Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Thanks for visiting Oortu's Privacy Policy.

When you use Oortu, you trust us with your personal data. We’re committed to keeping that trust. That starts with helping you understand our privacy practices.

This privacy policy describes the personal data (“data”) we collect, how it’s used and shared, and your choices regarding this data. We recommend that you read this along with our Terms and Conditions and Cookie Policy.

2. Data controller

We are Oortu Technologies Limited (collectively referred to as “we”, “our” or “us” in this policy). We are the data controller for the data collected in connection with use of Oortu's services in the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

Oortu operates, and processes personal data so that we can offer you a seamless experience. We also respect your data protection rights wherever you are.

In this policy, ‘Oortu ’ refers to the website (URL: www.Oortu .com) and mobile application Oortu (iOS/Android apps and related applications) operated by Oortu Technologies Limited. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all users of our website oortu.com, or mobile applications (together, the "Sites"). Please read this privacy policy that explains how we use and protect your personal information. By using Oortu ’s services, you agree to Oortu ’s Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions and Cookie Policy.

If you have any queries or requests about this privacy policy or how we handle your information more generally, you can get in touch with us via email at contact@o ortu .com.

3. Data collection and uses

As part of our commitment to the privacy of our customers and visitors to our Sites more generally, we want to be clear about the sorts of information we will collect from you.

Oortu collects the following data:

3.1. Data provided by users to Oortu (such as during account creation)

3.1.1. User profile information

We collect data when users create or update their Oortu account, or access app via guest checkout features. This may include their name, email, phone number, date of birth, login name and password, address, profile picture, payment, or banking information (including related payment verification information).

3.1.2. Demographic data

We may collect demographic data about users, such as birth date/age, gender, or occupation, when required for certain Oortu services. We may also collect demographic data through user surveys.

3.1.3. User content

We collect the data submitted by users when they contact Oortu customer support, provide ratings or feedback for other users or otherwise contact Oortu . This may include photographs, or audio or video recordings submitted by users in connection with a customer support request. This also includes metadata relating to the method you use to communicate with Oortu.

3.2. Data created during use of our services (such as location, app usage and device data). This includes:

3.2.1. Location data

We collect precise or approximate location information from users’ mobile devices if they enable us to do so via their device settings. Oortu collects such data from the time the app is opened until it is closed, and any time the app is running in the foreground (app open and on-screen). See “Choice and transparency” for information on how users can enable precise location data collection.

Users may use the Oortu app without enabling collection of location data from their mobile devices. However, this may affect certain features in the Oortu app and compromise the seamless experience of charging. For example, a user who has not enabled precise location data will have to manually enter their current location.

In addition, precise location data collected from a user’s device during a search for a charge point or charging at a charge point is linked to the user’s account, even if the user has not enabled precise location data to be collected from their device. This data is used for purposes such as receipt generation, customer support, fraud detection and litigation.

3.2.2. Connected vehicle data

While connecting your vehicle, we only access the vehicles’ state of charge and status. Resetting your password or deleting your vehicle in Oortu will stop any access to your vehicle in the future. While accessing your vehicle, we only access the vehicles state of charge and status.

Under no circumstances do we send any other commands to your vehicle. We use the vehicle access data to connect the vehicle with the platform, to collect specific vehicle data and to process it.

With the vehicle access data provided by the user, the service logs on to the interface offered by the respective vehicle manufacturer. The data of the respective vehicle are collected via the interface (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle data") and processed on the platform for display and calculations triggered by the user.

If you decide to delete the vehicle connection from the app, all data associated with this vehicle information and the vehicle information itself are deleted.

Vehicle data is the information made available via the interfaces, in particular vehicle model data, vehicle status, energy consumption and battery information.

The processing is carried out exclusively for the purpose of providing the service. This data processing is justified by the fact that the processing is necessary for the fulfilment of the contract between you as a data subject and us pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR for the use of the platform.

3.2.3. Transaction information

We collect transaction information related to the use of our services, including the type of services requested or provided; charge point location details (such as requested location of charge point, distance to charge point, types of connectors available, power of charge point); vehicle charging details (such a kilowatt hours charged and time taken to charge the vehicle); and payment transaction information (such as a merchant's name and location, amount charged, and payment method). We also associate a user’s name with that of anyone who uses their promotion code.

3.2.4. Usage data

We collect data about how users interact with our services. This includes access dates and times, app features or pages viewed, browser type, and app crashes and other system activity.

