Effective Date: 10/17/2024
1. Introduction
At CarePlug, our team of healthcare professionals, engineers, and technicians collaborate to deliver exceptional care. This Privacy Policy outlines our commitment to protecting your personal data when seeking care or using our services ("Services").
In this policy, we explain how CarePlug works for you as a user and patient, who is responsible for processing your personal data, the types of personal data processed when using our Services, how and why we process your personal data, the legal basis for processing, third-party handling of your personal data, your rights regarding personal data processing, how to exercise your rights, our priority is your well-being and trust. This Privacy Policy ensures transparency and security in our handling of your personal data.
2. Collection of Information
When you use CarePlug's Services, we may collect certain types of information.
Information You Provide Directly to Us
For certain activities, such as registration, telemedicine services, subscription to alerts, or direct contact, we may collect contact information, including your full name, email address, mobile phone number, and address. Additionally, we may collect your username and password, payment information (including credit card number, expiration date, and security code), and healthcare provider information (including employment details, medical license status, educational background, address, photograph, social security number, professional license information, and bank account information). We may also collect personal health information and any other information you provide to us. We may combine this information with existing data about you.
Information We Collect Automatically
When using our Services, we may automatically collect your device and advertising identifiers, browser type, operating system, and Internet service provider. We also collect information about the pages you visit before and after using the Services, the date and time of your visit, and information about the links you click and pages you view within the Services. Furthermore, we may collect location information, including your computer's IP address, mobile device's GPS signal, and nearby WiFi access points and cell towers.
We use cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies to collect this information automatically. Cookies are small bits of information stored by your computer's web browser. Pixel tags are very small images or small pieces of data embedded in images, also known as "web beacons" or "clear GIFs," which can recognize cookies, the time and date a page is viewed, a description of the page where the pixel tag is placed, and similar information from your computer or device. Local Shared Objects (sometimes referred to as "Flash Cookies") are similar to standard cookies except that they can be larger and are downloaded to a computer or mobile device by the Adobe Flash media player.
By using the Services, you consent to our use of cookies and similar technologies.
Technical Data
We may also collect technical data to address and fix technical problems and improve our Services. This data may include parts of a document you were using when a problem occurred or the contents of your communications. Your device or browser settings may permit you to control the collection of this technical data.
Information We Obtain from Your Healthcare Providers and Other Sources
In connection with your treatment, we may collect medical records from your past, current, and future healthcare providers. This may include information about your diagnosis, previous treatments, general health, laboratory and pathology test results and reports, social histories, and family medical history.
By using CarePlug's Services, you consent to our collection and use of this information.
3. Use of Information
We collect and use your information for various purposes, including:
Providing and Improving the Services
To deliver and enhance your CarePlug experience, we use the information we collect to:
- Offer personalized telemedicine services and healthcare solutions
- Process and manage your appointments, consultations, and medical records
- Develop and improve our platform's features and functionality
- Ensure seamless communication between you and our healthcare providers
Communication and Support
We use your information to:
- Respond to your inquiries, concerns, and feedback
- Provide customer support and troubleshooting
- Send notifications, reminders, and updates about your appointments and treatments
Fulfilling Requests and Delivering Relevant Information
We collect and use your information to:
- Fulfill your requests for products, services, and information
- Send you relevant information about additional clinical services, general wellness, and health education from CarePlug, our affiliates, and trusted third-party partners
- Offer personalized health advice, recommendations, and resources
Analysis and Research
To better understand and improve our Services, we analyze:
- Usage patterns and user data to identify trends and areas for improvement
- The effectiveness of our services and healthcare solutions
- De-identified and aggregated data for research purposes, which may require separate written authorization
Customization and Personalization
We use your information to:
- Tailor the content you see when using our Services
- Provide targeted health advice and recommendations based on your needs and preferences
Security and Compliance
We collect and use your information to:
- Prevent potentially prohibited or illegal activities
- Ensure compliance with our Terms of Use and applicable laws and regulations
- Protect the integrity and security of our platform and Services
Other Purposes
We may use your information for additional purposes disclosed to you at the time of collection or with your consent.
By using CarePlug's Services, you acknowledge and agree to our use of your information as described in this policy.
4. Sharing of Information
At CarePlug, we are committed to maintaining your trust and transparency regarding the sharing of your information. We may share your information with various entities to provide comprehensive care and support.
Healthcare Providers and Related Entities
To ensure continuity of care, we may share your information with healthcare providers, laboratories, pharmacies and medical facilities involved in your treatment. This includes sharing information with insurance companies and payers, government agencies, organ procurement organizations, medical examiners, or funeral directors, as necessary. Additionally, we may share information with other entities relevant to your treatment and care.
Authorized Third-Party Vendors and Service Providers
We partner with specialized vendors to enhance our services. These vendors may include billing and payment processing companies, customer service and support providers, email deployment and marketing services, business analytics and performance monitoring tools, hosting and data processing services, and chat functionality and technical support providers. These vendors may collect and use information about your device, interactions, and communications with CarePlug. They are obligated to use your information solely for the services provided to CarePlug and in accordance with our privacy and security standards.
Research Partners
We may share de-identified information with research partners to advance health-related research. In cases where identifiable information is required, we will obtain your separate written authorization before sharing such information.
Corporate Affiliates
We may share your information with our corporate affiliates, ensuring adherence to this policy. Our affiliates are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your information.
