Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 23, 2025
Last Updated: June 23, 2025

1. Introduction

Aeronovous ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable Canadian privacy laws.

As a drone inspection service provider operating in Atlantic Canada, we collect and process various types of information including aerial imagery, property data, and personal information. This policy applies to all our services, including drone inspections, data analysis, and related consulting services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
  • Business Information: Company name, job title, business address
  • Service Information: Property details, inspection requirements, project specifications
  • Communication Records: Emails, phone calls, meeting notes, service requests
  • Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party providers)

2.2 Drone-Captured Data

During our drone inspection services, we collect:

  • Aerial Imagery: High-resolution photographs and videos of properties and infrastructure
  • Thermal Data: Infrared imaging for building envelope and equipment analysis
  • 3D Mapping Data: Point clouds, digital elevation models, and 3D reconstructions
  • Geospatial Information: GPS coordinates, flight paths, altitude data, timestamps
  • Sensor Data: Environmental conditions, equipment readings, measurement data

2.3 Website and Technical Information

  • IP address, browser type, device information
  • Website usage data, pages visited, time spent on site
  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies
  • Form submissions and user interactions

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Service Delivery

  • Conduct drone inspections and aerial data collection services
  • Process and analyze collected data using AI and machine learning technologies
  • Generate inspection reports, 3D models, and analytical deliverables
  • Provide technical support and consultation services
  • Coordinate flight operations and ensure regulatory compliance

3.2 Business Operations

  • Communicate with clients regarding services, scheduling, and project updates
  • Process payments and manage billing
  • Maintain customer relationships and provide ongoing support
  • Improve our services through data analysis and quality assurance
  • Develop new technologies and service offerings

3.3 Legal and Regulatory Compliance

  • Comply with Transport Canada drone operation regulations
  • Meet insurance and liability requirements
  • Respond to legal requests and regulatory inquiries
  • Protect our rights and prevent fraud or misuse of services

4. Consent and Legal Basis

We process personal information based on the following legal grounds under PIPEDA:

  • Express Consent: When you provide explicit consent for drone inspections and data collection
  • Implied Consent: For routine business communications and service delivery
  • Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our contractual obligations for inspection services
  • Legitimate Interests: For business operations, service improvement, and fraud prevention
  • Legal Compliance: To meet regulatory requirements under Transport Canada and other applicable laws

Important: For drone operations that may capture images of private property or individuals, we obtain appropriate consent and follow Transport Canada's privacy guidelines for drone users.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 Service Providers and Partners

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

  • Cloud storage and data processing services (AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure)
  • Payment processing and billing services
  • Technical support and software services
  • Professional services (legal, accounting, insurance)
  • Subcontractors for specialized inspection services

5.2 Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

  • Comply with Transport Canada regulations and reporting requirements
  • Respond to legal processes, court orders, or regulatory requests
  • Cooperate with law enforcement investigations
  • Protect the rights, property, or safety of Aeronovous, our clients, or the public
  • Investigate potential violations of our terms of service

5.3 Data Ownership and Client Rights

Important: While we may retain copies of drone-captured data for operational and legal purposes, clients retain ownership rights to data specifically collected for their projects. We do not sell or commercially exploit client-specific inspection data without explicit consent.

6. Data Security and Protection

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect personal information and drone-captured data:

  • Technical Safeguards: Encryption in transit and at rest, secure cloud storage, access controls
  • Physical Security: Secure storage of equipment and data storage devices
  • Administrative Controls: Employee training, confidentiality agreements, access limitations
  • Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing

Limitation: While we implement industry-standard security measures, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

7. Your Privacy Rights Under PIPEDA

Under Canadian privacy law, you have the following rights:

  • Access: Request access to your personal information we hold
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for certain uses (subject to legal/contractual limitations)
  • Complaint: File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  • Portability: Request transfer of your data in certain circumstances

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days as required by PIPEDA.

8. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain personal information and drone-captured data for the following periods:

  • Client Data: For the duration of our business relationship plus 7 years for legal/tax purposes
  • Drone-Captured Data: As specified in service agreements, typically 2-5 years
  • Website Data: Analytics data for 26 months, contact forms for 3 years
  • Legal/Regulatory Data: As required by applicable laws and regulations

Data is securely deleted or anonymized when no longer needed, unless retention is required by law.

9. International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process data within Canada. However, some service providers may process data in other countries with adequate privacy protections. When data is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

10. Cookies and Website Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Ensure proper website functionality
  • Analyze website usage and performance
  • Remember your preferences and settings
  • Provide personalized content and services

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

11. Privacy by Design

We incorporate privacy considerations into our drone operations and business processes:

  • Minimizing data collection to what is necessary for service delivery
  • Implementing privacy-protective flight planning and data capture procedures
  • Regular privacy impact assessments for new services and technologies
  • Training staff on privacy requirements and best practices

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on our website
  • Sending email notifications to active clients
  • Providing notice during service interactions

Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information and Complaints

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your privacy rights, or to file a complaint:

Aeronovous Privacy Officer

Email: [email protected]
Subject: Privacy Inquiry
Address: St. John's, NL, Canada

Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Website: priv.gc.ca
Phone: 1-800-282-1376
For formal privacy complaints

Response Time: We will acknowledge privacy inquiries within 5 business days and provide a substantive response within 30 days as required by PIPEDA.