Earther Connect

1. Introduction

Earther ("we," "our," or "us") operates the Earther Connect mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App.

Earther Connect is an internal communication platform designed for organizations. The App allows authorized employees to participate in company channels, share posts with media and mentions, react and comment on content, and exchange direct messages — all within their organization's workspace.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

• Account Information: Name, email address, employee ID, and user credentials
• Company Information: Company name, department, designation, role, and site assignment
• Contact Details: Phone number (if provided)

2.2 User-Generated Content

When you use the App, we collect and store content you create, including:

• Channel posts, including text body and @mentions of other users
• Comments and emoji reactions on posts (Like, Love, Haha, Wow, Sad, Angry)
• Direct messages, including message text and forwarded messages
• Media files attached to posts or messages: images, videos, and documents (PDF, Word, Excel, and other file types) up to 20 MB per file, up to 10 files per post
• Edits and deletions of your own content

2.3 Device Information

When you register for push notifications, we collect minimal device information to deliver notifications reliably:

• Device type and model
• Operating system name and version
• App version
• Expo push token (a unique identifier used exclusively to route push notifications to your device)

2.4 Camera and Photo Library

When you use features that require capturing or attaching media, the App may request access to your device's camera to take photos of job site images and equipment, and access to your photo library to select and upload existing photos such as equipment images and site documentation. These images are uploaded to your organization's secure cloud storage and are accessible only to authorized members of your channels or direct message recipients. The App does not access your camera or photo library without your explicit action and permission.

2.5 Usage Data

• Login times and session activity
• Channels joined, posts viewed, and reactions made
• Message read receipts (whether a message has been read by the recipient)
• App performance and crash data

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Core Communication: To enable channel-based posts, comments, reactions, and direct messaging within your organization
• Media Sharing: To upload, store, and deliver images (including camera-captured photos), videos, and documents attached to posts and messages
• Mentions and Notifications: To notify users when they are @mentioned in a post and to deliver relevant channel activity updates
• Channel Management: To create and manage channels scoped to specific sites or departments, and to enforce role-based permissions (admin vs. member)
• Read Receipts: To indicate to message senders whether their direct message has been read by the recipient
• Push Notifications: To send push notifications about new direct messages, channel posts, mentions, and other relevant activity
• Authentication: To verify your identity and maintain secure access to the App
• Performance Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve App functionality
• Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries and provide technical assistance
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or security vulnerabilities

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 Within Your Organization

Posts, comments, reactions, media files, and other content you publish in channels are visible to all members of those channels within your organization. Direct messages are visible only to you and the recipient. Channel administrators can view member lists and manage channel content.

4.2 Service Providers

We may share data with third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Cloud hosting and secure data storage (including uploaded media files)
• Push notification delivery (e.g., Firebase Cloud Messaging via Expo)
• Analytics and performance monitoring

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and may not use it for any purpose other than providing services to us.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests by public authorities.

5. Media Files and User Content

Images, videos, and documents you attach to posts or direct messages are uploaded to our secure cloud storage. Please be aware:

• Media files uploaded to a channel post are accessible to all members of that channel
• Media files sent in direct messages are accessible only to you and the recipient
• Video files generate a thumbnail image stored alongside the video for display purposes
• Files uploaded to our storage are transmitted over HTTPS and stored with encryption at rest
• Deleting a post or message removes the content from display; associated media files are removed from storage in accordance with our data retention schedule

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest
• Secure authentication mechanisms with session management
• Role-based access controls limiting channel and content access to authorized members
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability monitoring

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

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide the App's communication services during active employment
• Maintain channel content and message history as required by your organization
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

When your organization terminates its use of the App or upon your verified request, we will delete or anonymize your personal information and associated content, except where retention is required by applicable law or your organization's policies.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information and user-generated content
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service

To exercise these rights, please contact us or your organization's administrator using the information provided below.

9. Push Notifications

The App uses Expo push notifications to alert you about new direct messages, channel posts, mentions, and other activity. Specifically:

• An Expo push token is registered with our backend when you log in and grant notification permission
• The push token is scoped to the 'connect' app and is used only to route notifications relevant to Earther Connect
• The push token is unregistered from our backend when you log out

You can manage notification permissions through your device settings:

• iOS: Settings → Notifications → Earther Connect
• Android: Settings → Apps → Earther Connect → Notifications

Disabling notifications will not affect your ability to use the App; you will simply not receive background alerts.

10. Third-Party Services

The App uses the following third-party services:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging (via Expo): For push notification delivery
• Expo (by Expo Inc.): Mobile application framework and over-the-air update delivery

We encourage you to review their privacy policies: Google Privacy Policy · Expo Privacy Policy

11. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for business use by employees of registered organizations and is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending an in-app notification (for material changes)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

14. Contact Us

15. Consent

By using Earther Connect, you consent to this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.