Privacy Policy - Missing Persons App (MPA)
Introduction
Welcome to Missing Peoples App ("MPA", "we", "our", or "us"). Your privacy and the security of your personal information are fundamental to our mission of helping locate missing persons and pets. This comprehensive Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and handle your personal information when you use our mobile application or visit our website at missingpeoplesapp.com.
By using MPA's services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection while providing critical services for missing person recovery.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information You Provide
When you create an account or submit missing person reports, we collect:
- Contact Information: Full name, email address, and phone number
- Missing Person Details: Name, age, physical description, last known location, circumstances of disappearance
- Media Files: Photos, videos, and audio recordings related to missing persons or pets
- Communication Data: Messages, comments, and communications sent through our platform
- Emergency Contacts: Contact information for family members and authorized persons
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
Our app automatically collects certain technical information:
- Device Information: Device model, operating system, unique device identifiers, IP address
- Location Data: GPS coordinates and location information (only with your explicit permission)
- Usage Analytics: App usage patterns, feature interactions, session duration, crash reports
- Network Information: Mobile carrier, connection type, network performance data
1.3 Third-Party Authentication Data
When you sign in using third-party services:
- Google Sign-In: Basic profile information (name, email, profile picture)
- Apple Sign-In: Name, email (or private relay email), and basic account information
- Social Media Integration: Public profile information when sharing missing person reports
2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information for the following legitimate purposes:
- Missing Person Services: Create, manage, and distribute missing person and pet reports
- Community Alerts: Send notifications to registered users and emergency contacts
- Search Coordination: Facilitate search efforts through mapping tools and volunteer coordination
- Account Security: Verify user identity through email OTP and security protocols
- Platform Improvement: Enhance app functionality, user experience, and service reliability
- Customer Support: Respond to inquiries, provide technical assistance, and resolve issues
- Legal Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements and assist law enforcement when legally required
- Communication: Send important updates, safety alerts, and service notifications
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
3.1 Emergency and Law Enforcement
- With law enforcement agencies investigating missing person cases
- With emergency services during active search and rescue operations
- With authorized government agencies when legally required
3.2 Authorized Community Sharing
- With your selected emergency contacts and family members
- With registered MPA community members within specified geographic areas
- Through social media platforms when you choose to share reports publicly
3.3 Service Providers
- Cloud Storage: Secure storage of media files through Blaze Cloud with encryption
- Communication Services: Email and SMS providers for notifications and alerts
- Analytics Partners: Anonymized usage data for app improvement (no personal identification)
- Security Services: Fraud prevention and security monitoring providers
4. Data Security and Protection
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:
Technical Safeguards
- AES-256 encryption for data at rest
- TLS 1.3 encryption for data in transit
- Secure API endpoints with authentication
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
Administrative Controls
- Multi-factor authentication for admin access
- Role-based access controls
- Employee privacy training and background checks
- Incident response and breach notification procedures
5. Data Retention and Deletion
5.1 Retention Periods
- Active Missing Person Cases: Data retained until case resolution or at family's request
- Resolved Cases: Archived data retained for 7 years for potential future reference
- User Accounts: Personal data retained while account is active plus 2 years
- Communication Records: Retained for 3 years for customer service purposes
5.2 Data Deletion
You can request account deletion at any time. Upon deletion:
- Personal identifying information is permanently removed within 30 days
- Anonymized data may be retained for statistical and improvement purposes
- Legal holds may prevent deletion if required by law enforcement
6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Access and Control
- View and update your account information
- Download a copy of your personal data
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Delete your account and associated data
Privacy Controls
- Disable location tracking and GPS services
- Manage push notification preferences
- Opt-out of non-essential communications
- Control visibility of your missing person reports
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@missingpeoplesapp.com or call +1 (352) 214-4339.
7. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)
MPA is designed for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13, we will:
- Delete the information immediately upon discovery
- Notify the parents or guardians if contact information is available
- Terminate any associated account
- Implement additional safeguards to prevent future occurrences
Parents who believe their child's information has been collected should contact us immediately at info@missingpeoplesapp.com.
9. Third-Party Links and Services
Our app and website may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, and external services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies before providing personal information.
Integrated Services: When you use integrated services (like social media sharing), those platforms' privacy policies also apply to your interactions.
10. Legal Jurisdiction and Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States. Any disputes arising from this policy or our privacy practices will be resolved in the courts of Alachua County, Florida.
International Users: If you access MPA from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, which may have different privacy laws than your jurisdiction.
11. Authorization for Data Submission
11.1 Who Can Submit Information
Only the following individuals may submit missing person information:
- Immediate family members (parents, siblings, spouses, children)
- Legal guardians or appointed representatives
- Law enforcement officers handling the case
- Authorized social workers or case managers
11.2 Verification Process
We may require verification of your relationship to the missing person through documentation such as identification, legal documents, or police report numbers.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make significant changes:
- We will post the updated policy on our website and app
- We will notify active users via email or app notification
- We will update the "Last Modified" date at the top of this document
- For material changes, we may require re-acceptance of the updated policy
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.
14. Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:
General Contact
- Email: info@missingpeoplesapp.com
- Phone: +1 (352) 214-4339
- Response Time: Within 48 hours for privacy-related inquiries
Mailing Address
Missing Persons App (MPA)Privacy Department
Gainesville, FL 32601
United States
15. Acknowledgment and Agreement
By using the Missing Persons App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our services.
This Privacy Policy is an integral part of MPA's Terms of Service and should be read in conjunction with our other legal documents.