Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 8, 2026

1. Introduction

Pulse Panel (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is a market research panel operated by AMPD Research Ltd. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you use the Pulse Panel mobile application and related services (collectively, the “Service”).

We are committed to transparency and to protecting your privacy. By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you register, we collect your email address and a self-selected username. We may also collect demographic information (age range, gender, country) that you voluntarily provide during onboarding surveys. This information is used to categorize panelists for research purposes and is never sold to third parties.

2.2 App Usage Data (Passive Meter)

With your explicit opt-in consent, Pulse Panel activates system-level usage tracking services on your device. These services do not intercept or route your traffic through our servers. Instead, they run entirely on your device and record metadata about network connections:

  • Destination domain names (e.g., netflix.com, youtube.com)
  • Volume of data transferred per connection (bytes sent/received)
  • Timestamps and duration of connections
  • The app that initiated each connection (package name)

We do not inspect, log, or store the actual content of your network traffic. The usage meter functions as a passive observer, not a traffic interceptor.

2.3 App Usage Statistics

With your permission, we collect information about which apps are installed and how frequently they are used (foreground time). This helps our research clients understand app engagement patterns across the panel.

2.4 Donated Viewing History (Data Donation)

You may voluntarily choose to “donate” your viewing history from supported streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix, YouTube, Disney+). This involves authorizing Pulse Panel to access your watch history through the streaming service's account pages. Donated data includes titles watched, watch timestamps, and completion status.

Data donation is entirely optional and can be revoked at any time.

2.5 Device Information

We collect basic device information necessary for the Service to function: device manufacturer and model, operating system version, app version, and screen resolution. We do not collect unique device identifiers such as IMEI, Android ID, or advertising IDs.

3. Data We Do Not Collect

Pulse Panel is designed to minimize data collection. We explicitly do not collect:

  • Passwords, login credentials, or authentication tokens for any service
  • Contents of personal messages, emails, SMS, or chat applications
  • Photos, videos, documents, or files stored on your device
  • Browsing history for non-streaming websites
  • Precise GPS location or location history
  • Contact lists, call logs, or calendar data
  • Financial information, banking app data, or payment details
  • Health data or biometric information
  • Keystrokes, screen recordings, or clipboard contents

4. How We Use Your Data

Collected data is used exclusively for market research purposes:

  • Aggregate analytics: We compile anonymous, aggregate reports on streaming service usage, app popularity, and media consumption trends. These reports are provided to our research clients (media companies, content producers, advertisers).
  • Panel management: Account information is used to manage your participation, deliver rewards, and communicate with you about the Service.
  • Service improvement: Usage patterns help us improve the Pulse Panel app and develop new research methodologies.

We never sell your individual data. All research outputs are aggregated and anonymized.

5. Data Processing and Security

5.1 PII Stripping

Before collected data is stored in our research databases, all personally identifiable information (PII) is stripped. Your usage data is associated with a randomized panel identifier, not your email address, name, or device identifiers.

5.2 Encryption

All data transmitted from your device to our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher. Data at rest is encrypted using AES-256 encryption in our cloud infrastructure.

5.3 Access Controls

Access to research data is restricted to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis. All access is logged and audited regularly.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. Usage data (app usage metadata, donated viewing history) is retained in identifiable form for a maximum of 24 months from the date of collection, after which it is either permanently anonymized or deleted.

Aggregated research data that cannot be linked back to any individual may be retained indefinitely for historical trend analysis.

Upon account deletion, all identifiable data associated with your account is deleted within 30 days.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

7.1 Right of Access

You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you. We will respond to verified requests within 30 days.

7.2 Right to Rectification

You may request correction of inaccurate personal data.

7.3 Right to Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal data at any time through the app or via our account deletion page. We will process deletion requests within 30 days.

7.4 Right to Data Portability

You may request your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.

7.5 Right to Withdraw Consent

You may withdraw your consent to data collection at any time by disabling the usage meter or data donation features in the app settings. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing performed prior to withdrawal.

7.6 Right to Object

You may object to the processing of your data for certain purposes. Contact us to exercise this right.

8. GDPR Compliance (European Economic Area)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data under the following legal bases:

  • Consent (Article 6(1)(a)): App usage metering, and data donation are activated only with your explicit, informed consent.
  • Contract (Article 6(1)(b)): Account management and reward delivery are necessary for the performance of our agreement with you.
  • Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f)): Aggregate analytics and service improvement, balanced against your rights and interests.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated.

9. CCPA Compliance (California)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

  • The right to know what personal information is collected and how it is used
  • The right to delete your personal information
  • The right to opt-out of the sale of personal information
  • The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

We do not sell your personal information. We share aggregated, anonymized research data with our clients, which does not constitute a “sale” under the CCPA.

10. Children's Privacy

Pulse Panel is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will promptly delete such information.

11. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate the platform:

  • Cloud hosting: Our servers are hosted on secure cloud infrastructure with SOC 2 compliance.
  • Analytics: We use privacy-respecting analytics to monitor app performance and crash reporting.
  • Payment processing: Reward payouts are processed through third-party payment providers who handle transactions under their own privacy policies.

We do not share your personal data with third-party advertisers or data brokers.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through the app or via email. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

AMPD Research Ltd.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam