Noetic Adventure Android App Privacy Policy

NoeticAdventure Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 19, 2024

1. Introduction

NoeticAdventure is an Android app developed and operated by the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), a non-profit research organization dedicated to supporting individual and collective transformation through consciousness research.

What This App Does: NoeticAdventure looks like a simple game, but it is actually a scientific experiment designed to test an observer-related interpretation of quantum mechanics using optical interferometry. Your participation contributes to fundamental physics research investigating if conscious observation affects quantum measurement outcomes.

Voluntary Participation: Your participation in this research is completely voluntary. You may stop using the app at any time. By using NoeticAdventure, you acknowledge that you understand its research purpose and consent to the anonymous data collection practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Experimental Data (Primary Research Data)

Optical Interferometer Measurements: Quantum-level photon detection events and interference patterns
Trial Outcomes: Results of each experimental trial including measurement timing and outcomes
Performance Metrics: Session scores

2.2 Device Information

Device: The type of Android device you are using is not recorded.
App Version: Version 1 of NoeticAdventure

2.3 Technical & App Performance Data

Recorded data: None.

2.4 Optional Account Information

Email Address: You may enter an email, but it is optional
Username: Your chosen display name (required)
Demographics: Any age is appropriate, but realistically adults (18 or older) are recommended to be able to follow the instructions

What We DO NOT Collect:

We do not collect your name, physical address, or phone number
We do not access your contacts, photos, or other personal files
We do not track your location beyond general country/region
We do not use facial recognition or biometric data
We do not record audio or video

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Research Purpose

All data collected is used exclusively for scientific research to:

Test the Consciousness-Collapse Hypothesis: Analyze whether conscious intention correlates with quantum measurement outcomes beyond chance expectation
Statistical Analysis: Statistical tests will be performed on the resulting data.
Publication: Results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, presented at conferences, and/or shared in research reports (always in aggregate, anonymized form)

3.2 Technical Purposes of the App

This is a smartphone complement to the web-based version of this experiment, located at NoeticAdventure.org

3.3 Aggregate Analysis

We analyze data in aggregate to understand:

Overall experimental effect sizes across all participants

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Research Collaborations

Anonymized experimental data may be shared with:

Scientific Collaborators: Other researchers and institutions working on similar consciousness-related studies
Peer Reviewers: For scientific journal publication review processes
Data Repositories: Anonymized datasets may be deposited in scientific data repositories to support research transparency and replication

Important: Any shared data is fully anonymized. Individual participants cannot be identified. Personal information (if any) is never shared.

4.2 Service Providers

We use third-party services to store and process user data:

Primary Database Hosting: All application data (user accounts, content, settings, and preferences) are stored in MongoDB Atlas, a cloud database service.

Server Location: Our MongoDB Atlas cluster is hosted in the United States.

Infrastructure Provider: MongoDB Atlas operates on Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers.

App Distribution: Our app is distributed via the Google Play Store, which collects installation and crash report data.

4.3 Legal Obligations

We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to:

Valid legal process (subpoena, court order)
Government requests
Protection of rights, property, or safety

4.4 What We NEVER Do

We NEVER sell your data to advertisers, data brokers, or any third parties
We NEVER use your data for advertising or marketing purposes
We NEVER share identifiable information with commercial entities

5. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your information:

5.1 Technical Safeguards

Encryption in Transit: All data transmitted between your device and our servers uses TLS/SSL encryption
Encryption at Rest: Data stored on servers is encrypted using industry-standard encryption (AES-256)
Access Controls: Only authorized research personnel have access to data
Secure Authentication: Multi-factor authentication for researcher access
Regular Security Audits: Periodic security assessments and updates

5.2 Anonymization Procedures

Device and individual identifiers are replaced with random research IDs
Personal information (if any) is anonymized when stored with experimental data
Published results contain only aggregate statistics
Individual trial data is analyzed only by authorized researchers

6. Data Retention

6.1 Experimental Data

Retention Period: Indefinite

Reason: Scientific research requires long-term data retention for:

Replication studies and verification
Meta-analyses combining multiple experiments
Long-term pattern detection (potentially spanning decades)
Scientific integrity and transparency
Historical comparison with future experiments

This follows standard scientific data retention practices and is permitted under GDPR Article 89 for research in the public interest.

