01. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to EcoScan – a mobile application designed to help users report environmental crimes and ecological violations in Ghana.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and protect your information, your rights as a user, how we share your information with enforcement partners, how long we keep your data, and your choices and controls.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By downloading, installing, or using the EcoScan app and visiting our website, you agree to the terms outlined in this document.
02. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
[ INCIDENT REPORTS ]
- Incident Type
The category of violation (illegal mining, logging, poaching, river pollution, charcoal burning, etc.)
- Location Data
GPS coordinates, text descriptions, and geographic references
- Media Evidence
Photographs, video recordings, or audio messages
[ DEVICE DATA ]
- Hashed Phone
WhatsApp phone number (hashed with SHA-256 encryption)
- Metadata
Device identifier, app version, and operating system
03. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
Validating and recording incident reports for accuracy.
Scoring reports based on severity and location sensitivity.
Verifying locations within Ghana and forest reserves.
Detecting fraud and protecting platform integrity.
04. DATA PROTECTION
Phone Number Protection
Your WhatsApp phone number is never stored in plaintext. We hash it using SHA-256 with a cryptographic salt.
Encryption
Sensitive information is encrypted at rest using AES-256. all traffic via HTTPS/TLS.
NO COLLECTION POLICY
- [!] No Plaintext Numbers
- [!] No Data Selling
- [!] No Message Monitoring
- [!] No Cross-App Tracking
05. PERMISSIONS
PRECISE LOCATION
Required for coordinate validation. No background tracking.
CAMERA & MIC
For immediate photographic or audio evidence capture.
PHOTO LIBRARY
For uploading previously captured evidence from gallery.
NOTIFICATIONS
Case updates and critical environmental alerts.
06. DATA SHARING
Enforcement Partners
Verified reports are shared with Ghana Police, Forestry Commission, EPA, and Minerals Commission.
Immediate forwarding with full metadata and media evidence.
Stored for pattern analysis and partner request access.
07. RETENTION
Support
For the full legal details or to exercise your rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer.
INFO@ACADEMICSUCCESSFDN.ORG