What data does GladGrade collect?

GladGrade collects telephone numbers for account verification, location data for nearby recommendations, review data including ratings and photos, and uploaded receipts for verification. All data is collected with user consent and stored securely using Google Firebase and Firestore.

How does GladGrade use my data?

Your data is used to provide location-based recommendations, calculate the Global Customer Satisfaction Grade (GCSG), award Glad Points for verified reviews, improve our services, and provide businesses with insights to enhance customer satisfaction.

Can I delete my GladGrade account and data?

Yes, you have the right to request deletion of your personal data at any time. To delete your account, navigate to Profile > Edit your profile > Other Options, type 'delete' in the text box, and confirm. The process ensures all your data is removed from our systems.

Are my receipts shared with anyone?

No, receipts uploaded to GladGrade are never shared with anyone. They are used solely for internal verification purposes to ensure that grades and reviews are genuine and authentic.

Is GladGrade GDPR and CCPA compliant?

Yes, GladGrade is committed to compliance with GDPR and CCPA regulations. Users have the right to access, correct, and delete their personal data. We implement industry-standard security practices to protect your information.

Where is my data stored?

GladGrade uses Google's Firebase and Firestore services to securely store user data. Google provides storage as a service and does not access or use your data for commercial purposes. All data is protected using industry-standard security practices.

GladGrade Privacy & Security Policy - Data Protection and User Rights

Policy

1. Data Collection

GladGrade collects the following user data to enhance the experience and ensure better service:

Telephone Number: We collect your phone number to verify your identity, validate your account, and ensure that your location is accurate for providing nearby recommendations.
Location Data: We collect your location to provide tailored services and help you find businesses or services nearby. This location data is only collected when the app is actively in use.
Review Data: We collect the reviews you provide, including business ratings, answers to tailored questions, and any written reviews or uploaded photos. Receipts uploaded as evidence are collected to validate your reviews and maintain the integrity of our platform. Please note that receipts are never shared with anyone and are used solely for internal verification purposes to ensure that grades and reviews are genuine and not fake.
Private Reviews: Users have the option to flag their reviews as private, in which case the review will not be shown publicly but will be accessible to the business owner or administrator to assist in addressing the issue and improving customer satisfaction.
Contact Us Messages: When using the Help feature, users can submit internal messages through the Contact Us form, which includes categorizing the issue (such as Error, Security, Investment, or Other), subject, message, a flag indicating if a reply is required, contact telephone, and contact email.

2. Data Usage

The data we collect is used to:

Provide location-based recommendations for businesses and services.
Allow users to grade businesses and submit reviews, which are used to calculate the Global Customer Satisfaction Grade (GCSG).
Award Glad Points for verified reviews with receipts.
Improve our services and ensure the quality and authenticity of user-generated content.
Provide businesses with insights to help them improve customer satisfaction.
Facilitate communication with users who submit issues via the Contact Us feature.

3. Data Storage

GladGrade uses Google's Firebase and Firestore services to store user data, including personal information and images uploaded by users. Google provides storage as a service, and they do not access or use this data for commercial purposes. All data is securely stored and protected using industry-standard practices to ensure your privacy.

GladGrade does not share your personal data with any third parties beyond Google's Firebase and Firestore, which are used solely for storage purposes.

4. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your data for as long as necessary to provide our services effectively. You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data at any time. Upon receiving your request, we will delete your data unless it is required for legal or regulatory purposes.

Please note that messages submitted through the Contact Us feature are not deleted by default when a user opts to delete their account. If you wish for these messages to be deleted as well, you must submit a Contact Us request with the category set to Other and explicitly request the deletion of prior messages prior to executing the account deletion. The process may take up to 30 days as it is a manual procedure, and you must check the Requires a reply flag and provide a valid email for further validation.

To delete your account, please navigate to the Profile section from the lower navigation menu, click Edit your profile, and expand the Other Options section at the bottom. To proceed with account deletion, type delete in the text box, then click Next. You will be shown a confirmation window explaining what data will be deleted and when, with the option to abort by exiting the window.

5. User Rights

You have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you.
Correct inaccurate data, including first name, last name, email, date of birth, and telephone number.
Request data deletion of your account and associated data.

If you have questions or concerns about how your data is handled, please use the Contact Us feature in the app, which can be found by accessing the lower navigation menu, selecting Profile, then Help, and finally Contact Us, and choose the category Security. GladGrade is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly.