LearningTracker – Privacy Policy
Effective date: 1.1.2025
This Privacy Policy explains how Tampere University Foundation sr (“Tampere University”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores and shares data when you use the LearningTracker (“LT”) mobile application on Android and iOS devices.
Data Controller & Contact Details
Tampere University Foundation sr (Business ID 2844561‑8)
33014 Tampere University, Kalevantie 4, 33100 Tampere, Finland
Email: petri.nokelainen@tuni.fi
Data‑Protection Officer: dpo@tuni.fi
What LearningTracker Does
LearningTracker is an experience‑sampling tool used in scientific research projects to collect participants’ self‑reported learning experiences and emotions over time. The app presents brief survey questions at moments defined by the research protocol. Participants log in with:
• a Research Code – common to all participants in the same study, and
• a Participant Password – unique pseudonym chosen or received from the research team.
The app itself does not ask for your name, email address, phone number, photos, contacts, precise location or any other directly identifying personal data. Mapping between Participant Passwords and real‑world identities is stored outside the app by the responsible research group.
Data Collected Through LearningTracker
| Category | Examples | Purpose |
| Survey responses | Answers to Likert‑scale items on emotions, motivation, activity; optional free‑text reflections | Scientific analysis of learning and well‑being |
| Research Code & Participant Password | Alphanumeric codes only | Authenticate your access and associate responses with a study cohort while keeping real identity hidden |
| Technical metadata | Timestamp of each response, app version, operating‑system version, anonymised device identifier required for optional push notifications | Ensure data integrity, troubleshoot technical issues |
The app does NOT collect: advertising identifiers, GPS/location, motion sensor data, audio, images, contacts, calendar, or background data.
Why We Collect and Use Your Data
- Scientific research: To examine learning experiences, emotions and related phenomena over time.
• Service provision: To deliver the questionnaires at the right times and store your answers securely.
• App maintenance: To diagnose errors and improve functionality.
Legal Basis for Processing
Your data are processed on the basis of:
• Your explicit consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) & Art. 9(2)(a)). You sign a separate research consent form before using the app.
• Scientific research carried out in the public interest (GDPR Art. 6(1)(e) & Art. 9(2)(j)).
You may withdraw your consent at any time via the contact details above. Data already collected up to the point of withdrawal may continue to be processed in pseudonymised form for scientific integrity, as permitted by GDPR and Tampere University’s ethical guidelines.
How We Store and Protect Your Data
- Data in transit are encrypted (TLS/HTTPS).
• Data at rest are stored on secure cloud servers operated or contracted by Tampere University and protected by strong authentication, firewalls and access‑control lists.
• Only named researchers listed in the study’s privacy notice have access, and all accesses are logged.
• Raw data are pseudonymised; identifying key (Participant Password ↔ real identity) is kept separately by the research group.
Data Sharing & International Transfers
We do not sell or share your data with advertisers or other third parties. Data may be shared only with:
• Members of the designated research team bound by confidentiality;
• Service providers (e.g., cloud hosting) under data‑processing agreements compliant with GDPR;
• Regulatory authorities if required by law.
Your data are stored and processed within the EU/EEA and are not transferred outside these regions without additional safeguards.
Data Retention
Pseudonymised research data are retained for the period defined in the approved research protocol (typically until [month year] plus five years) and then deleted or irreversibly anonymised. Technical logs are kept for up to 12 months for security purposes.
Your Rights
Subject to conditions and limitations set by law, you have the right to:
• Access your personal data;
• Rectify incorrect or incomplete data;
• Erase data (right to be forgotten);
• Restrict or object to processing;
• Data portability;
• Lodge a complaint with the Finnish Data‑Protection Ombudsman (tietosuoja@om.fi).
To exercise any of these rights, contact petri.nokelainen@tuni.fi.
Children’s Privacy
LearningTracker is intended for academic research with adult participants (16+). We do not knowingly collect data from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe a child has provided data, please contact us to delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal or technical changes. Updated versions will be published at the same URL and will show a new “Effective date”. Significant changes will be announced in‑app or via the research team.
Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, email petri.nokelainen@tuni.fi or the Data‑Protection Officer at dpo@tuni.fi.
Version 1.0 — drafted 1 January 2025