Bark Quest Privacy Policy
BARK QUEST PRIVACY POLICY
Last updated: 21 July 2026
Bark Quest is a mobile adventure app operated by The Dog Training School in the United Kingdom.
This Privacy Policy explains how information is accessed, collected, used, stored and shared when you use Bark Quest, including when you sign in, create a dog profile, take part in quests, use location or camera features, upload photos, provide quest preferences, post results, appear on the Wall of Fame or leaderboard, contact us, or request account and data deletion.
Contact:
The Dog Training School
Email: info@thedogschool101.co.uk
Website: https://www.thedogschool101.co.uk
1. WHO WE ARE
Bark Quest is operated by The Dog Training School in the United Kingdom.
In this Privacy Policy, “Bark Quest”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean the operator of the Bark Quest app.
Privacy enquiries can be sent to:
info@thedogschool101.co.uk
2. INFORMATION BARK QUEST ACCESSES OR COLLECTS
The information involved depends on which Bark Quest features you use.
ACCOUNT AND SIGN-IN INFORMATION
Bark Quest uses Google Sign-In and Firebase Authentication.
When you sign in, we may receive and store:
- a unique user ID;
- your email address;
- your Google display name, where supplied;
- authentication information needed to identify and manage your Bark Quest account.
Bark Quest does not receive your Google password.
Firebase Authentication also automatically processes certain technical information, such as IP address, Firebase/SDK user-agent information and app identifiers, for authentication, security, abuse prevention and service operation.
DOG PROFILE INFORMATION
When you create or edit a dog profile, Bark Quest may collect:
- your dog’s name;
- your dog’s breed;
- your dog’s age;
- a dog profile photo you choose to upload;
- profile and account status information needed to operate the app.
QUEST, GAMEPLAY AND REWARD INFORMATION
To provide the Bark Quest experience and save progress, we collect information such as:
- quest and route identifiers;
- quest progress and current clue;
- clues completed;
- next-page or resume information;
- rewards and badges earned;
- quest completion status;
- completion date and time;
- completion duration;
- leaderboard visibility and result information;
- Wall of Fame status where applicable;
- records of share actions and public result links where a sharing feature is used.
QUEST PREFERENCES AND SUGGESTIONS
If you complete the Bark Quest preference or “Quest Shaper” feature, we may collect:
- the quest types or features you select;
- a suggested quest location or other suggestion you type;
- whether you completed the preferences step;
- the date and time the preferences were updated.
Please do not include unnecessary personal or sensitive information in free-text suggestions.
PHOTOS AND USER-UPLOADED CONTENT
You may choose to upload:
- a dog profile photo;
- a Bark Quest result or Wall of Fame photo;
- other images offered by an app feature.
A photo is not posted to the Wall of Fame simply because you take or select it. It is uploaded or published when you choose the relevant upload or posting action.
If you choose to post a Wall of Fame result or other public result, the photo and related result information may become visible to other people.
LOCATION
Bark Quest may request access to your device’s current location for location-based gameplay, including features such as the Puppy Zone and map/proximity checks.
Depending on your device settings and the permission you grant, the location available to the app may be approximate or precise.
Bark Quest uses current location while you are actively using a location-based feature to:
- show your position where a map feature requires it;
- calculate how far you are from a quest or reward point;
- determine whether a location-based feature can be unlocked.
Bark Quest does not request background-location permission and is not designed to track you continuously in the background.
Bark Quest does not store a continuous GPS route history or a trail of your movements in your Bark Quest account.
The Google Maps SDK and other Google/Firebase services used by the app may separately process technical information such as IP address, device metadata, service identifiers and map-interaction information as described under “Services we use” below.
CAMERA
Bark Quest may request camera access for features such as:
- scanning a Bark Quest QR code;
- taking a dog or quest photo;
- other camera-based quest features.
Camera access is used when you choose to use a camera-based feature.
Camera images are not automatically published. Photos are uploaded or posted only when you choose an upload, profile-photo, Wall of Fame or similar action.
MARKETING AND NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Marketing is optional.
If you actively opt in to Bark Quest updates, special events, rewards or related marketing, we may collect:
- your user ID;
- your email address;
- your opt-in choice;
- the wording/source of the consent;
- the date and time of the consent or preference update.
Where you have opted in, we may use your email address to send information about Bark Quest routes, events, rewards, sponsor offers and relevant services from The Dog Training School.
You can opt out of marketing at any time. Opting out of marketing does not stop essential account, support, deletion or safety communications.
TECHNICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND APP-PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Bark Quest uses Firebase and Google services that may automatically process technical and diagnostic information needed to operate, secure and monitor the app.
Depending on the service and configuration, this may include:
- app start and network-performance information;
- CPU and memory usage associated with app performance;
- device and operating-system metadata;
- app and SDK version information;
- IP address;
- Firebase installation ID or similar pseudonymous service identifiers;
- session and service-operation information;
- crash metrics and stack traces generated within an SDK;
- map interaction information such as panning or zooming where collected by the Google Maps SDK.
