Overview
CompBuddy is a mobile application for paragliding competition safety management. It connects pilots with the competition safety team, enabling retrieve coordination, checkpoint tracking, and competition messaging.
This policy describes what information CompBuddy collects, why it is collected, how it is used, and your rights as a user.
The data controller is:
Rainer Dieterle
support@rd4e.app
Data We Collect
Device Identifier
CompBuddy generates a random UUID (version 4) when first launched and stores it on your device. This identifier is used to associate your device with a competition registration and is the primary key for all provisioning. It is not linked to your name or email at the operating-system level.
Precise Location (including Background Location)
When you are registered as a pilot, CompBuddy collects your precise GPS location, including while the app is running in the background. This data is used to:
- Allow the safety team to locate you when you request a retrieve or are reported overdue.
- Monitor your position during competition tasks for safety management.
Location data is transmitted to the competition server over an encrypted connection (HTTPS) and is accessible only to authorised competition safety staff.
Competition Profile Data
During pilot onboarding, CompBuddy reads your registration data from the AirTribune competition management database. This typically includes:
- First name and last name
- Date of birth
- Nationality and CIVL (paragliding) licence number
- Glider make, model, and homologation class
- Competition-assigned pilot ID
This data was provided by you when you registered for the competition on the AirTribune platform.
WhatsApp Number
During onboarding, pilots send a registration message via WhatsApp to link their WhatsApp account to their competition record. The linked phone number (WhatsApp ID) is stored on the competition server for safety coordination and direct messaging by the safety team.
Push Notification Token
CompBuddy uses Firebase Cloud Messaging (Google) to deliver push notifications for competition updates, safety alerts, and messaging. A FCM token is generated on your device and stored on the competition server. Google's processing of this token is governed by the Google Privacy Policy.
In-App Messages and Notifications
Messages sent between pilots and the safety team, as well as competition notifications, are stored on the competition server for the duration of the competition.
Competition Activity
Checkpoint check-ins, retrieve requests, and similar competition events are recorded on the competition server as part of normal competition operations.
How We Use Your Data
All collected data is used solely for the following purposes:
- Safety management — locating pilots in distress and coordinating rescue or retrieve operations.
- Competition operations — tracking task progress, managing checkpoint data, and notifying pilots of competition events.
- Communication — delivering messages from the competition safety team to pilots and vice versa.
- Identity and provisioning — verifying that your device is registered as a participant or staff member for an active competition.
We do not use any personal data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to competition safety and management.
Data Sharing
Your data is shared only with the following parties, and only to the extent necessary for the purposes described above:
- Competition safety team — staff members authorised by the competition organiser who use the CompBuddy staff interface.
- Google (Firebase) — for delivery of push notifications. See the Google Privacy Policy.
- AirTribune — your pilot profile data originates from AirTribune's competition registration database and is read during onboarding.
We do not sell personal data. We do not share data with advertising networks, data brokers, or any third party not listed above.
Data Retention
Competition data (location history, messages, checkpoint events) is retained on the competition server for the duration of the competition and for up to 90 days afterwards, after which it is deleted or anonymised.
Your device identifier (UUID) remains stored on your device until you uninstall the app or reset the identifier within the app. The corresponding record on the server is retained for the same 90-day post-competition period.
Push notification tokens are removed from the server when they become invalid or when the competition record expires.
Data Security
All communication between the CompBuddy app and the competition server is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS. The competition server is protected by authentication keys; access is restricted to authorised competition staff. We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss.
Children's Privacy
CompBuddy is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided data through CompBuddy, please contact us at support@rd4e.app so we can delete it.
Your Rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Right of access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification — request correction of inaccurate data.
- Right to erasure — request deletion of your data, subject to legal retention obligations.
- Right to data portability — request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- Right to withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent (e.g. location permission), you can withdraw consent at any time via your device settings.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at:
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe your data has been processed in violation of applicable law.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be published at this URL with a new effective date. If changes are material, we will notify you through the app where possible. Your continued use of CompBuddy after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data: