Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 15, 2026

PE Galyna Bayik ("Walking Country", "we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal data when you use the Walking Country mobile application ("App"). This policy is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable data protection laws.

1. Data Controller

PE Galyna Bayik is the data controller responsible for your personal data. If you have questions about this policy or your data, contact us at:

Email: contact@walkingcountry.app

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Display name and username
• Email address (if provided)
• Country selection
• Profile avatar

2.2 Health & Activity Data

With your explicit consent, we access the following data from Apple Health:

• Step count
• Walking and running distance
• Active energy burned (calories)
• Standing hours
• VO2 max
• Workout data (distance, duration, heart rate)

This data is used solely to display your activity statistics and determine your leaderboard ranking. We do not sell health data.

2.3 Usage Data

We may collect anonymized usage data such as app interactions, feature usage, and crash reports to improve the App.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: For accessing Apple Health data and sending optional notifications. You can withdraw consent at any time.
• Contract: To provide you with the App's services (account, leaderboards, achievements) as part of our Terms & Conditions.
• Legitimate Interest: For analytics, crash reporting, and improving the App, where such interests are not overridden by your rights.

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data to:

• Display your activity statistics (steps, distance, calories)
• Rank you on country and global leaderboards
• Track and award achievements
• Show your profile and workout posts to other users
• Improve and maintain the App
• Send you notifications (with your consent)

5. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We do not sell your personal data. We may share limited data with:

• Firebase (Google): Authentication, database, and hosting services
• Apple: Health data remains on-device and is accessed only with your permission via Apple HealthKit
• Ad Networks: If you choose to watch ads for bonus points, the ad provider may collect device-level identifiers. No health data is shared with ad providers.

All third-party processors are bound by data processing agreements and are required to protect your data.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

7. Your Rights

Under the GDPR and other applicable laws, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction: Request that we limit processing of your data
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interest
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contact@walkingcountry.app. We will respond within 30 days.

8. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA). When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security reviews.

10. Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Cookies & Tracking

The App itself does not use cookies. Our website (walkingcountry.app) may use essential cookies for functionality. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising on our website.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the App or by updating the "Last updated" date above. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact & Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your rights, contact us at:

Email: contact@walkingcountry.app

If you are in the EEA and believe your data protection rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority (DPA).