Business Transfers
In the event of a substantial corporate transaction, such as a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, we may share your information. We will ensure that the acquiring entity agrees to protect your information in accordance with our privacy policy.
Legal Purposes
We may disclose information to respond to subpoenas, court orders, and legal process. We may also comply with law enforcement requests and government inquiries, as required by law. Furthermore, we may disclose information to protect and defend CarePlug's rights, interests, health, safety, and security.
Notification of Disclosure
If we are legally compelled to disclose your information to a third party, we will attempt to notify you via email unless prohibited by law.
Your Consent or Direction
We may share information for purposes disclosed to you at the time of collection or with your explicit consent.
Third-Party Services
When accessing third-party services (e.g., Facebook, Google, Twitter) through CarePlug, their privacy policies apply. Please review these policies to understand how your information is collected, used, and shared.
Public Activities
When engaging in public activities on CarePlug or linked third-party sites, be aware that any shared information can be collected, used, or disclosed by others. We encourage you to exercise caution when sharing personal information in public forums.
Outside of the use cases specified above, we will not provide your information to third parties. However, access third-party services, such as Facebook, Google, or Twitter, through the Services to login to the Services or to share information about your experience on the Services with others. These third-party services may be able to collect information about you, including information about your activity on the Site. They may notify your connections on the third-party services about your use of the Site, in accordance with their own privacy policies.
By using CarePlug's Services, you acknowledge and agree to our information sharing and disclosure practices.
5. Security Measures
CarePlug implements reasonable measures to safeguard information from loss, theft, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. While no data storage or transmission system can guarantee 100% security, we prioritize protecting your information. Please note that third-party collected information may not have the same security protections as information submitted directly to us, and we are not responsible for protecting such information.
In the event of significant security incidents potentially affecting you or your personal data (e.g., fraud or identity theft), we will notify you promptly, explaining what occurred, our response, and recommended actions to mitigate risk.
6. Your Choices
To opt out of receiving general health and wellness information or treatment options, email us at [admin@careplug.org]. You may also request deletion of your personal information by emailing us. Please note that we may not accommodate requests conflicting with legal requirements or compromising data accuracy. You can refuse or disable cookies by adjusting your web browser settings. Consult your browser's instructions for specifics.
7. Third-Party Advertising, Links, and Content
CarePlug partners with third-party vendors to provide services. These vendors collect information about your platform usage to support our services. Some websites may contain links to third-party content beyond our control. We allow third parties, including business partners and advertising networks, to collect information about your online activities for interest-based advertising.
You may opt out of targeted advertising. You may also adjust mobile settings or uninstall apps using standard procedures. Please note that opting out may affect your experience on our Services, and we are not responsible for third-party privacy practices.
8. Your Rights as a CarePlug User
As a valued user of CarePlug, you have the right to control and manage your personal data. We're committed to transparency and empowering you to make informed decisions about your information.
Access and Information
You can contact us anytime to request access to and receive information about your processed personal data, including the purpose of processing, potential transfers to third countries, and which third parties have received your data. You're also entitled to know who has accessed your record and why.
Data Correction and Deletion
You have the right to correct any inaccurate information about you and request deletion of your personal data. Please note that we may be legally obligated to store certain data, especially Patient Data and your patient record. However, we will delete all personal data not legally required to be stored or needed for legal claims.
Consent and Objections
You can withdraw consent given to CarePlug or Care Providers for direct marketing or Health Profile data processing. Additionally, you have the right to object to the processing of your personal data.
Data Portability and Blocking
You're allowed to move your personal data to another controller in a commonly used electronic format. You can also request help and information about blocking data in your record, restricting access via consolidated record keeping.
Exercising Your Rights
To exercise these rights or clarify any concerns, feel free to contact us through our website or email admin@careplug.com. We prioritize your data protection and are here to support you.
9. Data Processing and Transfer
At CarePlug, we prioritize your data protection and security. We process information on servers located outside your country of residence, including Zimbabwe. Our data protection practices comply with relevant laws, including Zimbabwe's Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Chapter 10:27) and the Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07) [1).
International Data Transfer
When transferring data across borders, we ensure that the recipient country or organization provides an adequate level of protection. This is in line with Section 28 of the Data Protection Act, which governs data transfer to foreign countries. For Zimbabwean citizens, please note that your data will be stored on servers located in South Africa.
Data Protection Frameworks
We adhere to regional data protection regulations and cross-border data transfer agreements. Our commitment to data protection is guided by the principles outlined in the Data Protection Act, which emphasizes the importance of fair processing, transparency, and accountability.
Resolving Data Transfer Concerns
If you have concerns about your data transfer, please submit a formal written complaint. We will respond promptly and work closely with local data protection authorities and regulatory authorities to address your concerns and ensure a resolution that meets applicable data protection standards.
By using CarePlug's Services, you acknowledge and agree to our international data processing and transfer practices. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.
10. Children's Privacy
CarePlug is committed to protecting the privacy of minors. We do not knowingly allow individuals under the age of 18 to create accounts or access our Services without parental or guardian consent. Our Services are designed for adults and are not intended for children.
11. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy periodically. When we make changes, we will:
- Revise the "Effective Date" above
We encourage you to regularly review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about our privacy practices.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data protection practices, please email us at admin@careplug.com. We're committed to transparency and are here to address your concerns.