Privacy Policy

Last updated: 12 May 2026

This policy explains what DogWalkingHQ (the "app", "we", "us") collects, how we use it, and your rights. We keep things simple and collect only what we need to run the app for you.

1. Who we are

DogWalkingHQ is operated by Tony C Smith, a sole-trader business based in the United Kingdom. The app is published on the Apple App Store and Google Play. For privacy questions, contact contact us.

2. Data we collect

Account data

Email address and password (or Sign in with Apple identifier) — to sign you in and recover access.
Display name and optional business logo — for walk reports you send to owners.
Subscription status (from Apple App Store or Google Play) — to unlock paid features.

App content you create

Owners and pets you add — names, contact details you choose to store, pet notes (access codes, allergies, routine, behaviour).
Walks, home visits and boarding records — date, time, duration, notes.
Photos you attach to walks or pets.
Team members you invite (Pro plan) — their email and role.

Camera

When you tap the camera button on a walk or pet profile, the app uses your device's camera to take a photo. Photos are stored on your device and uploaded to your DogWalkingHQ account so you can share proof packs and walk updates with owners. The app only accesses the camera when you explicitly tap to take a photo — it does not record in the background. You can revoke camera permission at any time in your phone's Settings.

Voice dictation

When you use the dictation feature ("Dictate for…"), audio is processed on-device using Apple's Speech framework. The audio is not sent to our servers; only the transcribed text you choose to save is stored.

Location (optional)

If you turn on GPS tracking (Pro plan), the app records the route of a walk while it is in progress so it can be included in the walk report. Location is only collected during an active walk you start, and only with your explicit permission.

Diagnostic data

Basic crash and error logs — to fix bugs. No personal content is included.
Device type and OS version — to support the device.

Payment data

Subscriptions are processed by Apple App Store or Google Play. We do not see or store your card details. We only receive a subscription status flag from the store.

3. How we use your data

To provide the app and your account.
To sync your data across your devices and to team members you invite.
To generate walk reports you choose to send to dog owners.
To deliver subscription benefits and enforce free-tier limits.
To respond to support requests you send us.
To detect and fix crashes and abuse.

We do not sell your data. We do not run targeted advertising in the app.

4. Legal basis

Contract — to provide the service you signed up for.
Legitimate interests — to keep the app secure and improve it.
Consent — for optional features like location tracking and notifications. You can withdraw consent at any time.
Legal obligation — to comply with tax and accounting law (subscription records).

5. Sharing

We share data only with the processors we need to run the service:

Apple Inc. — App Store, Sign in with Apple, push notifications.
Google LLC — Google Play billing and Android push notifications.
Railway Corp. — application and database hosting.
Resend — transactional email (account verification, password reset).

Team members you invite will see the owners, pets and walks you share with them.

6. Storage and security

Your data is held on managed cloud servers, encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest. Passwords are stored hashed, never in plain text. We restrict internal access to what is needed to run the service.

7. Retention

We keep your account and content for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete your personal content within 30 days, except records we are legally required to keep (such as subscription/tax records, held up to 6 years).

8. International transfers

DogWalkingHQ operates from the United Kingdom, and your data may be transferred to and processed in the UK, the European Union, the United States and other countries where our service providers operate (notably Apple and Google in the United States, Railway Corp. for hosting). Where data crosses borders, we rely on:

The UK and EU Standard Contractual Clauses, or
The EU–US Data Privacy Framework where the recipient is certified, or
Adequacy decisions where they exist between your country and the recipient country.

9. Your rights

The exact rights you have depend on where you live. Wherever you are, you can email contact us to exercise any right described below — we will respond within 30 days.

Everyone

Access a copy of your data.
Correct data that is wrong.
Delete your data ("right to be forgotten").
Restrict or object to certain processing.
Receive your data in a portable format.
Withdraw consent for any processing based on consent.

United Kingdom (UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018)

You have all of the rights above. If we cannot resolve a complaint, you can refer it to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.

European Economic Area (EU GDPR)

You have all of the rights above. You can complain to your national supervisory authority — find yours at edpb.europa.eu.

California, USA (CCPA / CPRA)

You have the right to know what personal information we collect, to delete it, to correct it, to limit use of sensitive personal information, and to opt out of any "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising. We do not sell or share your personal information for advertising purposes. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

Other US states

Residents of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas and other states with comprehensive privacy laws have similar rights to access, delete, correct and opt out of targeted advertising and "sale" of data. We honour these requests on the same basis.

Canada (PIPEDA), Australia, New Zealand, Brazil (LGPD), and elsewhere

Where your local data protection law gives you rights similar to those above, we will honour them. If your local law gives you stronger rights than those listed here, those stronger rights apply.

Deleting your account. Open Settings → Account → Delete account in the app, or email contact us and we will delete your account within 30 days.

10. Children

DogWalkingHQ is intended for professional dog walkers and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16 (or the minimum age in your country if higher — for example, 13 in the US under COPPA). If you believe a child has used the app, contact us and we will delete the account.

11. Changes to this policy

If we make material changes, we will update this page and, where appropriate, notify you in the app or by email.

12. Contact

Questions or requests: contact us.