6.2 Personally Identifiable Information

If you provide optional personal information (e.g., email):

It will be anonymized before any analytical studies are conducted
Can be deleted at any time upon request

6.3 Technical Logs

Performance data: Retained indefinitely for scientific data archiving

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your information:

7.1 Right to Access

You may request a copy of the data we have collected from your device (which is minimal). The interferometer data generated during the experiment will eventually be available, anonymously, as part of the publication process. Contact us at dradin@noetic.org for more information.

7.2 Right to Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information. Please note:

Personal identifiers (email, username) can be fully deleted
Anonymized experimental data will be retained for scientific integrity but cannot be linked back to you
This is consistent with research ethics standards that require maintaining scientific records

7.3 Right to Object

You may stop participating in the research at any time and for any reason.

7.4 Right to Withdraw Consent

You may withdraw consent for future data collection by uninstalling the app. Previously collected anonymized data may be retained as described above.

7.5 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, just stop using the app. For further questions, email us at: dradin@noetic.org

8. Children's Privacy

Age Requirement: NoeticAdventure is intended for adults aged 18 or older.

We do not knowingly collect information from people under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 18 has provided information to us (which within this app can only be an email address), please contact us immediately and we will delete such information.

For non-adult users, we recommend parental guidance in participating in this scientific research.

9. International Data Transfers

IONS Location: Institute of Noetic Sciences is based in the United States.

If you access NoeticAdventure from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our servers or service providers are located.
9.1 European Users (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, or Switzerland:

Legal Basis for Processing: Your consent and our legitimate interest in conducting scientific research (GDPR Article 6(1)(f) and Article 89)
Data Transfer Safeguards: We use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
Your Rights: You have additional rights under GDPR as described in Section 7
Supervisory Authority: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority

9.2 California Users (CCPA)

For California residents:

We do not sell personal information
You have the right to know what information we collect
You have the right to delete personal information
You have the right to opt-out of data sales (though we never sell data)
You have the right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

10. Research Ethics and Transparency

10.1 Scientific Integrity

Preregistration: Our experimental protocol and analysis plan are intended to be preregistered before data collection begins
Transparency: Research methods and results are published in peer-reviewed journals
Open Science: We support transparency in research and may share anonymized datasets

10.2 Institutional Review

This research has been approved by the Institute of Noetic Sciences’ Institutional Review Board.

10.3 Informed Consent

By using NoeticAdventure, you provide informed consent to:

Participate in consciousness research
Have your anonymized data used for scientific analysis
Have aggregate results published in scientific literature
Understand that this is experimental research with no guaranteed outcomes

11. Third-Party Links and Services

NoeticAdventure may contain links to the IONS website or other resources. This privacy policy applies only to the NoeticAdventure app. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect:

Changes in our research protocols
New legal requirements
Improvements to data protection practices
Addition of new features

Notification of Changes: We will notify you of significant changes by:

Displaying a notice in the app
Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Requiring re-acceptance of the policy for material changes

Your continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy, our research, or your data:

Institute of Noetic Sciences
Research Data Privacy
7250 Redwood Blvd., Suite 208
Novato, CA 94945-3271
United States

Email: dradin@noetic.org or research@noetic.org
Phone: [707-775-3500]
Website: https://noetic.org

Research Principal Investigator:
Dean Radin PhD, Chief Scientist

Institute of Noetic Sciences
Exploring the Frontiers of Consciousness Research Since 1973
© 2025 Dean Radin for Institute of Noetic Sciences.