Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025

Welcome to Explore Jordan ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience using our mobile application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Explore Jordan mobile application ("App").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you register for an account or use our services, we may collect:

Email Address: Used for account creation, authentication via OTP, and communication
Phone Number: Optional, used for account recovery and notifications
Name: Used to personalize your experience
Profile Photo: Optional, used to personalize your account

1.2 Location Information

With your explicit permission, we collect:

Precise Location: To show nearby places, provide directions, and enable location-based features such as radius search for discovering places within a specific distance
Location Permission Status: We store whether you have granted or denied location permission to provide appropriate app functionality

Important: Location data is processed on your device and sent to our servers only when necessary to provide location-based services. You can disable location services at any time through your device settings (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Explore Jordan). Disabling location may limit features such as nearby place discovery and radius-based search.

1.3 Usage Information

We automatically collect:

Places you mark as "Been There" or "Want to Go"
Search queries and filters you use
Categories and subcategories you browse (Accommodations, Culture, Tours, Guides)
App features you interact with
Date and time of your visits to the App
Device information (device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers)
App version and performance data

1.4 Push Notification Data

If you enable push notifications, we collect:

Device Token: A unique identifier provided by Apple to deliver notifications to your device
Notification Preferences: Your choices about which notifications to receive

You can manage notification preferences in your device settings (Settings > Notifications > Explore Jordan) or disable them entirely at any time.

1.5 Contact Form Information

When you contact us through the App's Contact Us feature, we collect:

Your email address
Phone number (if provided)
Message content

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

Account Management: To create and manage your user account, send OTP verification codes
Personalization: To remember your saved places ("Want to Go" and "Been There" lists) and preferences
Location Services: To show places near you, enable radius-based search, and provide navigation through Google Maps integration
Content Delivery: To display Place of the Day recommendations and relevant places based on your interests
Push Notifications: To send you updates about new places, features, and relevant travel information (only if you opt-in)
Communication: To respond to inquiries submitted through Contact Us, and provide customer support
Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, improve our App, and enhance user experience
Safety: To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security issues

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

We may share your information only in these limited circumstances:

Service Providers: With trusted third parties who assist us in operating the App, subject to confidentiality agreements:
- Cloud hosting services for data storage
- Map service providers (Mapbox) for interactive maps
- Analytics services for app improvement
- Push notification services (Firebase Cloud Messaging)
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
Protection: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Explore Jordan, our users, or others
Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (you will be notified)
With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share information

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

All data transmission uses TLS/SSL encryption (HTTPS)
Passwords are never stored in plain text
OTP codes expire after a short time period
Secure server infrastructure with regular security updates
Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only
Regular security assessments and monitoring

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data to the best of our ability.

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

Your account is active
Needed to provide you services
Required to comply with legal obligations
Necessary to resolve disputes or enforce agreements

Account Deletion: When you delete your account through the app or by contacting us, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law. Cached data on your device can be cleared by uninstalling the app.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Access: Request a copy of your personal data we hold
Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information through your profile settings
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
Location Opt-out: Disable location services through device settings at any time
Notification Opt-out: Disable push notifications through device settings
Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@explorejordan.org or through the Contact Us feature in the App. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Third-Party Services

Our App integrates with third-party services that have their own privacy practices:

Mapbox: Provides interactive maps and location services
Privacy Policy: mapbox.com/legal/privacy
Google Maps: Provides directions and navigation
Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
Firebase (Google): Provides push notifications, analytics, and crash reporting
Privacy Policy: firebase.google.com/support/privacy

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services.

8. Local Storage and Caching

Our App uses local storage on your device to:

Remember your login session securely
Store your language and theme preferences
Cache map tiles for improved performance
Store your saved places locally for quick access

This data remains on your device and can be cleared by:

Logging out of the App
Clearing app data in device settings
Uninstalling the App

9. Children's Privacy

Explore Jordan is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at info@explorejordan.org.

Upon verification, we will promptly delete such information from our records.

10. International Data Transfers

Explore Jordan is operated from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. If you are accessing our App from outside Jordan (including the European Union, United Kingdom, or other regions), please be aware that:

Your information may be transferred to and processed in Jordan
Data protection laws in Jordan may differ from your country of residence
By using the App, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in Jordan

We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your data is protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy regardless of where it is processed.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know: You can request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected
Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information
Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights
No Sale of Personal Information: We do not sell your personal information to third parties

To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at info@explorejordan.org.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:

We will post the new Privacy Policy in the App
We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
For material changes, we will notify you through the App or via email

Your continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: info@explorejordan.org
WhatsApp: +962 79 380 7938
Website: www.explorejordan.org
In-App: Through the Contact Us feature

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.

Explore Jordan is committed to helping you discover the beauty of Jordan while protecting your privacy and personal information.