Branch Metrics, Inc. ("Branch", "us" or "we") offers a discovery service (the “Discovery Services”), available in the United States only, that enables developers of mobile applications using the Discovery Services (our "Customers") to provide contextual results and intent-based links in their apps, which gives their end users ("Users") simplified access to completing an action (for example, to identify nearby restaurants). Branch recognizes and believes that data privacy is important to all Internet users, and therefore we design and operate our services in a privacy-first manner.
This Branch Discovery Privacy Policy (the “Discovery Privacy Policy”) explains what information Branch uses to provide the Discovery Services, and how it shares and protects data obtained by Branch through the Discovery Services.
Please note that this Discovery Privacy Policy only applies to the Discovery Services. Branch also offers a website and other services, some of which may be accessible by Users who, through their use of the Discovery Services, click on a Branch link or interact with an app or website of a Branch customer. For the privacy policy applicable to the Branch website and other Branch services, including services accessible by Users through the Discovery Services, please review the Branch privacy policy posted here. The Discovery Services, and the Branch services described in the Branch privacy policy, are collectively the “Branch Platform”.
Branch provides technology so Customers can provide their Users with content results in response to content queries. We do this in two main ways. First, Branch leverages data from Users through the Discovery Services and through other Branch services to enhance and tailor results in response to content queries. Second, Branch provides Customers with mobile deep linking technology to return deep links to content queries. “Deep linking” means providing links to a specific, generally searchable or indexed, piece of content in an app or on a website (e.g. “https://branch.io/security/”), rather than the app’s landing page or website’s home page (e.g., “https://branch.io”). Deep links thus enable Users to be directed to specific content within an app. Branch has no direct relationship with Users. When Customers install the Branch technology on their apps (via an application programming interface and/or software development kit), the technology enables Customers to respond to Users’ content queries with contextual results and intent-based deep links, which in turn helps Users by giving them results and deep links to simplify access to completing an action (for example, to identify nearby restaurants, order food for delivery, or travel to a location).
Below, we explain what information we collect from Users through the Discovery Services. We process information in a way that is relevant for the purpose for which it was collected as described below.
In addition to the information summarized in the charts below, through the Discovery Services, we collect your content queries and, when you have enabled geolocation tracking, your geolocation information. We require that each Customer commit to share with Branch only information that it has lawfully obtained (including, where necessary, by obtaining consent from Users, or from their parents for children under 13, or in certain jurisdictions, under 16) and confirm that it has the right to share information with Branch. We strongly discourage Customers from sharing sensitive User information with us, as such information is not necessary for the provision of the Discovery Services.
In the charts below, we summarize the information collected automatically by the Discovery Services.
Software development kits (“SDKs”) and application programming interfaces (“API”) include code that allows Customers to integrate and use the Discovery Services. The Branch Discovery Service SDKs and APIs collect the following information when Customers use the SDKs and APIs in their mobile apps, some of which is considered personal data under applicable law (in other words, information that itself may identify a unique individual or can be linked back to an individual) (“Personal Data”):
| Information Collected | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Advertising identifier (e.g., Google Ad ID or IDFA) | Used for identification and matching. |
| IP Address | Used for matching. |
| Country Code | Used to return the ISO country code equivalent for the SIM provider's country code. |
| Geolocation information (e.g., latitude & longitude) | If available, used to provide more accurate, location-relevant results. Please see the User Opt-Outs Section below for more information about opting out of geolocation tracking. |
| Query | Content query submitted by user. |
Data Branch collects through the Discovery Services is processed:
Where permitted by law and our agreements with customers, and with your consent (to the extent required by law), Branch may also use data collected through other Branch services to enhance and tailor results of User content queries. Please see the Branch privacy policy to understand our privacy practices with respect to those Branch services.
Our Customers use the information collected via the Discovery Services for the purposes set forth in their respective privacy policies, including to improve their Users’ app experiences, customize their apps and in-app content results to Users, and better understand their app marketing programs and how Users use their apps.
We require that our Customers utilize the Discovery Services responsibly and in accordance with certain terms and conditions. Branch is not responsible for the data practices of any of our Customers through the Discovery Services or otherwise. Each Customer’s practices are subject to each Customer’s individual privacy policy. Users should review the privacy policy of each Customer to understand how that Customer treats User information collected through the Discovery Services.
Users have the following choices with regarding to Branch’s collection of their data through the Discovery Services.
Mobile Device Identifier: To exercise the mobile device privacy settings controls, please visit the privacy settings of your Android or iOS device and select “opt-out of interest based ads” (Android) or “limit ad tracking” (Apple iOS). Branch will only be able to collect information as permitted by these settings.
Geolocation information: If you have agreed to permit a Customer’s app to collect your location, you can change your location tracking settings in your device settings by following the instructions here (Android) or here (Apple iOS).
The Discovery Services are designed for mobile applications and therefore do not respond to web browser “do not track” signals.
In addition to the ways described above, Branch may also share information with others under the following circumstances:
Securing the information provided by our Customers and collected through the Discovery Services is important to us. Branch has implemented industry-standard technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to help protect the information on our servers against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your devices and online accounts, such as not sharing passwords to your devices.
The Discovery Services link to other websites and apps. These other domains are not controlled by Branch, and we do not endorse or make any representations about third-party websites, apps, or social media platforms. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of each and every website and application that you interact with. We do not endorse, screen, or approve, and are not responsible for, the privacy practices or content of such other websites or applications. Visiting these other websites or applications is at your own risk.
All information collected via the Discovery Services is stored on servers located in the United States.
The Discovery Services are not directed to children. We require that Customers agree to not send to us data relating to any children under 13 (or, in certain jurisdictions, under 16), unless they obtain all parental consents necessary under applicable law for collection of data from any such children prior to sending any data relating to such children to Branch. If you believe that we might have any information from or about a child under 13 (and in certain jurisdictions under 16) without the requisite parental consent, please contact us at privacy@branch.io, so that Branch can promptly investigate and delete any inappropriately obtained information.
We may change this Discovery Privacy Policy at any time in our sole discretion. We will post all changes to this Policy on this page and will indicate at the top of the page the modified Policy’s effective date. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this Policy, please contact us at:
Attn: Privacy Officer
Branch Metrics, Inc.
195 Page Mill Road, Suite 101
Palo Alto, CA 94306
privacy@branchmetrics.io
Privacy Complaints by European Union and Swiss Citizens
In compliance with the U.S.-EU and U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Principles, Branch Metrics commits to resolve complaints about your privacy and our collection or use of your personal information. European Union and Swiss citizens with inquiries or complaints regarding this privacy policy should first contact us at privacy@branchmetrics.io.
We have further committed to refer unresolved privacy complaints under the Safe Harbor Principles to an independent dispute resolution mechanism, the BBB EU Safe Harbor, operated by the Council of Better Business Bureaus. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint, or if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed by the privacy department at Branch Metrics, please visit the BBB EU SAFE HARBOR web site at www.bbb.org/us/safe-harbor-complaints for more information and to file a complaint.