This policy explains how WasteLinks Ltd collects, uses, and protects location data from drivers using the WasteLinks Driver app. Location tracking only ever takes place with your informed consent.
1. What We Collect
When you are on duty with the WasteLinks Driver app, we collect your device's GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) approximately every 15 seconds. We also record the timestamp and accuracy radius of each reading.
We do not collect:
- Location data when you are off duty or the app is closed.
- Location data outside of active job sessions unless you enable background tracking.
- Any biometric or behavioural data from your device.
2. Why We Collect It
Location data is used solely for the following purposes:
- Live job tracking — allowing the Customer who booked the collection (and their dispatchers) to see your live position on a Google Map and the estimated arrival time. Only the Customer for whom you are working at that moment can see the map; no other Customer, Vendor, or member of the public has access.
- Proof of service — verifying that a driver attended the collection address, for dispute resolution and Duty of Care compliance.
- Route optimisation — aggregate anonymised data may be used to improve routing suggestions for drivers.
2a. Who Can See Your Live Position
During an active job, your live position is broadcast over an authenticated Socket.IO connection to only the following parties:
- The Customer who placed the booking you are currently working (web + mobile);
- Your employer Vendor’s dashboard (web + mobile, role-based);
- WasteLinks admin staff (read-only audit access);
- You (a copy persists in your own profile’s “My Location History”).
The live broadcast stops automatically the moment you mark the job as completed (or cancelled). Historical pings are retained as described in Section 5 below; the live channel itself goes dark.
3. Legal Basis
We process your location data under Article 6(1)(b) of UK GDPR — processing necessary to perform the contract of service between you, your employer Vendor, and WasteLinks. We obtain your explicit consent in the app before activating location tracking for the first time.
4. Your Consent and Control
- You will be prompted to grant location permissions when you first activate a job in the WasteLinks Driver app.
- You can revoke location permissions at any time via your device settings. Revoking permission will prevent job tracking and may affect your ability to complete jobs on the platform.
- You can view your recent location history within the app under Profile → My Location History.
5. Who Can See Your Location
| Recipient | What they see |
|---|---|
| Your Vendor (employer) | Real-time location during active jobs |
| Customers | Approximate location within 500m during en-route status |
| WasteLinks admins | Full location logs for dispute resolution |
| Third parties | Never (except as required by law) |
6. Retention
Location data is retained for 12 months from the date of the associated job, then permanently deleted. Anonymised aggregate data for route statistics may be retained indefinitely.
See our Data Retention Policy for the full schedule covering all data categories.
7. Security
Location data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest. Access is restricted to authorised WasteLinks personnel and your Vendor on a need-to-know basis.
8. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Access the location data we hold about you.
- Request deletion of your location history (subject to legal retention obligations).
- Object to processing where we rely on legitimate interests.
- Lodge a complaint with the ICO at ico.org.uk.
To exercise your rights, contact us at privacy@wastelinks.co.uk.
9. Contact
Data Controller: WasteLinks Ltd
Email: privacy@wastelinks.co.uk
WasteLinks Ltd · UK Waste Services Marketplace
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