Privacy Policy - SnowChile

At TryAgain, we highly prioritize the privacy and security of our users. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard the information you provide when using our weather application, SnowChile - the definitive app for snow lovers in Chile.

1. About SnowChile

SnowChile is a specialized weather information application designed for snow and ski enthusiasts in Chile. Our app provides:

• Real-Time Weather Data: Current conditions including temperature, wind, humidity, and snow conditions updated every minute.
• 7-Day Weather Forecasts: Extended weather predictions for planning ski trips and mountain adventures.
• 16 Ski Centers Coverage: Comprehensive information for ski resorts from Metropolitan Region to Magallanes, including Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado, Portillo, and others.
• Location Services: GPS-based distance calculations to help find the nearest ski centers.
• Snow Alerts: Personalized notifications about optimal snow conditions.
• Live Cameras: Real-time visual conditions from ski centers when available.
• Weather History: Historical meteorological data for trend analysis and planning.

2. Information We Collect

We collect minimal information necessary to provide our weather services:

• Location Data: Your device's GPS coordinates to calculate distances to ski centers and provide location-specific weather information. This data is only used when you grant location permissions.
• App Usage Data: Information about which ski centers you view, favorite locations you save, weather alerts you configure, and general app navigation patterns.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, app version, and basic device identifiers for technical support and app optimization.
• Weather Preferences: Your saved favorite ski centers, preferred units of measurement (Celsius/Fahrenheit), and notification settings.
• Technical Data: App performance metrics, crash reports, and error logs to improve functionality and user experience.
• Network Information: IP address and general location information for weather data delivery and regional content optimization.

3. Third-Party Weather Data Services

SnowChile relies on external weather data providers to deliver accurate and up-to-date information:

• OpenWeatherMap API: Our primary weather data source providing real-time conditions, forecasts, and historical weather information. OpenWeatherMap may collect anonymized location data and API usage statistics according to their privacy policy.
• Additional Weather Sources: We may integrate supplementary weather data from other meteorological services to enhance accuracy and coverage.
• Ski Resort Information: Public information from ski center websites, social media, and official sources for resort details, web links, and operational status.
• Live Camera Feeds: When available, we provide links to public webcams operated by ski resorts and weather stations.

4. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used exclusively to enhance your snow and weather experience:

• Provide accurate, real-time weather conditions for Chilean ski centers and mountain regions.
• Calculate and display distances from your location to various ski resorts.
• Deliver personalized weather alerts and snow condition notifications based on your preferences.
• Maintain your favorite ski centers list and preferred settings across app sessions.
• Optimize weather data delivery based on your geographic region and local conditions.
• Improve app performance, fix technical issues, and enhance user interface based on usage patterns.
• Provide relevant weather forecasts and recommendations for ski conditions.
• Analyze general usage trends to improve weather data accuracy and app functionality.
• Ensure app compatibility with different devices and operating system versions.
• Deliver location-appropriate content and regional weather information.

5. Location Data and Privacy

Location privacy is particularly important for a weather application like SnowChile:

• Precise Location: Used only to calculate distances to ski centers and provide location-specific weather conditions. Your exact location is never stored permanently or shared with third parties.
• Approximate Location: We may use general regional location (city/region level) to deliver appropriate weather data and regional content.
• Location Permissions: You can deny location access and still use the app by manually selecting ski centers from our list.
• Background Location: We do not access your location when the app is not in active use, unless you specifically enable location-based alerts.
• Location Data Retention: Precise location coordinates are not stored; only general regional information may be temporarily cached for weather data optimization.
• Location Settings: You can modify or revoke location permissions at any time through your device settings.

6. Data Security and Storage

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

• All data transmission between your device and our servers is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols.
• Weather data and app preferences are stored securely with appropriate access controls and encryption.
• Location data is processed in real-time and not permanently stored on our servers.
• User preferences and favorites are stored locally on your device with optional cloud backup for multi-device synchronization.
• Regular security audits and updates are performed to maintain data protection standards.
• Access to user data is strictly limited to authorized personnel for technical support and app improvement purposes.
• Automated systems monitor for unauthorized access attempts and security threats.

