Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Dinghy Coach provides tools for sailors and coaches to record and review sailing sessions. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how it is used, and how it is protected.

Dinghy Coach is designed to minimise personal data collection. Features work without accounts or user registration.

Dinghy Coach does not require user accounts and does not intentionally collect personally identifiable information as part of normal operation.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information recorded during a sailing session

When you use the Dinghy Coach Android app to record a session, the app may record:

• GPS location data
• Timestamped track data
• Boat or sailor label (if entered by the user)
• Device information such as app version

This information is used solely to record and replay sailing sessions.

The Android application records this telemetry locally in track files.

2.2 Voice communication

The app may access the device microphone in coaching mode to support communication between sailors and coaches.

2.3 Permissions used by the Android app

The Android app may request the following permissions in order to operate core features of the application:

Location

• ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
• ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION

Used to record sailing tracks and compute speed, heading, and session telemetry.

Microphone

• RECORD_AUDIO

Used for push-to-talk voice communication between coach and sailors while the microphone button is pressed.

Network communication

• INTERNET

Required to upload recorded tracks and communicate with Dinghy Coach services.

Foreground operation

• FOREGROUND_SERVICE
• FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CONNECTED_DEVICE

Used to allow recording and communication features to continue reliably while the app is active during a sailing session.

Battery optimization management

• REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS

Allows the app to continue recording telemetry during long sailing sessions without interruption from aggressive battery management.

Bluetooth connectivity

• BLUETOOTH (maxSdkVersion=30)
• BLUETOOTH_ADMIN (maxSdkVersion=30)
• BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE
• BLUETOOTH_CONNECT
• BLUETOOTH_SCAN

Used for device discovery and communication between nearby devices during coaching sessions.

Wi‑Fi connectivity and nearby device discovery

• ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
• CHANGE_WIFI_STATE
• NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES

These permissions may be used on some Android versions or device/network paths to support nearby connectivity between coach and sailor devices. Core nearby operation primarily relies on Bluetooth permissions, and behavior may vary by OS version and device capabilities.

These permissions are only used for the core functionality of the Dinghy Coach application.

2.4 Nearby device communication

Dinghy Coach may allow nearby devices (such as a coach device and multiple sailor devices) to communicate directly during a sailing session.

This communication may use Bluetooth or local Wi‑Fi networking to discover nearby devices and exchange small amounts of coordination data required for coaching features.

Nearby device communication is only active during coaching sessions and is used solely to support real‑time coordination between participating devices. No personal data is collected through this mechanism beyond what is required for the operation of the session.

2.5 Cloud track storage

Dinghy Coach uploads sailing tracks to secure cloud storage for later retrieval and analysis.

If this feature is used, the following metadata may be stored:

• Track start time
• Approximate start location
• Boat label (if provided)
• Device/app version
• File metadata (size, checksum)

Track files themselves may be stored in secure cloud object storage.

In Dinghy Coach, cloud tracks may be discoverable to other users of the service, and saved sessions may be publicly listable/readable via the web debrief flow. Session overwrite is protected by a device-held write token rather than account login. Users should avoid including personal information in labels or shared session content.

3. How We Use Information

We use collected information only to:

• Record sailing sessions
• Display and replay sailing tracks
• Enable coach-to-sailor communication
• Allow sessions to be analysed in the web debrief tool
• Improve reliability and performance of the application

We do not sell or trade user data.

4. Data Storage

Depending on how the app is used:

Local storage

Session data and track recordings are stored locally on the user's device.

Cloud storage

Track files and associated metadata is stored on secure cloud infrastructure to enable retrieval and analysis.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell personal information.

Information may only be shared:

• When necessary to operate the service (for example, cloud storage and hosting providers)
• As part of Dinghy Coach's core v1 access model, where cloud tracks may be discoverable and saved sessions may be publicly listable/readable through the web debrief flow
• If required by law
• When a user intentionally shares a link to a saved session or setup

6. Data Retention

Track recordings remain stored:

• On your device until deleted
• On cloud storage until removed or deleted by administrators

Users may delete sessions locally from the app where supported.

7. Children's Privacy

Dinghy Coach is not directed at children under 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

8. Security

We take reasonable steps to protect stored data, including:

• Secure cloud storage
• Restricted access to administrative tools
• Encrypted network communication where applicable

9. Third-Party Services

Dinghy Coach may rely on third-party infrastructure providers to operate the service, such as cloud storage or hosting platforms. These providers only process data necessary to deliver the service.

10. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Updated versions will be published on the Dinghy Coach website.

11. Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact: privacy@dinghy.coach

Dinghy Coach
Website: https://dinghy.coach