3.2.5. Device data

We collect data about the devices used to access our services, including the hardware models, device IP address or other unique device identifiers, operating systems and versions, software, preferred languages, advertising identifiers, device motion data, and mobile network data.

We also collect technical information about your use of our services through a mobile device, for example, carrier, location data and performance data such as mobile payment methods, interaction with other retail technology such as use of NFC Tags, QR Codes and/or use of mobile vouchers. Unless you have elected to remain anonymous through your device and/or platform settings, this information may be collected and used by us automatically if you use the service through your mobile device(s) via Oortu mobile application, through your mobile's browser or otherwise.

3.2.6. Communication data

We collect data regarding phone, text or in-app communications between users that are enabled through Oortu’s app. This includes date and time, as well as the content of text or in-app messages. We may also collect the content of phone calls solely where users are notified in advance that the call may be recorded.

3.2.7. Aggregated data

We may also collect or create aggregated data about you such as statistical or demographic data for any purpose. Such aggregated data could be derived from your personal information but is not considered personal data in law as this data will not directly or indirectly reveal your identity.

This data is used for industry and market analysis, demographic profiling, marketing, and other business purposes (such as generating aggregated data about the number of users using specific EV charging stations, sharing that data in anonymous format with Charging Point Operators and/or other partners).

However, if we combine or connect Aggregated Data with your personal information so that it can directly or indirectly identify you, we treat the combined data as personal information, which will be used in accordance with this Policy.

Where we need to collect information by law, or under the terms of a contract we have with you, and you fail to provide that information, we may not be able to perform the contract we have or are trying to enter with you (for example, to provide you with our services). In this case, we may have to cancel our service to you.

3.3. Data from other sources

Users participating in our referral programs. For example, when a user refers another person, we receive the referred person’s data from that user.
Oortu account owners who request services for or on behalf of other users (such as friends or family members), or who enable other users to request or receive services through their business accounts
Oortu business partners through which users create or access their Oortu account, such as payment providers, social media services, or apps or websites that use Oortu’s APIs or whose APIs Oortu uses.
Oortu business partners in connection with debit or credit cards issued by a financial institution in partnership with Oortuto the extent disclosed in the terms and conditions for the card.
publicly available sources
marketing service providers or data resellers whose data Oortuuses for marketing or research.
law enforcement officials and other government authorities.

4. How we use personal data

Oortu uses data to enable reliable, convenient, and seamless charging experience.

We use the data we collect:

4.1. To provide our services

Oortu uses data to provide, personalize, maintain, and improve our services. This includes using data to:

create/update accounts.
enable services/features, such as: using location data to navigate users to the nearest charge point(s), plan trips, charge vehicles at charge stations and track their charging activity.
features that involve data sharing, such as sharing charge point information and vehicle information with users to facilitate navigation to the nearest charge point with compatible chargers, charging vehicle at a charge point, user ratings and feedback.
process payments.
personalise users’ accounts. For example, we may present a user with personalised charge point recommendations based on their recent use of charge points.
facilitate invoicing solutions.
provide users with charge point availability updates, generate receipts, and inform them of changes to our terms, services, or policies.
perform necessary operations to maintain our services, including to troubleshoot software bugs and operational problems.

Oortu performs the above activities on the grounds that they are necessary to fulfil the terms of our agreements with users, or on the grounds that they are necessary for purposes of Oortu’s and its users’ legitimate interests.

4.2. Safety and security

We use data to help maintain the safety, security, and integrity of our services and users. This includes using device, location, user profile, usage, and other data to prevent, detect, and combat other types of fraud. This includes identifying fraudulent accounts or uses of our services, verifying user identities in connection with certain payment methods, and preventing and combating unauthorized access to users’ accounts.

4.3. Customer support

Oortu uses the information we collect (which may include call recordings) to provide customer support, including to investigate and address user concerns and to monitor and improve our customer support responses and processes.

Oortu performs the above activities on the grounds that they are necessary to fulfil the terms of our agreements with users or for purposes of Oortu’s legitimate interest in monitoring and improving its customer support services.

4.4. Research and development

We use data for testing, research, analysis, product development, and machine learning to improve the user experience. This helps us make our services more convenient and easy-to-use, enhance the safety and security of our services, and develop new services and features.

Oortu performs the above activities on the grounds that they are necessary for purposes of Oortu’s legitimate interests in improving and developing new services and features. Oortu performs the above activities on the grounds that they are necessary to fulfil the terms of our agreements with users.

5. Marketing and advertising

Oortu uses data (other than Guest Users’ data) to market its services.