7. Push Notifications and Alerts

SnowChile offers weather alert services to enhance your snow experience:

• Snow Condition Alerts: Notifications about optimal snow conditions at your favorite ski centers.
• Weather Warnings: Important alerts about severe weather conditions that may affect skiing safety.
• Forecast Updates: Periodic updates about changing weather conditions and forecasts.
• Personalized Notifications: Customizable alerts based on your preferred ski centers and weather thresholds.
• Notification Control: You can enable, disable, or customize all notification types through app settings.
• Opt-Out Options: Complete opt-out from all notifications is available at any time.
• Notification Data: We may collect data about notification delivery and engagement to improve alert relevance and timing.

8. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information. Limited data sharing may occur in these circumstances:

• Weather Data Providers: Anonymized location data may be shared with OpenWeatherMap and other weather services solely for obtaining accurate weather information.
• Technical Service Providers: Third-party services that help us operate the app, such as cloud hosting, analytics, and crash reporting services.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation, particularly regarding public safety and emergency weather conditions.
• Safety and Security: To protect users' safety during severe weather events or prevent misuse of the application.
• Business Transfers: In the unlikely event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, user data may be transferred as part of the transaction.
• Aggregated Data: Anonymized, aggregated usage statistics may be used for research, weather pattern analysis, and service improvement.

9. Analytics and App Improvement

We use analytics to improve SnowChile's functionality and user experience:

• App usage patterns to identify popular ski centers and frequently accessed features.
• Performance metrics to optimize app speed and reduce loading times for weather data.
• Crash reports and error logs to identify and fix technical issues.
• User interface interaction data to improve app navigation and design.
• Weather data accuracy feedback to enhance forecast reliability.
• Regional usage patterns to optimize server performance and data delivery.
• All analytics data is anonymized and aggregated to protect individual privacy.

10. Children's Privacy

SnowChile is designed as a family-friendly weather information app:

• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age.
• The app does not require account creation or personal information input, making it safe for family use.
• Parents should supervise children's use of location services and notification settings.
• If we discover that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete such information immediately.
• Parents can contact us to request information about their child's data or request deletion of any collected information.

11. Your Data Protection Rights

You have comprehensive rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request information about what personal data we have collected and how it is used.
• Rectification: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data, including favorites, preferences, and usage history.
• Restriction: Request limitation of data processing under certain circumstances.
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal data for specific purposes.
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data (favorites, settings) to another weather application.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Revoke consent for location access, notifications, or data collection at any time.

12. International Data Transfers

SnowChile operates with international weather data services:

• Weather data may be processed by OpenWeatherMap servers located in various countries.
• We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for any international data transfers.
• Data processing complies with applicable Chilean and international privacy laws.
• Regional data residency requirements are respected where legally mandated.

13. Data Retention

We retain different types of data for varying periods:

• Location Data: Not permanently stored; processed in real-time for distance calculations.
• App Preferences: Retained locally on your device and in cloud backup until you delete the app or clear data.
• Usage Analytics: Anonymized data may be retained for up to 24 months for app improvement purposes.
• Technical Data: Crash reports and error logs retained for 12 months for technical support.
• Weather History: Historical weather data may be cached temporarily for app performance optimization.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements:

• Material changes will be communicated through app notifications or update notes.
• Continued use of SnowChile after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
• We will maintain version history and effective dates for transparency.
• Users will be notified of significant changes that affect data collection or usage.

15. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or your personal data:

• General Support: hello@tryagain.app
• Privacy Concerns: privacy@tryagain.app
• Technical Support: support@tryagain.app

Last updated: [Current Date]
This privacy policy is specific to SnowChile and covers our weather information services for Chilean ski centers and mountain regions.