1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Dog Friendly Oy (“Dog Friendly”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data when you access or use Dog Friendly services (the “Service”).

The Service includes:

• the Dog Friendly website;

• the Dog Friendly mobile application; and

• related features, content, communications, and services provided by Dog Friendly.

 

Dog Friendly is operated by Dog Friendly Oy, a company registered in Finland under Business ID 3590920-6.

We process personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Finnish data protection legislation.
By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

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2. Data Controller

Data Controller: Dog Friendly Oy
Business ID: 3590920-6
Finland
Email: info@dogfriendly.fi

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3. Scope of this Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all Dog Friendly services unless stated otherwise.

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This includes:

• use of the website,

• use of the mobile application,

• creation and management of user accounts,

• creation and management of business and service-provider accounts,

• participation in the Dog Friendly Partner programme, including Partner-related forms, communications and requests,

• communications with Dog Friendly,

• submission or management of Place and Service information, suggestions, feedback, reports, photos, support requests, or other content,

• use of location-based, notification, and other Service features.

The website may be used as the central location for accessing this Privacy Policy, including when accessed via the mobile application.

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Certain features may rely on third-party providers which process personal data under their own privacy policies.

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4. Personal Data Collected

Dog Friendly follows a data minimisation approach and collects only personal data necessary to operate, maintain, improve, and secure the Service.

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Depending on how you use the Service, we may process:

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a) Technical and Usage Data

Automatically collected data may include:

• IP address (or anonymised version),

• device type and operating system,

• browser type and version,

• app usage information,

• session information,

• timestamps and session data,

• crash reports and diagnostic information.

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b) Location Data

When using map-based functionality:

• approximate location data may be processed to show relevant Places and Services,

• precise location data may be processed only when permission is granted by the user,

• Dog Friendly does not continuously track user location,

• location data is used solely to provide location-based functionality.

 

c) Account and Contact Data as a User

When creating an account or contacting Dog Friendly, we may collect:

• name,

• email address,

• phone number (optional),

• profile information,

• account credentials,

• feedback, preferences, or submitted content,

• communications sent to Dog Friendly.

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d) Business and Service Provider Data

When using business or service-provider features, we may process:

• business or service-provider name,

• business address and location information,

• business contact details,

• information relating to a Place or Service, including dog policies, amenities, services offered and opening hours,

• photographs, website links and social media information,

• information submitted for public display,

• information relating to claiming, creating, editing or managing a listing,

• contact-person information provided in connection with a business or service provider,

• information submitted through Partner-related forms or communications,

• information relating to participation in the Dog Friendly Partner programme, and

• delivery or contact information provided when requesting Partner materials or other physical items.

Some business information may not constitute personal data. However, information relating to an identifiable individual, including sole traders or individual service providers, may constitute personal data and will be processed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

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e) User Content

Users and businesses may voluntarily submit:

• Place and Service suggestions,

• listing information and updates,

• reports,

• photos,

• feedback,

• support requests,

• other content submitted through the Service.

Submitted content may be associated with the user's account where necessary to operate, moderate, secure or manage the Service.

Dog Friendly does not intentionally request special categories of personal data through these features. Users should avoid submitting unnecessary sensitive personal information.

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f) Notification and Communication Data

Where notification or communication features are used, we may process:

• device or push notification tokens,

• device platform information,

• notification preferences,

• email verification status,

• newsletter or marketing communication preferences,

• information necessary to send account, security, technical or Service-related communications.

Push notifications may be controlled through the user's device settings. Marketing communications may be unsubscribed from at any time using the method provided in the relevant communication.

 

5. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data only where a lawful basis exists under the GDPR.
Depending on the purpose and circumstances, processing may be based on:

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Performance of a Contract

• creating, authenticating and maintaining user and business accounts,

• providing requested Service functionality,

• managing account settings and listings,

• providing features requested by users or businesses,

• administering participation in the Dog Friendly Partner programme,

• processing requests for Partner materials or other Partner benefits, and

• arranging delivery or fulfilment of requested Partner materials where applicable.

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Legitimate Interests

• operating, maintaining and improving the Service,

• maintaining security and preventing fraud, spam, misuse and abuse,

• responding to support requests and communicating with users and businesses,

• administering and maintaining relationships with participating businesses and Dog Friendly Partners,

• communicating with Partners regarding their participation, listing information and Partner status,

• managing, reviewing and moderating Place and Service submissions,

• analysing and improving Service performance and reliability.