These technical services are used for app functionality, authentication, security, diagnostics, stability, performance monitoring and service improvement.
SUPPORT, REPORT AND DELETION REQUESTS
If you contact us by email, website form, support form, report form or account-deletion form, we collect the information you provide so that we can identify your request and respond to it.
Please do not send passwords or unnecessary sensitive information.
3. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
We use information described in this policy to:
- create, authenticate and manage Bark Quest accounts;
- create and save dog profiles;
- provide and resume quests;
- save progress and completion information;
- operate clues, QR features, maps, Puppy Zone and other location-based features;
- issue and display rewards and badges;
- calculate and display completion results;
- operate the leaderboard and Wall of Fame;
- create or record public result links and sharing actions where you choose those features;
- remember quest preferences and suggestions;
- send marketing only where you have opted in or where otherwise legally permitted;
- manage consent and unsubscribe requests;
- provide contextual Bark Quest sponsor, partner, reward or charity information;
- respond to support, privacy, report and deletion requests;
- detect misuse, secure the service and maintain account integrity;
- diagnose errors and monitor app stability and performance;
- test, maintain and improve Bark Quest.
4. PUBLIC SHARING, WALL OF FAME AND LEADERBOARD
Bark Quest includes features that can make selected information public or visible to other users.
If you choose to post a result or make a result visible, information shown may include:
- your dog’s name;
- your dog’s photo or another photo you choose to post;
- the quest or route name;
- your completion result;
- your completion time or duration;
- a public result link.
Leaderboard entries may show result information selected for the leaderboard.
Do not post a photo or information that you do not want to be publicly visible.
You can request removal of public Bark Quest content through the Bark Quest Support page, Account & Data Deletion page, or by emailing info@thedogschool101.co.uk.
5. PROMOTIONAL CONTENT, SPONSORS AND OFFERS
Bark Quest may contain contextual sponsor messages, partner offers, charity information, local business promotions, rewards, vouchers or information about Bark Quest and The Dog Training School.
This content may be related to the quest, route, reward, sponsor or event being viewed.
Bark Quest does not currently use a third-party advertising network.
We do not use precise GPS location to build an advertising profile about you, and we do not sell your personal information.
If third-party advertising networks or materially different advertising, tracking or paid features are added in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy and the relevant Google Play declarations before or when those features are introduced.
6. SERVICES WE USE
Bark Quest uses service providers to operate the app.
GOOGLE / FIREBASE
Bark Quest uses Google and Firebase services including Firebase Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Storage and Firebase Performance Monitoring.
These services support:
- Google Sign-In and authentication;
- database storage;
- file/photo storage;
- app security and operation;
- diagnostics and performance monitoring.
Firebase Authentication may automatically process information such as IP address, Firebase/SDK user-agent information and app identifiers. Depending on the authentication method, it also processes account information such as email address, display name and a Firebase user ID.
Firebase Performance Monitoring automatically processes performance information such as app-start/network performance, CPU/memory usage, relevant device metadata and IP address. Firebase Installations generates a per-installation identifier used by Firebase services.
GOOGLE MAPS
Bark Quest uses Google Maps technology for map-based features.
The Google Maps SDK may automatically process request/device metadata, crash metrics or stack traces generated within the SDK, IP address and a Maps SDK-specific pseudonymous identifier. Depending on how a map feature is used, it may also process map-interaction events such as panning and zooming.
GOOGLE PLAY
Google Play is used for Android app distribution, installation and updates. Google processes information under its own terms and privacy practices.
WIX
Wix is used for Bark Quest website pages and may be used for:
- legal and privacy pages;
- support and report forms;
- account and data deletion requests;
- Wall of Fame or public result pages;
- other Bark Quest web content.
Information submitted directly through a Wix-hosted page may also be processed by Wix according to its own privacy and security practices.
DEVICE SHARING AND OTHER APPS
If you choose to share a Bark Quest result through another application, such as email, messaging, WhatsApp or social media, that application or platform will process the information according to its own privacy policy and terms.
Bark Quest does not control what another platform does with information after you choose to send or publish it there.
7. SHARING OF INFORMATION
We share or make information available only where needed to:
- provide Bark Quest and the features you request;
- use service providers that host, authenticate, store, secure, diagnose or support the service;
- publish information that you have actively chosen to make public;
- comply with law or a valid legal requirement;
- investigate abuse, fraud or security issues;
- protect Bark Quest, its users or others.
Service providers process information on our behalf or under their own service terms as applicable.
If you choose to use a sponsor, partner, voucher or external offer, information you provide directly to that third party is handled under that third party’s terms and privacy policy.
We do not sell your personal information.
8. LAWFUL BASES UNDER UK DATA PROTECTION LAW
Where UK data protection law applies, the lawful basis depends on the feature and information involved.
We may process information because:
- it is necessary to provide the Bark Quest account and gameplay service you request;
- it is necessary for our legitimate interests in operating, securing, diagnosing, improving and protecting Bark Quest;
- you have chosen to upload, publish or share content;
- you have given consent, including for optional marketing and device permissions where consent is required;
- we need to comply with a legal obligation;
- we need to respond to privacy, support, safety or deletion requests.
Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw that consent. This may prevent an optional feature from working.
9. INTERNATIONAL PROCESSING
Google/Firebase, Google Maps, Wix and other service providers may process or store information outside the United Kingdom.
Where required, we rely on the transfer mechanisms and safeguards made available by those service providers and applicable data-protection law.
10. HOW LONG WE KEEP INFORMATION
We keep account and gameplay information for as long as reasonably needed to operate Bark Quest and your account, unless you request deletion or a shorter period is required by law.
Public Wall of Fame, leaderboard or result information may remain visible until it is removed, the feature ends, or you request deletion/removal.
Marketing consent and opt-out records may be retained where reasonably needed to demonstrate and manage communication preferences.
Support and deletion-request records may be retained for a reasonable period to show that the request was handled and to meet legal, security or dispute-resolution needs.
Technical, diagnostic and performance information may be retained for the periods applied by the relevant service provider.
We may retain anonymous or aggregated statistics that can no longer reasonably be linked to you.
11. ACCOUNT AND DATA DELETION
You can request deletion of your Bark Quest account and the associated personal data.
IN THE APP
Bark Quest provides an in-app “Delete Bark Quest account & data” link which opens the Bark Quest Account & Data Deletion page.
WEB DELETION PAGE
https://www.thedogschool101.co.uk/bark-quest-account-deletion
When a full account-deletion request is processed, we delete the Bark Quest account and associated data linked to that account where applicable, including:
- Firebase Authentication account information;
- Bark Quest player/profile information;
- dog profile information;
- uploaded dog profile photos;
- quest preferences and suggestions linked to the account;
- newsletter/marketing subscriber data linked to the account, subject to any minimal opt-out record that must be retained;
- quest progress;
- rewards and badges;
- completion records linked to the account;
- share-event records linked to the account;
- Wall of Fame posts linked to the account;
- leaderboard entries linked to the account;
- uploaded Wall of Fame/result photos linked to the account;
- public result pages linked to the account.
We may retain limited information only where there is a legitimate need or legal requirement, for example security, fraud prevention, legal compliance, dispute resolution or proof of a marketing opt-out. Where information is retained for one of these reasons, it will not be kept for unrelated purposes.
Anonymous or aggregated statistics that cannot reasonably be linked back to you may remain.
We aim to handle deletion requests without undue delay and within one month.
Deleting or uninstalling the Bark Quest app from your device does not itself delete your Bark Quest account or associated cloud data.
12. SECURITY
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect Bark Quest information.
These measures include, where applicable:
- authenticated access;
- Firebase database and storage security rules;
- encrypted network connections provided by our service providers;
- access controls;
- limiting public access to information intended for public features;
- trusted hosting and authentication providers.
No internet-connected service can guarantee absolute security.
13. YOUR CHOICES AND RIGHTS
You can control device permissions, including location and camera permission, through your device settings.
You may also choose whether to:
- upload a photo;
- post to the Wall of Fame;
- participate in public result features;
- opt in to marketing.
Depending on applicable law, you may have rights to:
- ask what personal information we hold about you;
- obtain a copy of your personal information;
- correct inaccurate information;
- request deletion;
- request restriction of certain processing;
- object to certain processing;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
If you are in the United Kingdom, you may also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office about the handling of your personal information.
You are welcome to contact us first at info@thedogschool101.co.uk.
14. CHILDREN AND SUPERVISED USE
Bark Quest is intended for dog owners and adult handlers taking part in outdoor activities.
It is not designed as an app specifically directed at children.
Children may take part in a Bark Quest activity only with the permission and supervision of a parent, guardian or responsible adult.
If you believe personal information from a child has been provided to Bark Quest without appropriate adult involvement, contact us so that we can review and, where appropriate, delete it.
15. WEBSITE, COOKIES AND FORMS
Bark Quest legal pages, support forms, account-deletion forms and public result pages may be hosted on The Dog Training School website using Wix.
The website may use cookies, security technologies and form-processing tools needed to operate the site and its features. Additional cookie information may be provided on the website where required.
16. AUTOMATED GAMEPLAY FEATURES
Bark Quest uses automatic app logic to operate gameplay, for example checking quest progress, proximity to a quest feature, reward eligibility, completion status and leaderboard position.
These automated features are used for gameplay and app operation.
They are not used to make legal, financial, employment, insurance, credit, housing or similarly significant decisions about you.
17. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy when Bark Quest changes, including when new routes, services, SDKs, sponsor features, payments or advertising features are added.
When the policy changes, the “Last updated” date will be changed.
18. CONTACT
For privacy questions, support or deletion requests:
The Dog Training School
United Kingdom
Email: info@thedogschool101.co.uk
Website: https://www.thedogschool101.co.uk
Bark Quest Support:
https://www.thedogschool101.co.uk//bark-quest-support-report
Bark Quest Account & Data Deletion:
https://www.thedogschool101.co.uk/bark-quest-account-deletion