Privacy & Data Use (Wanyama Watch)
Wanyama Watch is an independent platform designed to help report wildlife incidents. We do not require user accounts and do not collect names, email addresses, or direct personal identifiers.
What data we collect
When submitting a report, we may process:
- Location data (approximate or precise)
- Time of the report
- Uploaded images
- Descriptions of the incident
(Note: Vetted Ranger accounts process necessary operational contact data internally.)
How we use this data
This data is used to:
- Forward reports to relevant responders where possible
- Identify patterns in wildlife health, injury, or poaching activity
- Improve wildlife monitoring and response systems
Data may be analyzed and shared in aggregated and anonymized form with relevant organizations to support conservation efforts.
Data minimization & anonymity
We do not collect names or contact details. We aim to minimize personal data and process reports without directly identifying individuals.
No guarantee of response
Wanyama Watch does not guarantee that reports will be received or acted upon. Users should contact official authorities directly in urgent situations.
Independent platform
Wanyama Watch is not affiliated with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) or any government authority.
User responsibility
Users must not approach, handle, or attempt to treat wildlife themselves.
Legal basis and handling
We process personal data for service delivery, security, moderation, legal compliance, and public-interest wildlife coordination. We aim to handle personal data in line with applicable Kenyan data-protection requirements, including fairness, lawful use, relevance, and reasonable security safeguards.
Depending on the context, our legal basis may include your consent where requested on-device, steps you ask us to take by submitting a report or using a ranger account, legitimate interests in running and securing the platform, compliance with legal obligations, protection of vital interests, and public-interest or research-related processing permitted by law.
Where personal data is hosted, backed up, or accessed outside Kenya, we aim to use lawful transfer mechanisms, appropriate safeguards, or consent where required under Kenyan law.
Retention and deletion
Reports, assignment records, and moderation records may be retained for operational history and safety review. Rangers can delete their own account inside the app. When a ranger deletes their account, active sessions and push tokens are revoked and the account is anonymized for operational records.
Some data may be retained for longer where reasonably necessary for legal claims, evidence preservation, abuse prevention, security review, public-interest analysis, or compliance with applicable law.
Your choices
- Photo library and camera permissions are requested on-device when you attach a report photo
- Location permission is requested on-device and can be changed in system settings
- Rangers can update their profile and delete their account in-app
- Reporters can access only their own report thread using the per-report access token stored on their device
Your privacy rights and complaints
Subject to applicable Kenyan law, you may request information about the personal data we hold about you, ask us to correct inaccurate data, object to certain processing, or request restriction, deletion, or portability where those rights apply.
We may ask for reasonable information to verify identity and locate the relevant report or account record before acting on a request.
If you believe your privacy rights have been infringed and we do not resolve the matter, you may also contact the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in Kenya.
Children and data minimisation
The service is designed for wildlife incident reporting, not for collecting personal profiles about children or other vulnerable individuals. Please avoid submitting unnecessary personal data about children or other third parties. Where a child uses the service, parent or guardian assistance should be used where practicable.
Contact
For privacy questions or support requests, contact wanyamawatch@gmail.com.
Related pages: Legal Hub · Support · Terms of Service
ODPC: www.odpc.go.ke