Privacy Policy for FAME Lab Studies App

Effective Date: 01/04/26

Information Collection and User Accounts

The FAME Lab Studies App requires users to sign in to participate in scientific studies. However, no personal identifying information is linked to your account. All data collected within the app—including physiological metrics, survey responses, and media—is associated solely with randomly generated, encrypted study IDs that do not reveal your identity. No real names, email addresses, or personal identifiers are ever attached to the research data.

Background Location Data

The app requests access to your location, including location access in the background. This is strictly required to continuously fetch real-time weather and environmental data (such as WBGT - Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) from the weather station nearest to your exact location. This allows the app to provide continuous, personalized heat stress and hydration recommendations to protect your health, even when the app is closed or running in the background. All location data is processed securely and is never used to track your personal whereabouts for commercial purposes.

Camera and Photos

To complete specific scientific protocols, the app requires access to your device's camera to capture images (e.g., photographing samples). These images are securely transmitted and strictly linked to your anonymized study ID. The app only accesses the camera when explicitly prompted by you during a protocol step.

Use of Information

Data collected in the FAME Lab Studies App is used exclusively for occupational health research, heat stress monitoring, and study purposes. All collected information is stored and processed only in association with anonymized, encrypted study IDs.

Analytics and Device Identifiers

While the app does not use data for advertising or profiling, it may collect anonymized device identifiers (such as the Android Advertising ID) and crash logs. These are used strictly to monitor app performance, detect bugs, and ensure the stability of the platform during research studies.

Data Sharing

No personal data is ever shared with third parties. Only research data, strictly associated with encrypted study IDs and never linked to personal identity, may be used for scientific analysis or academic publication.

Data Storage and Security

All data is stored securely using industry-standard encryption and access controls. Study IDs are pseudonymized and encrypted, and no unencrypted or identifiable information is stored on servers or devices. Local storage may be used to save settings or offline study data, which remain encrypted and inaccessible outside the app’s research context.

User Rights

As the FAME Lab Studies App does not collect or process personal identifying information, users retain full privacy over their identity. For any concerns regarding study participation, data handling, or to withdraw from a study, users may contact us at famelaboratory@gmail.com.

Children’s Privacy

The FAME Lab Studies App is designed to comply with privacy laws regarding children's data protection. No personal data is collected, and all research data is anonymized and encrypted, making the app safe for use by minors participating in authorized research.