This may include:

Where you have given your consent or where we have a legitimate interest for doing so (and are permitted to do so by law) we will use your information to let you know about our other products and services, or Oortu initiatives that may be of interest to you and we may contact you to do so by sending email, text messages, push notification, and in-app messages or other communications marketing or advertising Oortu products, services, features, offers, promotions, sweepstakes, news and events.

This may include using location, trip and charging history, and usage data to send marketing communications that are personalized based on users’ observed or inferred interests and characteristics. For example, we may send push notifications suggesting a user’s favourite destinations or merchants, or in-app messages offering discounts for charge stations similar to those a user has previously used.

Displaying Oortu advertising on third party apps or websites. This includes using location, trip and charge history, and usage data, and sharing hashed email addresses and device or user identifiers with advertising partners (such as Facebook and TikTok), to personalize such ads to users’ interests. For more information on our use of advertising technologies and cookies, please see our Cookie Policy.

You can control your marketing preferences by:
- visiting our website, www.Oortu.com, or mobile application;
- clicking on ‘Settings’; and
- scrolling down to "Marketing Preferences".

Where you have chosen at a device level to begin or continue receiving push notifications from us, we may send you push notifications relating to the services that you have requested from us and information about our services, offers and Oortu initiatives. You can choose to stop receiving push notifications from us at any time by changing your preferences on your mobile device.

We do not sell or share users’ data with third parties for purposes of their direct marketing or advertising, except with users’ consent. However, in order to display and measure the effectiveness of personalized third-party ads, we may share data with advertising intermediaries, such as advertising or device identifier, hashed email address, IP address, approximate location, and current trip or order information. These intermediaries may use or share the data for their own purposes.

Oortu performs the above activities on the grounds that they are necessary for purposes of Oortu’s legitimate interests in informing users about Oortu services and features or those offered by Oortu partners.

6. Non-marketing communications

Oortu may use data to send surveys and other communications that are not for the purpose of marketing the services or products of Oortu.

7. Legal proceedings and requirements

We use data to investigate or address claims or disputes relating to use of Oortu’s services, to satisfy requirements under applicable laws, regulations, or operating licenses or agreements, or pursuant to legal process or governmental request, including from law enforcement.

Oortu performs the above activities on the grounds that they are necessary for purposes of Oortu’s legitimate interests in investigating and responding to claims and disputes relating to use of Oortu’s services and features, and/or necessary for compliance with applicable legal requirements.

8. Cookies and third-party technologies

Oortu uses cookies and other identification technologies on our app, websites, emails, and online ads for purposes described in this notice, and Oortu’s Cookie Policy.

You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of the website may become inaccessible or not function properly. For more information about the cookies we use, and how to set or amend your cookie preferences, please see our Cookie Policy.

Cookies are small text files that are stored on browsers or devices by websites, apps, online media, and advertisements. Oortu uses cookies and similar technologies for purposes such as:

authenticating users
remembering user preferences and settings
determining the popularity of content
delivering and measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
analysing site traffic and trends, and generally understanding the online behaviours and interests of people who interact with our services

We may also allow others to provide audience measurement and analytics services for us, to serve advertisements on our behalf across the internet, and to track and report on the performance of those advertisements. These entities may use cookies, web beacons, SDKs, and other technologies to identify the devices used by visitors to our websites, as well as when they visit other online sites and services.

Please see our Cookie Policy for more information regarding the use of cookies and other technologies described in this section.

9. Data sharing and disclosure

Some of Oortu’s services and features require that we share data with other users or at a user’s request. We may also share such data with our affiliates and partners, for legal reasons or in connection with claims or disputes.

Oortu may share data:

9.1. With other users

This includes sharing:

Users’ name, charging activity information with the charge point operator for vehicle charging. We may also share ratings and feedback, or other information to the extent required by law, with the charge point operator to improve and enhance users’ charging experience.
Users’ ratings, feedback and details like the time and date a charge point was last used for charging, to other users.
We also provide users with invoices containing information such as a details of charge point operator, breakdown of amount charged and charging activity details. We also include other information on those receipts if required by law.
For those who participate in Oortu’s referral programme, we share certain data of referred users, such as charge count, with the user who referred them, to the extent relevant to determining the referral reward

9.2. At the user’s request

This includes sharing data with:

Oortu business partners. For example, if a user requests a service through a partnership or promotional offering made by a third party, Oortu may share certain data with those third parties. This may include, for example, other services, platforms, apps, or websites that integrate with our APIs; those with an API or service with which we integrate; or charge point operators or other Oortu partners and their users in connection with promotions, contests, or specialised services.

