1. Introduction
Food Industry Asia ("FIA", "we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the FIA Now mobile application ("the App").
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
When you use the App, we may collect the following personal information:
Account Information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Company/Organization name
- Job title
- FIA membership ID
Profile Information:
- Professional interests
- Committee memberships
- Geographic location preferences
- Language preferences
When you use the App, we automatically collect certain information:
Usage Data:
- App features accessed
- Content viewed and downloaded
- Time spent in the App
- Interaction patterns
Device Information:
- Device type and model
- Operating system version
- Unique device identifiers
- Mobile network information
- IP address
Location Data:
- Approximate location (based on IP address)
- Precise location (only if you grant permission)
We may receive information about you from:
- FIA membership database
- FIA website and event registration systems
- Committee chairs and administrators
- Other FIA members (for meeting coordination)
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
3.1 Providing Services
- Authenticate your account and manage access
- Deliver personalized content based on your interests
- Provide notifications about relevant updates
- Enable document downloads and bookmarking
- Facilitate meeting and event coordination
3.2 Improving the App
- Analyze usage patterns to enhance functionality
- Identify and fix technical issues
- Develop new features
- Conduct research and analytics
3.3 Communications
- Send important announcements and updates
- Provide customer support
- Respond to your inquiries
- Send consultation deadline reminders
3.4 Legal and Security
- Comply with legal obligations
- Enforce our Terms of Service
- Protect against fraud and security threats
- Protect our rights and property
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data based on:
- Contract Performance: To provide services you've requested as an FIA member
- Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, prevent fraud, and maintain security
- Legal Compliance: To meet legal and regulatory requirements
- Consent: For optional features requiring your explicit permission
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
5.1 Within FIA
- With other FIA staff and committees for member services
- With committee members for collaboration purposes
- With event organizers for meeting coordination
5.2 Service Providers
We work with third-party service providers who assist us with:
- Cloud hosting and data storage (Firebase/Google Cloud)
- Analytics services (Firebase Analytics)
- Push notification services (Firebase Cloud Messaging)
- Authentication services
- Customer support tools
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.
5.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:
- Court orders or legal processes
- Government or regulatory requests
- Protection of rights and safety
- Prevention of fraud or criminal activity
5.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
5.5 With Your Consent
We may share your information with third parties when you provide explicit consent.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as:
- Your FIA membership remains active
- Necessary to provide services
- Required by law or for legitimate business purposes
When your membership ends, we will:
- Delete or anonymize personal information within 90 days
- Retain certain information as required by law or for legal defense
- Archive information necessary for business records
7. Your Rights and Choices
7.1 Access and Correction
You have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Request corrections to inaccurate data
- Update your profile information
7.2 Data Portability
You may request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
7.3 Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to:
- Legal retention requirements
- Legitimate business needs
- Ongoing obligations under membership agreements
7.4 Objection and Restriction
You may object to or request restriction of certain data processing activities.
7.5 Withdraw Consent
For processing based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
7.6 App Permissions
You can control permissions for:
- Push notifications (Settings → Notifications)
- Location access (Device Settings → Privacy → Location)
- Camera access for profile photos
7.7 Marketing Communications
You can opt out of marketing emails by:
- Clicking "unsubscribe" in emails
- Adjusting settings in your FIA profile
- Contacting us directly
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:
8.1 Security Measures
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL)
- Encryption of data at rest
- Regular security assessments
- Access controls and authentication
- Secure cloud infrastructure (Firebase/Google Cloud)
- Regular backups and disaster recovery
8.2 Your Responsibility
You are responsible for:
- Keeping your password confidential
- Not sharing your account
- Using secure networks
- Keeping your device secure
9. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including Singapore and the United States, where our servers and service providers are located.
For EEA users, we ensure appropriate safeguards through:
- Standard Contractual Clauses
- Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
- Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
10. Children's Privacy
The App is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.
11. Third-Party Links
The App may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
12. Cookies and Similar Technologies
The App uses the following technologies:
12.1 Essential Technologies
- Authentication tokens for secure login
- Session management
- Security features
12.2 Analytics
- Firebase Analytics to understand app usage
- Crash reporting to improve stability
- Performance monitoring
You can manage some preferences through device settings, but disabling essential technologies may affect app functionality.
13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:
13.1 Right to Know
You can request information about:
- Categories of personal information collected
- Sources of information
- Business purposes for collection
- Categories of third parties with whom information is shared
13.2 Right to Delete
Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
13.3 Right to Opt-Out
Opt out of the "sale" of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
13.4 Non-Discrimination
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.
13.5 Authorized Agent
You may designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through:
- In-app notifications
- Email notifications
- App Store update notices
- Updates on our website
The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates when the policy was last revised. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
15.1 Privacy Inquiries
For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:
Food Industry Asia
Privacy Officer
Email: info@foodindustry.asia
Address: 33 Mohamed Sultan Road #03-02, Singapore 238977
Phone: (+65) 6235 3854
Website: https://foodindustry.asia
15.2 Data Protection Officer (for EEA inquiries)
Email: info@foodindustry.asia
15.3 Supervisory Authority
EEA residents have the right to lodge a complaint with their local data protection authority.
16. Specific Features and Data Processing
16.1 Push Notifications
If you enable push notifications, we will send:
- Consultation deadline reminders
- Meeting notifications
- Important announcements
- Document updates
You can disable notifications at any time through device settings.
16.2 Offline Mode
The App stores data locally on your device for offline access:
- Downloaded documents
- Cached content
- Bookmarks
- User preferences
This data is encrypted and stored securely on your device.
16.3 Document Downloads
When you download documents:
- Download activity is logged
- Files are stored securely on your device
- You remain responsible for securing downloaded content
16.4 Biometric Authentication (if enabled)
If you enable biometric authentication:
- Biometric data is processed locally on your device
- We do not have access to your biometric information
- Authentication is managed by your device's operating system
17. Data Processing Activities Summary
| Activity |
Data Collected |
Purpose |
Legal Basis |
| Account Management |
Name, email, membership ID |
Provide services |
Contract |
| Personalization |
Interests, preferences |
Customize content |
Legitimate interest |
| Analytics |
Usage patterns, device info |
Improve app |
Legitimate interest |
| Notifications |
Device token, preferences |
Send updates |
Consent |
| Downloads |
Document access logs |
Manage content |
Contract |
| Support |
Contact details, issue description |
Provide assistance |
Contract |
Acknowledgment: By using FIA Now, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.