Ask Fellow Optoms
Privacy Policy
Introduction
We respect the privacy of our users. This Privacy Policy explains how Ask Fellow Optoms, "we", "us", or "our" collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards your information when you use our website, applications, and services.
By using the Platform, you acknowledge that your personal data will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements. Where appropriate, we will notify you of material changes by updating this policy.
Collection of Your Information
We may collect information about you in a variety of ways through your use of the Platform.
Ask Fellow Optoms does not intentionally collect identifiable patient health information. The Platform is designed to support anonymised professional discussion.
However, users may upload content relating to clinical scenarios. Such content may include health-related information, and users are solely responsible for ensuring that any data shared is fully anonymised and complies with applicable data protection laws.
Ask Fellow Optoms implements reasonable safeguards to reduce the risk of identifiable data being shared but cannot guarantee that all user-submitted content is free from identifiable information.
Categories of Personal Data We Collect
Account Information
We may collect account and profile information such as your name, email address, telephone number, profile image, professional details, registration number, and any other information you choose to provide when creating or managing your account.
Professional Verification Data
We may collect information used to verify your professional status, identity, or eligibility to use the Platform, including registration numbers, credentials, or supporting documents where required.
Content and Communications
We may collect messages, posts, uploaded content, comments, saved items, case-related discussions, and other information you generate through the Platform.
We may also communicate with you using channels such as email, push notification, or other service-related messaging in relation to your account, support, updates, or where permitted, marketing communications.
Usage Data
We may collect information about how you interact with the Platform, including app launches, taps, clicks, views, scrolling activity, feature usage, engagement, and advertisement interactions.
Device and Technical Data
We may automatically collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, access times, and diagnostic or log information generated through your use of the Platform.
Data from Social Networks
If you connect your account through a social network, we may receive certain information from that provider, such as your name, username, email address, and profile picture, depending on the permissions you grant.
Third-Party Data
We may receive information about you from third parties, such as service providers, analytics partners, verification providers, or other users, where permitted by law.
Use of Your Information
Lawful Bases for Processing
We rely on the following lawful bases under applicable data protection law:
- Contractual necessity to provide the Platform and its core functionality
- Legitimate interests to operate, secure, maintain, and improve the Platform and support professional community features
- Legal obligations where processing is required to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal requests, or regulatory requirements
- Consent where required, including for certain optional marketing or tracking activities
How We Use Personal Data
- Create, manage, and administer your account
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Platform
- Enable user-to-user communications and content sharing
- Verify professional status or eligibility to use the Platform
- Assess, investigate, and moderate content where necessary to enforce our terms, protect users, or comply with legal or regulatory obligations
- Monitor and analyse usage and trends to improve the Platform and user experience
- Personalise certain aspects of the Platform
- Send service-related communications, account notifications, updates, and support messages
- Conduct surveys, research, testing, and product development
- Resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, and respond to support requests
- Maintain security, prevent misuse, and detect fraud or unlawful activity
- Compile anonymised or aggregated statistics for internal use or sharing with third parties
- Comply with legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations
Use of User-Generated Content for Promotion
We may use content shared on the Platform for promotional, educational, or community engagement purposes, including reporting on social media platforms, only where that content has been anonymised so that no individual can reasonably be identified.
When using user-generated content externally, we will not intentionally include usernames, profile images, profile details, identifiable patient information, or other details that could reasonably identify a user or another individual.
We aim to apply data minimisation principles and only use the minimum information necessary for the relevant promotional or community purpose.
Disclosure of Your Information
By Law or to Protect Rights
We may disclose your information where required to comply with legal obligations, legal process, regulatory requests, law enforcement requirements, or to protect the rights, property, safety, and integrity of the Platform, our users, or others.
Service Providers
We may share your information with third parties that perform services for us or on our behalf, including hosting, analytics, email delivery, infrastructure services, security services, and customer support.
Interaction with Other Users
Other users may see information you choose to share on the Platform, such as your name, profile image, profile details, and content, depending on your account settings and how you use the Platform.
Online Postings
When you post comments, contributions, or other content to the Platform, that content may be visible to other users and may be shared further by them. You should exercise care when choosing what information to post.When you post comments, contributions, or other content to the Platform, that content may be visible to other users and may be shared or redistributed by them outside the Platform. You should exercise care when choosing what information to post. We are not responsible for how other users use, share, or redistribute content once it is visible to them.
Advertising, Analytics, and Marketing Providers
We may work with third-party providers who assist with analytics, advertising, communications, or campaign support, subject to applicable law and consent requirements where relevant.
Affiliates and Business Transfers
We may share your information with affiliates under common control with us, or in connection with a merger, financing, reorganisation, sale of assets, or acquisition.
Business Partners and Investors
We may share anonymised or aggregated information with business partners, investors, or other third parties for analysis, planning, or business purposes.
Third-Party Websites and Services
The Platform may contain links to third-party websites, applications, advertisements, or external services. We are not responsible for the privacy or security practices of those third parties.
Managing Your Information
You may request to update, correct, or delete certain information about you by contacting us at info@askfellowclinicians.com.
How to Stop Information Collection
You may stop further information collection by uninstalling the application through the usual processes available on your device. Uninstalling the application will stop future data collection through the application, but information previously collected may still be retained where necessary for legitimate business, legal, regulatory, or security purposes.
You may also request deletion of your account by contacting us at info@askfellowclinicians.com.
Data Retention
We retain personal data for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, maintain security, and support regulatory requirements.
Different categories of data may be retained for different periods, and we aim to delete or anonymise data when it is no longer required.
Your Data Protection Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have rights in relation to your personal data, including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object to certain processing, and request data portability.
Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
To exercise your rights, please contact us at info@askfellowclinicians.com.
If you are not satisfied with how we handle your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Tracking Technologies
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We may use cookies, tracking pixels, web beacons, and similar technologies to help operate, secure, customise, and improve the Platform. Some of these technologies may also be used for analytics, advertising, and performance measurement, subject to applicable law and consent requirements.
Most browsers accept cookies by default. You can usually modify your browser settings to remove or reject cookies, although doing so may affect the availability or functionality of certain features.
Where required, we will seek appropriate consent before using non-essential cookies or similar tracking technologies.
Security of Your Information
We implement technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data, including measures such as encryption, access controls, monitoring, and security safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information we process.
While we take reasonable steps to protect your personal data, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.