Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Coast mobile application (the “App”).

The App is designed to facilitate communication, collaboration, and community engagement among members of the Brotherhood of the Coast, an international maritime fraternity.

We respect the privacy of our members and are committed to protecting their personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, shared, and protected when using the App on Android and iOS devices.

By using the App, you acknowledge the data practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

Depending on the features you use, we may collect and process the following information.

2.1 Personal and Membership Information

• Full name and membership identity
• Email address and telephone number
• Country, local Table, and membership affiliation
• Profile photograph
• Membership status and relevant community information
• Other information voluntarily provided in your member profile

This information is used to identify members, maintain the membership directory, and facilitate communication within the Brotherhood.

2.2 Account and Authentication Information

To provide secure access to the App, we may process:

• User account identifiers
• Email addresses or other authentication credentials
• Login and authentication activity
• Device identifiers or authentication tokens

Authentication services may be provided through Google Firebase Authentication.

2.3 Location Information

The App may offer location-based functionality, including:

• Voluntary location check-ins
• Event attendance and check-ins
• Optional live location sharing with authorized members while the feature is enabled
• Displaying member locations on maps, where enabled

Location access is requested through the device’s permission system when required. The App supports both check-ins and optional live location sharing. Depending on how the feature is implemented and the permissions granted, location updates may continue while live sharing is active. Users can stop sharing through the available App controls or revoke location permissions in device settings.

Location information is used to support the relevant community feature and is shared with other members only according to the feature’s access controls.

Users can manage location permissions through their device settings.

Disabling location permissions may limit certain location-based features.

2.4 Messages and Communications

The App may allow members to exchange private or group messages.

We may process:

• Message content
• Sender and recipient identifiers
• Message timestamps
• Photographs, files, and documents shared in conversations
• Group membership information

Messages are stored and processed to provide the App’s communication services.

Depending on the App’s technical configuration, authorized administrators or service providers may have limited access to stored communications for legitimate operational, security, or legal purposes.

2.5 Photos, Documents, and Uploaded Content

Members may voluntarily upload photographs, documents, and other content related to community activities.

Uploaded content may be stored using Firebase Cloud Storage or other configured storage services.

Content may be accessible to authorized members according to the permissions and visibility settings of the relevant feature.

Users should avoid uploading confidential or sensitive information that they do not wish to share with the intended audience.

2.6 Events and Participation

We may collect information concerning:

• Event registrations
• Attendance and check-ins
• Event participation history
• Community activities
• Member-submitted event information

This information is used to organize events, manage attendance, and support community activities.

2.7 Technical and Usage Information

The App and its integrated services may automatically collect technical information, such as:

• Device type and operating system
• App version
• Device or installation identifiers
• App interactions and feature usage
• Crash reports and diagnostic information
• Authentication and security events

This information helps maintain the App, troubleshoot technical issues, improve performance, and protect user accounts.

3. How We Use Your Information

We process personal information for the following purposes:

1. To provide and maintain the App.
2. To verify membership and manage user accounts.
3. To maintain the Brotherhood membership directory.
4. To enable communications between members.
5. To organize events and manage registrations.
6. To provide voluntary location-sharing and check-in features.
7. To deliver relevant notifications and announcements.
8. To maintain security and prevent unauthorized access.
9. To diagnose technical problems and improve the App.
10. To comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not use personal information for purposes unrelated to the App’s operation without an appropriate legal basis.

4. Sharing of Information

Personal information may be shared with the following parties when necessary.

4.1 Other Brotherhood Members

Information such as member names, profile photographs, membership affiliations, and contact details may be visible to other authorized members through the directory.

Messages, event participation information, and voluntarily shared locations may be visible to their intended recipients or authorized participants.

4.2 Authorized Administrators

Designated administrators may access information necessary to:

• Maintain membership records
• Verify and manage accounts
• Organize community activities
• Moderate content
• Resolve technical or security issues

Administrative access should be restricted according to assigned responsibilities.

