Geodb.io Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 20, 2024

Effective Date: December 20, 2024

This Privacy Policy describes how Aqua Terra Geoscientists LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use Geodb.io (the "Service").

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:
- Name
- Email address
- Company/organization name (optional)
- Billing address and payment information (processed by Stripe)

1.2 User Data

You may upload geological and mineral exploration data including:
- Drill hole data (collars, surveys, assays, lithology, alteration)
- Point samples and geochemical data
- Land holdings and claim information
- Water site data
- Documents, reports, and images
- Geospatial files (shapefiles, GeoPackages, KML/KMZ)

1.3 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect:
- IP addresses
- Browser type and version
- Device information (operating system, screen resolution)
- Access times and dates
- Pages viewed and features used
- Referring URLs
- Server logs and error reports

1.4 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Maintain your login session (required)
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand usage patterns (analytics)

We do not use advertising or third-party tracking cookies.

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Service Provision

We use your information to:
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
- Process and store your geological data
- Enable data visualization (maps, 3D viewers)
- Facilitate data sharing with users you authorize
- Provide ODBC/API access to third-party software
- Process payments and manage subscriptions
- Provide customer support

2.2 AI and Machine Learning Training

We use Anonymized Derivatives of your geological data to train machine learning and artificial intelligence models. Before use in AI training, your data undergoes anonymization that removes:

All geographic coordinates (replaced with relative positions)
Company, project, property, and prospect identifiers
Claim numbers and land title references
Dates and temporal markers that could identify drilling campaigns
Any metadata containing identifying information

The resulting anonymized datasets contain only geological patterns, lithological sequences, and structural relationships without location or ownership context.

We do not use your raw, identifiable data for AI training.

2.3 Communications

We use your email to:
- Send service-related notifications (password resets, subscription updates)
- Provide customer support responses
- Send product updates and feature announcements (you may opt out)
- Alert you to security issues affecting your account

2.4 Analytics and Improvement

We analyze aggregated, anonymized usage data to:
- Understand how users interact with the Service
- Identify and fix bugs and performance issues
- Develop new features and improvements
- Monitor Service security and integrity

3.1 We Do Not Sell Your Data

We do not sell your personal information or User Data to third parties.

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who assist in operating the Service:

Provider	Purpose	Location
Vultr	Cloud infrastructure and hosting	Texas, USA
DigitalOcean	Cloud infrastructure and database hosting	California, USA
Stripe	Payment processing	USA

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

When you share data with other users (team members, collaborators), those users can access the data according to the permissions you grant.

When you make data publicly accessible (public maps, 3D viewers, marketplace), that data becomes available to the public.

3.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect our rights or property
- Prevent fraud or security threats
- Protect the safety of users or the public

3.5 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have.

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Data Location

Your data is stored on servers operated by:
- Vultr - Dallas, Texas, USA
- DigitalOcean - San Francisco, California, USA

All data is stored within the United States.

4.2 Security Measures

We implement reasonable security measures including:
- Encryption in transit (TLS/HTTPS)
- Encryption at rest for sensitive data
- Regular security updates and patching
- Access controls and authentication
- Malware scanning of uploaded files
- Regular backups

However, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

4.3 Your Security Responsibilities

You are responsible for:
- Maintaining strong, unique passwords
- Keeping your login credentials confidential
- Logging out of shared or public computers
- Notifying us immediately of suspected unauthorized access

5. Data Retention

Data Type	Retention Period
Active account data	While your account is active
Deleted account data	Permanently deleted within 30 days of account closure
Anonymized AI training data	Retained indefinitely (cannot be attributed to you)
Billing and transaction records	7 years (tax and legal requirements)
Server logs	90 days
Customer support records	3 years after resolution

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Correction

You may access and update your account information at any time through the Service's account settings.

6.2 Data Export

You may export your geological data at any time using the Service's export functionality. Supported formats include CSV, GeoPackage, Shapefile, and others.

6.3 Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account by contacting admin@geodb.io. Upon deletion:
- Your account and personal information will be deleted within 30 days
- Your geological data will be permanently deleted within 30 days
- Anonymized derivatives previously created cannot be deleted (they are not attributable to you)
- We may retain certain information as required by law

6.4 Marketing Communications

You may opt out of promotional emails by:
- Clicking "unsubscribe" in any marketing email
- Updating your preferences in account settings
- Contacting admin@geodb.io

You will continue to receive transactional emails (password resets, subscription notices, security alerts).

6.5 Cookies

Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies. However, disabling cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the Service (particularly login functionality).

7. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

Know what personal information we collect, use, and share
Delete your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at admin@geodb.io with the subject line "CCPA Request."

We will verify your identity before processing your request. We will respond within 45 days, or notify you if we need additional time.

8. International Users

The Service is operated in the United States and is subject to U.S. law.

If you access the Service from outside the United States, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

We do not specifically target users in the European Union. If you are an EU resident with questions about your rights under GDPR, please contact admin@geodb.io.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact admin@geodb.io.

10. Third-Party Services

The Service integrates with third-party software (Leapfrog Geo, QGIS, etc.) via ODBC and API connections. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party software.

When you connect third-party software to the Service, that software may access your data according to its own terms and privacy policies.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:
- Email notification to your registered email address
- Prominent notice within the Service

Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact us at:

Aqua Terra Geoscientists LLC
Rathdrum, Idaho, USA

Email: admin@geodb.io

For privacy-related requests, please include "Privacy Request" in your subject line.

For CCPA requests, please include "CCPA Request" in your subject line.

Last reviewed: December 20, 2024