Where processing is based on legitimate interests, Dog Friendly considers whether those interests are overridden by the rights and freedoms of the individuals concerned.

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Consent

• processing precise location where consent or device permission is required,

• sending marketing communications or newsletters where consent is the applicable legal basis,

• processing other optional information or features where consent is specifically requested.

Consent may be withdrawn at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

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Legal Obligation

• complying with applicable laws and regulatory obligations,

• responding to lawful requests from authorities,

• retaining information where required by law.​

Dog Friendly does not use personal data for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects on users.

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6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website may use cookies and similar technologies.

The mobile application may use equivalent technologies for functionality and analytics.

Where required, users will be informed and given control over preferences.

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These may include:

• essential functionality tools;

• analytics tools;

• security tools;

• performance monitoring tools.

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7. Third-Party Services

Dog Friendly relies on third-party providers, which may include:

• Wix,

• mapping and location services, such as Google Maps,

• Apple App Store,

• Google Play Store,

• hosting and technical infrastructure providers,

• authentication and account-management providers,

• email and communication providers,

• push-notification providers,

• analytics, diagnostics, crash-reporting and performance-monitoring providers, where used.

These providers may process personal data on behalf of Dog Friendly or independently under their own terms and privacy policies.

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Where a provider processes personal data on behalf of Dog Friendly, Dog Friendly takes appropriate steps as required under applicable data protection law.

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Where personal data is transferred outside the European Union or European Economic Area, appropriate safeguards will be used where required under the GDPR.

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8. Data Retention

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary for:

• providing the Service;

• maintaining user accounts;

• complying with legal obligations;

• resolving disputes;

• enforcing agreements;

• improving the Service.

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Retention periods vary depending on the type of information, the purpose for which it is processed, the duration of the user or business relationship, and applicable legal requirements. Where a specific retention period cannot be determined in advance, Dog Friendly uses these factors to determine how long the information remains necessary.

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Data may be anonymised, aggregated, archived, or deleted when no longer necessary.

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Where a user or business has contributed information about a Place or Service, public factual listing information may be retained, anonymised or reassigned after account deletion where necessary to maintain the accuracy, continuity and usefulness of the Service. Personal data identifying the contributor will be handled separately in accordance with applicable data protection law and this Privacy Policy.

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9. Data Security

Dog Friendly implements appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data.

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These measures may include:

• access controls;

• encryption where appropriate;

• secure infrastructure;

• monitoring and security practices.

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However, no system can guarantee absolute security, and users acknowledge that electronic communications and online systems always involve some degree of risk.

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10. Your Rights

Under the GDPR and applicable data protection law, depending on the circumstances, you have the right to:

• access your personal data;

• request correction;

• request deletion;

• restrict or object to processing;

• request data portability;

• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;

• lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

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In Finland:
Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman (Tietosuojavaltuutetun toimisto)
 

11. Children’s Privacy

The Service is intended for general audiences.

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Dog Friendly does not knowingly collect personal data from children in violation of applicable law.

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If we become aware that personal data has been collected unlawfully from a child, we will take reasonable steps to remove such information.

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12. Account Deletion

Users and businesses may delete their account at any time from within the Dog Friendly application by going to: Profile → My Account → Delete My Account

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Users and businesses may also contact Dog Friendly for assistance with account deletion or other data-related requests.

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Upon account deletion, Dog Friendly will delete or anonymise personal data associated with the account unless retention is required by law or remains necessary for a lawful purpose, including security, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, enforcement of agreements or compliance with legal obligations.

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Public factual information relating to Places or Services that was submitted through an account may be retained, anonymised or reassigned where necessary to maintain the accuracy, continuity and usefulness of the Dog Friendly Service.

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Data deletion requests may be subject to reasonable identity verification where necessary.

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13. Changes to this Privacy Policy

Dog Friendly may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

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Updated versions will be published on the website with a revised “Last Updated” date.

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Where appropriate or required by applicable law, Dog Friendly will inform users of material changes to this Privacy Policy. The updated version will indicate the date on which it was last revised.

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14. Contact Information

Dog Friendly Oy
Business ID: 3590920-6
Email: info@dogfriendly.fi