Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Travel Guide Uzbekistan ("TGU", "we", "our", or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience when using our mobile application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application available on iOS and Android platforms.

Travel Guide Uzbekistan is a comprehensive travel guide application designed to help tourists explore the beautiful country of Uzbekistan, including cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and many other destinations. Our app provides rich travel content, interactive maps, and detailed information about tourist attractions without requiring access to your personal location data.

Privacy First: Our app does NOT access your location. We only collect anonymous analytics data to improve app performance and user experience.

By using our app, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our app.

2. Information We Collect

Important: Our app does NOT collect or access your location data. You can explore all travel information and maps without sharing your location.

2.1 Automatically Collected Information

When you use our app, we automatically collect certain information for analytics and performance purposes:

Device Information: Device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers
Usage Data: App features accessed, pages viewed, time spent on different sections, user interactions
Network Information: Internet connectivity status to ensure optimal app performance
Crash Reports: Technical data about app crashes or errors to improve stability and reliability
Performance Metrics: App loading times, screen rendering performance, and other technical metrics

2.2 Information You Provide

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

Share content from the app with others using the share feature
Submit feedback or contact us for support
Interact with app features and content

2.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

For your privacy and peace of mind, we want to be clear about what we do NOT collect:

Location Data: We do not access or collect your GPS location or precise location data
Personal Identification: We do not collect names, email addresses, or phone numbers
Financial Information: We do not collect credit card or payment information
Contacts or Photos: We do not access your contacts, photos, or other personal files

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information solely for the following purposes:

Provide Core Functionality: Ensure the app works properly and displays travel information, maps, and attraction details effectively
App Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze app usage patterns to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance features
Analytics: Understand how users interact with our app through Firebase Analytics to improve content and user experience
Crash Reporting: Identify and resolve technical issues through Firebase Crashlytics to ensure app stability
Performance Monitoring: Track app performance metrics (loading times, rendering speed) through Firebase Performance to ensure smooth operation
Feature Improvement: Determine which features are most popular to prioritize future development
Customer Support: Respond to your inquiries and provide technical assistance when you contact us

No Personalization: Since we don't collect location or personal data, we cannot and do not create personalized user profiles or targeted experiences.

4. Third-Party Services

Our app integrates with the following third-party services:

4.1 Google Maps Platform

We use Google Maps APIs to display interactive maps and show locations of tourist attractions in Uzbekistan. Important: The maps are displayed for viewing purposes only - we do not track or collect your location when you view maps. Google's privacy policy applies to the use of their mapping services: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.2 Firebase Services (by Google)

We use the following Firebase services to improve app quality and performance:

Firebase Analytics: Collects anonymous usage data and aggregated user behavior patterns to help us understand which features are most used and how we can improve the app
Firebase Crashlytics: Automatically collects crash reports and technical data when the app encounters errors, helping us identify and fix bugs quickly
Firebase Performance Monitoring: Tracks app performance metrics like screen load times and network request speeds to ensure optimal performance

All Firebase data collection is anonymous and does not include personally identifiable information. Firebase's data practices are subject to Google's privacy policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

Analytics Enabled: Analytics storage is enabled by default to help us improve the app. All data collected is anonymous and aggregated. No personal information is collected or shared.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We value your privacy and are committed to minimal data sharing. Here's our approach:

We do NOT sell your data: We never sell, trade, or rent any information to third parties.

We share limited anonymous data only in the following circumstances:

With Service Providers: Anonymous analytics and crash data is shared with Firebase (Google) solely for app performance monitoring and improvement. This data cannot be used to identify you personally.
For Legal Reasons: If required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, we may need to disclose information
To Protect Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of TGU, our users, or others in cases of suspected fraud or security threats
With Your Consent: When you explicitly choose to share content from the app (e.g., using the share feature to send information to friends)
Aggregated Data: We may share aggregated, non-identifiable statistics about app usage (e.g., "80% of users view Samarkand attractions") for analytical or marketing purposes

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

Secure data transmission using HTTPS protocols
Encryption of data in transit
Regular security assessments and updates
Access controls and authentication measures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

8. Your Privacy Rights

We respect your privacy rights. Since we only collect anonymous analytics data and do not maintain user accounts or personal information databases, your rights include:

Transparency: This privacy policy fully discloses what data we collect and how we use it
Opt-Out: You can disable analytics by adjusting your device settings or contacting us
Data Minimization: We only collect the minimum data necessary for app functionality and improvement
Anonymous Usage: You can use our app without providing any personal information
Uninstall: You can stop all data collection at any time by uninstalling the app from your device

Important Note: Since we don't collect personally identifiable information, we cannot link any stored data to individual users. All analytics data is anonymous and aggregated.

If you have questions about your privacy rights or our data practices, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section.

9. Children's Privacy

Our app is designed for general audiences and does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your jurisdiction). If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction. By using our app, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.

We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated through the app or other appropriate means. Your continued use of the app after changes are made constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Permissions Required

Our app requires minimal permissions to function properly:

Android Permissions:

Internet Access: Required to load maps, attraction information, images, and online content
Network State: To check internet connectivity and provide appropriate user experience when offline or online

iOS Permissions:

Internet Access: Required to load maps, attraction information, and online content

No Location Permission: Unlike many travel apps, we do NOT request access to your device location. You can explore all features and content without sharing where you are.

All permissions are requested only when needed and with clear explanations of why they are required for app functionality.

13. Analytics and Tracking

We use Firebase Analytics to understand how users interact with our app. This helps us improve features, content, and user experience.

What We Track:

Which screens and features are viewed most frequently
How long users spend in different sections of the app
App crashes and technical errors (via Firebase Crashlytics)
App performance metrics like loading times (via Firebase Performance)
General usage patterns and navigation flows

What We DON'T Track:

Your location or where you travel
Personal identifying information
Your browsing activity outside our app
Your contacts, photos, or other device data

Anonymous by Design: All analytics data is collected anonymously. Firebase generates random identifiers that cannot be used to identify you personally. Data is aggregated across all users to identify trends and patterns.

Analytics storage is enabled by default to help us continually improve the app. If you prefer to opt-out, you can contact us or adjust your device's privacy settings.

14. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Since our app only collects anonymous analytics data and does not collect personal information that can identify you:

No Personal Information Sale: We do not sell personal information
Anonymous Data Only: The data we collect cannot be linked to you personally
Transparency: This privacy policy provides complete disclosure of our data practices
Opt-Out Rights: You can opt-out of analytics collection by contacting us

Since we don't maintain databases of personal information linked to specific users, traditional CCPA data access and deletion requests may not apply. However, we're committed to transparency and will address any concerns you may have about our data practices.

15. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our legal basis for processing anonymous analytics data includes:

Legitimate Interests: We process anonymous analytics data based on our legitimate interest in operating, maintaining, and improving our app services for all users
Consent: Analytics storage is enabled by default, but you can opt-out at any time

Your GDPR Rights:

Right to Information: This policy provides transparent information about our data processing
Right to Object: You can object to analytics processing by contacting us
Right to Erasure: You can request cessation of data collection by uninstalling the app
Right to Lodge a Complaint: You can file a complaint with your local data protection authority

Important: Since we only collect anonymous, non-identifying analytics data, we cannot link any collected information to specific individuals. This means traditional data access and portability requests may not be applicable.

17. Acceptance of This Policy

By using Travel Guide Uzbekistan, you signify your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our app. Your continued use of the app following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.