4.3 Service Providers

The App uses Google Firebase services, which may include:

• Firebase Authentication
• Cloud Firestore
• Firebase Cloud Storage
• Firebase Cloud Messaging
• Firebase Analytics
• Firebase Crashlytics

These services may process personal and technical data to provide authentication, database storage, messaging, notifications, analytics, and diagnostics.

For additional information, please refer to the Google Privacy Policy.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, or legal proceedings, or to protect the rights and security of members and the App.

We do not sell members’ personal information to data brokers or advertisers.

5. Data Storage and Security

The App uses cloud-based infrastructure, including Google Firebase, to store and process information.

We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information, including:

• Authentication and access controls
• Role-based permissions
• Encrypted network communications
• Restricted access to stored data
• Security monitoring and maintenance

Although we take reasonable precautions, no electronic storage or transmission system can guarantee absolute security.

6. International Data Processing

Because the Brotherhood of the Coast is an international community, personal information may be processed or accessed from different countries.

Cloud service providers may store or process information outside the user’s country of residence.

Where required by applicable law, appropriate safeguards will be used for international transfers of personal information.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the App’s services, maintain membership records, fulfill legitimate operational requirements, and comply with applicable legal obligations.

Retention periods may differ according to the type of information.

For example:

• Profile and account information may be retained while an account remains active.
• Messages and shared content may be retained while needed for the communication service.
• Event records may be retained for community administration and historical purposes.
• Technical and diagnostic records may be retained for security and troubleshooting.

When information is no longer required, it will be deleted or anonymized, subject to applicable legal obligations and legitimate retention requirements.

8. User Rights and Choices

Subject to applicable laws, users may have the right to:

• Access their personal information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of their personal information
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Restrict or object to certain processing
• Request a copy of their information where applicable

Members may also control certain privacy settings and device permissions.

Requests may be submitted using the contact details provided below.

9. Account and Data Deletion

Members can initiate deletion of their own account directly within the App using its account deletion feature. They may also contact the developer to request assistance or deletion of eligible personal information.

Deletion contact: c.gibran@accessibilities.com

When a member initiates account deletion, the account and associated personal data will be deleted in accordance with the App’s deletion process, except information that must or may lawfully be retained. Requests sent by email may require identity verification.

Content shared with other members, such as messages and event contributions, will be handled according to applicable legal requirements and the App’s deletion procedures. Any retained content will be minimized or anonymized where appropriate.

Users may also request deletion of specific personal information without necessarily requesting deletion of their entire account, where supported.

10. Push Notifications

The App may send notifications concerning:

• Brotherhood announcements
• Events and invitations
• New messages
• Membership-related updates
• Other relevant community activities

Push notifications may be delivered using Firebase Cloud Messaging.

Users can disable notifications through their device settings.

11. Children’s Privacy

The App is intended for authorized members of the Brotherhood of the Coast and is not directed toward children under the age of 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13.

If we become aware that such information has been collected without an appropriate legal basis or required authorization, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

12. Third-Party Services and External Links

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of independent third-party websites.

Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of those services before providing personal information.

13. Legal Basis for Processing

Where the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or similar privacy legislation applies, personal information may be processed on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Consent, for optional features where required
• Performance of a contract or provision of requested membership services
• Legitimate interests in operating and securing the community platform, where not overridden by individual rights
• Compliance with applicable legal obligations

Users may contact us for further information about the legal basis applicable to particular processing activities.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the App, its features, applicable laws, or data-processing practices.

Updates will be published on the official Privacy Policy page with a revised effective date.

Where required, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before implementing material changes.

15. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal information, please contact:

Application: Brotherhood of the Coast
Developer / Data Controller: Christophe Gibran
Email: c.gibran@accessibilities.com

We will review privacy-related requests and respond in accordance with applicable legal requirements.