Privacy Policy Last Updated: March 29, 2026 This Privacy Policy comprehensively details how MicroPlastics ("the Service," "we," "our," or "us") collects, processes, protects, and shares user information while providing innovative microplastics detection and analysis services. By using the Service, you acknowledge and consent to the data collection and processing practices described herein, which have been designed to protect user privacy while advancing scientific understanding of microplastic contamination in consumer products. The Service collects essential account information during the registration process, including email addresses, usernames, and securely hashed passwords. Optional profile information may include geographical region, age range, and dietary preferences, all of which contribute to providing more relevant analysis and recommendations. During the scanning process, the Service collects comprehensive data including high-resolution images, product identification information, packaging characteristics, temporal data, environmental conditions (when available through device sensors), device orientation metrics, and location data (subject to user authorization). Additionally, the Service gathers technical information to optimize scanning accuracy, including device specifications, camera capabilities, sensor data, network conditions, application version details, and performance metrics. The collected data serves multiple critical purposes within the Service's operations. Primary usage includes generating accurate microplastic content estimates, maintaining and expanding our product database, improving scanning algorithms through machine learning optimization, providing personalized exposure analytics, generating community-wide statistical analyses, and supporting ongoing research in microplastic detection methodologies. Anonymized scan data contributes to advancing scientific understanding of microplastic presence in consumer products, developing more accurate detection methods, collaborating with research institutions, contributing to peer-reviewed publications, and improving machine learning models for enhanced detection accuracy. All submitted scans undergo rigorous quality control processes, including automated anomaly detection, cross-referencing with existing database entries, manual review of statistical outliers, verification against laboratory-tested samples, and integration of community feedback mechanisms. The Service implements comprehensive security measures to protect user data, including end-to-end encryption for all data transmission, secure cloud storage with redundant backups, regular security audits and penetration testing, multi-factor authentication for critical systems, automated threat detection and prevention, and regular security updates. Access to user data is strictly controlled through role-based access systems, regular employee security training, documented handling protocols, compliance audits, and incident response planning. The Service maintains strict data sharing protocols with verified research partners, requiring removal of personal identifiers, data aggregation when possible, limited usage specifications, and adherence to stringent data protection requirements. Users maintain comprehensive rights regarding their personal data, including access to all stored information, ability to download complete scan histories and results, modification of personal information, deletion of specific scan results, complete account termination, control over data sharing preferences, and research participation options. The Service maintains varying retention periods for different data types, with account information retained until explicit deletion, scan results stored for twenty-four months (configurable by users), device data retained for twelve months, anonymized research data maintained indefinitely, quality control data preserved for thirty-six months, and system logs retained for six months. The Service implements additional protections for users under eighteen years of age, including strict parental consent requirements for users under thirteen, limited data collection protocols, enhanced privacy settings by default, restricted sharing options, and regular account monitoring for age compliance. A dedicated privacy support team maintains multiple communication channels for addressing user concerns and requests, including email support, in-app chat functionality, data request systems, and guaranteed response times within forty-eight hours. The Service reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy as necessary to reflect new features and functionality, changes in data processing methods, updated regulatory requirements, improved security measures, and user feedback. Users will receive notifications of significant changes through multiple channels, including in-app notifications, email updates, website announcements, and account dashboard alerts. The Service maintains transparency in all privacy-related matters and encourages users to regularly review this policy for updates and changes that may affect their use of the Service. Through engagement with our research partners and ongoing scientific collaboration, the Service continuously works to advance understanding of microplastic contamination in consumer products while maintaining the highest standards of user privacy and data protection. This commitment to scientific advancement is balanced with rigorous privacy protection measures, ensuring that user data contributes to important research while remaining secure and confidential according to user preferences and applicable regulations.