We do not attach a specific user profile to an app installation and use only non-personalized data that does not identify any user.
Liability and Usage of Collected Sensor Readings
The IoTLab@FER does not guarantee that the sensor readings created by and shared using the the CUPUS Crowdsensing app are truthful and rightfully exhibit the actual properties of the environment, as any user may temper with the actual measurement process or perform measurements in inadequate conditions. Thus the IoTLab@FER is not held liable for the generated and shared readings which are provided by the community of users, and uses them exclusively for research purposes.
Does the app collect location information of the device?
Yes, the app collects information about the location of your mobile device since sensor readings are associated with location. Such tagged readings are shared through our server with other users potentially interested in data readings within the area for which you generate readings. All data readings are anonymous, i.e., we never ask you to provide any personal data nor create a specific user profile for a particular user.
Do third parties see and/or have access to information obtained by the CUPUS Crowdsensing app?
Yes, other app users have access to sensor readings generated by you, but these are non-personalized and anonymous. In addition, you decide when and which readings are shared or not shared.
What are my opt-out rights?
You can at any time decide to disable any of the internal and external sensors which are collecting readings from your environment (in the app screen Sensors). You also decide when to start and stop sharing your sensor readings with others by connecting and disconnecting from the server (in the app screen Settings, disable Publisher connection), so you decide when the data is shared with others.
You can remove the applications’ access to your GPS, microphone and data storage easily by uninstalling the CUPUS Crowdsensing app application. You may use the standard uninstall processes on your mobile device.
Changes
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time for any reason. We will notify you of any changes to our Privacy Policy by posting the new Privacy Policy here. You are advised to consult this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes.
Your Consent
By using the Application, you are consenting to the terms listed in this privacy policy.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding privacy while using the application, or have questions about our practices, please contact us via email at iotlabfer@gmail.com.