9.3. With the general public

Questions or comments from users submitted through public forums such as Oortu blogs and Oortu social media pages may be viewable by the public, including any data included in the questions or comments submitted by a user.

9.4. With the Oortu account owner

If a user receives services through an account owned by another party, we may share their charging details, including charging activity and data, with the owner of that account. This occurs, for example, when:

a user uses their employer’s Oortu for business profile or uses our services for commercial purposes. This includes information about the charging points you have used, the volume of electricity you have consumed, the frequency of your charging sessions, among others, which may be disclosed either at aggregated or individual level at Oortu’s sole discretion. Generally, such information is used by commercial subscribers (in this case, your organisation) for business purpose such as assessing and monitoring how employees are using Oortu’s services.
a user charges vehicle under family profile

9.5. With Oortu service providers and business partners

These include:

sharing your information with our partners (such as charge point operators), who have access to limited information to enable them to fulfil your charging needs at a charge point. If you submit comments and feedback regarding our services and charge point partners/operators, we may share such comments and feedback with our partners.
payment processors and facilitators
IT service providers (including cloud storage providers)
Customer support providers (including, but not limited to, companies that assist us to provide customer or technical support), third party service providers for the purpose of enabling them to provide their services, including (without limitation) IT service providers, data storage, hosting and server providers (such as Google Cloud Services), ad networks, analytics (such as Google Analytics), app development platforms (such as Google Firebase)
Google, in connection with the use of Google Maps in Oortu’s app (see Google’s privacy policy for information on their collection and use of data)
social media companies, including Facebook and TikTok, in connection with Oortu’s use of their tools in Oortu app and websites
Advertising intermediaries who enable Oortu to display and measure the effectiveness of personalized ads.
marketing partners and marketing platform providers, including social media advertising services, advertising networks, third-party data providers, and other service providers to reach or better understand our users and measure advertising effectiveness
research partners, including those performing surveys or research projects in partnership with Oortu or on Oortu behalf
vendors that assist Oortu to enhance the safety and security of Oortu apps and services
consultants, lawyers, accountants, and other professional service providers
our employees, contractors and/or related entities (on a “need to know” basis)

9.6. For legal reasons or in the event of a dispute

Oortu may share users’ data if we believe it’s required by applicable law, regulation, operating license or agreement, legal process, or governmental request, or where the disclosure is otherwise appropriate due to safety or similar concerns.

This includes sharing data with law enforcement officials, other government authorities, or other third parties as necessary to enforce our Terms of Service, user agreements, or other policies; to protect Oortu’s rights or property or the rights, safety, or property of others; or in the event of a claim or dispute relating to the use of our services. In the event of a dispute relating to use of another person’s credit card, we may be required by law to share your data, including charging information, with the owner of that credit card.

9.7.With consent

Oortu may share a user’s data other than as described in this notice if we notify the user and they consent to the sharing. Oortu will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this privacy policy and applicable laws when it is transferred to third parties.

10.Data retention and deletion

Oortu retains user data for as long as necessary for the purposes described above.

Oortu retains user data to provide its services and comply with its legal obligations. Oortu retains user data for as long as necessary for the purposes described above. The period for which we retain user data is determined by the type of data, the category of user to whom the data relates and the purposes for which we collected the data.

The length for which Oortu retains user data may further be determined by legal and regulatory requirements, purposes of safety, security and fraud prevention, or by issues relating to the user’s account such as an outstanding credit or an unresolved claim or dispute.

For example:

We retain user data of users that is processed in order to provide our services, such as the user profile information and credentials, for the lifetime of the user’s account.
We retain certain categories of users, regardless of the lifetime of the user’s account, such as charging data used to calculate the cost of charging to comply with Tax regulations.
We retain certain categories of data of all users for a period unrelated to the lifetime of the user’s account to avoid fraudulent use of the app. The period for which the data is retained will be determined by the necessity of the data for purposes of safety, security and fraud prevention, as well as legal and regulatory requirements.
Pursuant to legal and regulatory requirements, for purposes of safety, security and fraud prevention, or because of an issue relating to the user’s account such as an outstanding credit or an unresolved claim or dispute, we may retain certain categories of data after the deletion of the user’s account, such as user profile information.

Users may request deletion of their accounts at any time. Oortu may retain user data after a deletion request due to legal or regulatory requirements or for reasons stated in this policy.

