Overview

Geoman ("we", "us", "our") is committed to handling your personal data responsibly. This policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights in relation to it.

Personal data

Personal data refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. This includes, but is not limited to, your email address, account information, and any other data that can be used to identify you directly or indirectly.

Data processing means any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether by automated means or not. This includes collecting, recording, organising, storing, adapting, retrieving, using, disclosing, combining, restricting, erasing, or destroying personal data.

Data we collect

Email address. When you request an API key, we collect your email address. This is used solely to issue and manage your API key and to contact you about your account.

Input text. Text submitted through the web interface or via the API is received and stored by us. We use this data to evaluate and improve the underlying location extraction model. We do not sell this data or use it for advertising purposes.

We also collect anonymous usage data for statistical purposes. Personal data is only collected with your consent and used for the purposes described in this policy.

How we use your data

We use your email address to administer your API access. We use submitted text to improve the accuracy and performance of Geoman's location extraction model. We do not share your personal data with third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law or as necessary to operate Geoman and its services.

Data retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected — such as managing your API key, communicating with you, or complying with legal requirements. When we are legally required to keep certain data for longer periods, we ensure that such data is processed only for the specific purposes required by law.

Data security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. This includes secure server infrastructure and regular security updates, encryption of sensitive data, access controls and authentication mechanisms, and regular security assessments and monitoring.

While we strive to protect your data, please note that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection.

Consent and use of the service

By using Geoman and its services, you agree to the collection and processing of your data as described in this privacy policy. You can browse our website without registration, but creating an API key requires providing certain personal data. If you do not provide this information, you will not be able to use the API.

Legal basis for processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds under the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Consent. When you submit text to Geoman, create an API key, or use the Geoman API, you provide consent for us to process your data for the purposes of:

• Extracting and returning location information from your submitted text
• Improving the accuracy and performance of our location extraction model
• Communicating with you about your API key and account
• Providing customer support

Legitimate interests. We process certain data based on our legitimate interests in:

• Ensuring the safety and proper use of Geoman's services
• Preventing fraud or misuse of the API system
• Improving our services through analysis of usage patterns
• Maintaining the security and integrity of our infrastructure

Legal obligation. We process data when required by law, for example:

• To comply with Swiss or EU data retention requirements
• To respond to lawful requests from public authorities
• To fulfil obligations under applicable tax or accounting legislation

Contract performance. Where you have requested an API key, we process your email address as necessary to fulfil that agreement:

• Issuing and managing your API key
• Communicating with you about your account and access

Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide essential functionality. We use cookies only for:

• Basic website functionality
• Understanding how visitors use our site

Types of cookies we use:

• Essential cookies — required for basic functionality and security
• Analytics cookies — anonymous usage statistics

Age restrictions

Users under 18 must have parental or guardian consent to use Geoman's services. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such data, please contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.

Automated decision-making

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you.

Your rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete the personal data we hold about you, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to data portability. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected] and we will respond promptly.

Contact information

For any privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, please contact:

• Email: [email protected]

Contacting authorities

If you believe your data protection rights have been violated, you may lodge a complaint with:

• Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC)
• Feldeggweg 1
• 3003 Bern, Switzerland
• www.edoeb.admin.ch

Changes to this policy

This privacy policy may be updated from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy on our website and, where appropriate, by email.