Privacy Policy

Effective date: 16 September 2026

1. Who we are

STOP-NCD CareNet Resources (the “App”) is a healthcare resource portal supporting the NCD-CareNet intervention in Ghana. It is provided for the STOP-NCD project partnership, whose collaborating organisations include the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Ashesi University, Ghana Health Service and other programme partners.

This policy explains what information the App collects, why it is used, where it is stored and the choices available to you.

2. Information stored on your device

The App stores information locally so that resources remain useful offline and your preferences persist. This may include:

• downloaded healthcare resources and related file metadata;
• favourite resources and recently accessed resources;
• recent search history;
• download status and progress; and
• app preferences, such as theme and first-launch status.

This local information is not associated with an App account. You can remove downloaded files or search history using available controls in the App. Uninstalling the App normally removes its locally stored data, subject to your device and backup settings.

3. Analytics information we collect

We use Google Analytics for Firebase to understand how the App is used, identify useful resources and improve reliability and design. Analytics may automatically collect technical and usage information such as an app-instance identifier, device type, operating system, app version, language, general geographic information, session information, first opens and app opens.

We also record the following App interactions:

• screens and navigation tabs viewed;
• resource categories selected;
• resource file types opened or downloaded;
• download starts and completions;
• search terms entered, their length and the number of results returned; and
• use of the SRQ-20 reference, including question number viewed, selected language, audio playback and reaching the final question.

The App does not collect answers to SRQ-20 questions, calculate an SRQ-20 score, create a patient record, or use Analytics data for advertising.

4. How we use information

We use the information described above to:

• provide resource search, download and offline-access features;
• remember App preferences and locally selected favourites;
• understand how frequently the App and its features are used;
• learn which resource topics, languages and SRQ-20 materials are most useful;
• improve content, navigation, accessibility and performance; and
• diagnose technical issues and protect the service.

5. Services and sharing

The App uses Google Firebase services, including Firebase Storage and Cloud Firestore to provide resource content and Google Analytics for Firebase to process usage analytics. Information may therefore be processed by Google as a service provider under the applicable Firebase and Google Analytics terms.

We do not sell App user information. We do not use the Analytics information collected by the App for personalised advertising. Information may also be disclosed where required by law, to protect users or the service, or to authorised service providers supporting the App under appropriate obligations.

For more information about Google’s data practices, see Privacy and Security in Firebase and the Google Privacy Policy.

6. Data retention and deletion

Local App data remains on your device until you remove it through the App, clear the App’s storage, or uninstall the App, subject to device backup settings.

Analytics information is retained according to the retention settings of the linked Google Analytics property and may also appear in longer-lived aggregated reports. We retain information only for as long as reasonably needed for the purposes described in this policy, programme evaluation, security, and applicable legal or institutional requirements.

The App does not maintain user accounts. If you have a privacy or deletion request concerning information that may have been collected through the App, contact us using the details below. Because Analytics identifiers are not intended to identify you by name, we may need information from your device to determine whether a specific record can be located.

7. Data security

Information sent between the App and Firebase is encrypted in transit using HTTPS. We use access controls and Firebase security rules to limit administrative access to project services. No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, but we take reasonable technical and organisational measures appropriate to the information handled by the App.

8. Your choices

You can clear recent search history, remove downloaded resources and change available preferences within the App. You can also clear the App’s storage or uninstall it through your device settings. Depending on applicable law and programme arrangements, you may have rights to ask about, access, correct, object to, restrict, or request deletion of personal information.

9. Children

The App is designed as a professional healthcare resource and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly use the App to collect personal information from children.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the App, its data practices, or applicable requirements change. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when changes are published.

11. Contact us