Users may request deletion of their account at any time through the Settings > Privacy menus in the Oortu app.

Following an account deletion request, Oortu deletes the user’s account and data, unless they must be retained due to legal or regulatory requirements; for purposes of safety, security and fraud prevention; or because of an issue relating to the user’s account such as an outstanding credit or an unresolved claim or dispute. Users’ data is generally deleted within 90 days of a deletion request, except where retention is necessary for the above reasons.

11.Choice and Transparency

Oortu enables users to access and/or control data that Oortu collects, including through:

privacy settings
device permissions
in-app ratings pages
marketing choices

Oortu also enables users to request access to or copies of their data, make changes or updates to their accounts, request deletion of their accounts or request that Oortu restrict its processing of user data.

11.1. Privacy settings

The Settings > Privacy menu in the Oortu app allows users to set or update their preferences regarding location data collection and sharing, and notifications.

11.1.1.Location data collection (users)

Users and order recipients can enable/disable Oortu to collect location data from their mobile devices through their device settings, which can be accessed via the Settings > Location > Device Settings menu in the Oortu app

11.1.2.Share live location (users)

Users can enable/disable Oortu to share their real-time location data from their mobile devices through their device settings, which can be accessed via the Settings > Location > Device Settings menu in the Oortu app

11.1.3.Notification: account and charging updates

Oortu provides users with charging status notifications and updates related to activity on their account. These notifications are a necessary part of using the Oortu app and cannot be disabled. However, users may choose the method by which they receive these notifications through the Settings > Notification > Device Settings menu in the Oortu app

11.1.4.Notification: discounts and news

Users may enable Oortu to send push notifications about discounts and news from Oortu. Push notifications may be enabled or disabled through the Settings > Notification > Device Settings menu in the Oortu app.

11.2.Device Permissions

Most mobile device platforms (iOS, Android, etc.) have defined certain types of device data that apps cannot access without the device owner’s permission, and these platforms have different methods for how that permission can be obtained. Please check the available settings on your device or check with your provider.

11.3.In-app rating pages

After every charging session, users are able to rate the service on a scale from 1 to 5 or number of stars, an average of those ratings is associated with a user’s account and is displayed to other users. For example, user ratings are available to charge point operators/ networks from whom they request a charging session, and charge point ratings are available to other users.

11.4.Marketing and advertising choices

Oortu provides users with the following choices regarding how their data is used for purposes of marketing and advertising:

11.4.1.Personalised marketing communications from Oortu

Users may choose whether to receive communications (such as emails, push notifications and in-app messages) about Oortu products and services that are personalised based on their data to make it more relevant to them. Users may also choose in Settings whether to receive any marketing emails from Oortu.

11.4.2.OortuAds

Users may choose in Settings whether their data is used and shared with advertising partners to deliver personalised ads about Oortu products and services on third-party apps and websites, or to measure the effectiveness of such ads.

11.4.3.Cookie and related technologies

For information on how to control Oortu’s use of cookies and related technologies, including for purposes of displaying personalised ads, please see our Cookie Policy.

11.5.User data requests

Oortu provides users with a variety of ways to learn about, control and submit questions and comments about Oortu’s handling of their data.

11.5.1.Accessing data

Users can access data including their profile data and charging activity or charging history through the Oortu app. You may write to us asking what information we hold on you and request a copy of that information.

11.5.2.Data portability

You may also request that we transfer the personal information to another third party. In this case, we will transfer your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. Note that this right only applies to automated information which you initially provided consent for us to use or where we used the information to perform a contract with you.

11.5.3.Charging or updating data

Users can edit the name, phone number, email address, payment method and photo associated with their account through the Settings menu in Oortu’s app. If you believe that any information, we hold about you is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading, please contact us. We will take reasonable steps to correct any information found to be inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, or out of date.

11.5.4.Deleting data

Users may request deletion of their account at any time in the Settings > Edit Account menus in the Oortu app.

11.5.5.Objections, restrictions, and complaints

Users may request that we stop using all or some of their data, or that we limit our use of their data. This includes objecting to our use of data that is based on Oortu’s legitimate interests. Oortu may continue to process data after such objection or request to the extent required or permitted by law.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us in writing at contact@oortu.com.

12.Updates to this privacy policy

We may occasionally update this notice. If we make significant changes, we will notify users in advance of the changes through the Oortu app or through other means, such as email. We encourage users to periodically review this notice for the latest information on our privacy practices.

Use of our services after an update constitutes consent to the updated notice to the extent permitted by law.