EquiFib Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 01/03/2025

This Privacy Policy explains how the EquiFib app (“EquiFib”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data. EquiFib is developed by Equine Cardioteam Ghent and registered under the department of Large Animal Internal Medicine of Ghent University. This policy applies to the EquiFib app distributed via Google Play.

1. Data Controller

The data controller for personal data processed through the EquiFib app is Ghent University / Equine Cardioteam Ghent, acting through the department of Large Animal Internal Medicine.

For privacy-related questions, please contact: privacy@ugent.be

2. Personal Data We Collect

EquiFib may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Device and technical data: unique device identifier, app instance data, operating system information, device model, and related technical identifiers.
• Usage data: IP address, app interactions, feature usage, event logs, and other activity within the app.
• Location data: coarse location data (city level), where applicable.
• Analytics data: information collected through analytics tools such as PostHog to understand app performance and usage.
• Other data: any information you voluntarily provide in the app or to our support team.

3. How We Use Personal Data

We process personal data for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain the app.
• To monitor app performance and fix technical issues.
• To improve functionality, usability, and user experience.
• To support scientific research, subject to applicable ethical and legal requirements.
• To comply with legal obligations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data on one or more of the following legal bases under the GDPR:

• Your consent, where required.
• Performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority.
• Legitimate interests in maintaining and improving the app.
• Compliance with legal obligations.
• Scientific research purposes, where applicable under GDPR and local law.

5. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell your personal data.

Personal data may be shared only with authorized personnel and service providers who support the operation of the app, including analytics service providers such as PostHog.

Where PostHog is used, analytics and event data may be processed and stored on PostHog servers for the purposes of app analytics, performance monitoring, and improvement.

We may also disclose personal data if required by law, regulation, court order, or other legal process.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data for a period of 7 years, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law, or unless earlier deletion is required by law or requested by the data subject and legally possible.

Analytics and event data processed through PostHog may also be retained on PostHog servers for this retention period, or for any shorter period configured in our systems.

7. Data Security

We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

Depending on the legal basis and context of processing, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal data.
• Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Request deletion of your personal data.
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent.
• Request data portability, where applicable.

9. How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise your rights or ask questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact: privacy@ugent.be

You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority or the relevant supervisory authority.

10. Children’s Privacy

EquiFib is not intended for children under the age of 16 without appropriate authorization or consent where required by law. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without lawful basis.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or app functionality. The updated version will be made available in the app or on the app’s public privacy policy page.

12. Supervisory Authority

If you have concerns or complaints, you may contact the Belgian Data Protection Authority:

Generic Code of Conduct: The Generic Code of Conduct for the processing of personal data and confidential information at Ghent University applies to EquiFib.