Last updated: 2 July 2026
 

Welcome
Your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains what information STOP collects, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you have about your personal information.

STOP is designed for users in the United Kingdom and is committed to protecting your personal data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What information we collect
When you use STOP, we may collect:

•    Your username.
•    Your email address.
•    Your mood ratings.
•    Your answers to word puzzles.
•    Your responses to surveys.
•    Any feedback, comments or other information you choose to provide through the app.
•    Technical information needed to operate the service, such as device information, app version, IP address and usage logs.

You should avoid including sensitive personal information in free-text feedback unless it is necessary.

Why we collect your information
We use your information to:

•    Create and manage your account.
•    Provide the features and services within STOP.
•    Save your progress and personalise your experience.
•    Understand how people use the app so we can improve it.
•    Respond to your questions, comments or support requests.
•    Monitor the security and reliability of our service.
•    Meet our legal obligations where required.

We will only use your personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so under UK GDPR. This will usually be because:

•    It is necessary to provide the service you have requested.
•    We have a legitimate interest in improving and securing the app.
•    You have given your consent where consent is required.

How we store your information
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

Your information is stored securely using our trusted service provider, Cogniss, with appropriate security controls. You can view the Cogniss privacy policy in the STOP app. Access to your personal information is limited to people who need it to provide and support the service.

We keep your information only for as long as it is needed to provide the service, meet legal obligations or resolve disputes. When your information is no longer required, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

Sharing your information
We do not sell your personal information.

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate STOP, such as hosting providers, cloud storage providers and analytics providers. These providers are required to protect your information and only process it on our behalf.

We may also disclose information where required by law or to protect our legal rights.

Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

•    Access the personal information we hold about you.
•    Ask us to correct inaccurate information.
•    Request that we delete your personal information.
•    Object to or restrict certain types of processing.
•    Request a copy of your personal information in a portable format where applicable.
•    Withdraw your consent where we rely on consent.

How to request deletion
If you would like us to delete your account or personal information, please email us at:
STOPresearchenquiries@kcl.ac.uk

Please include the email address associated with your account so that we can verify your request.

We will respond as soon as possible and, where applicable, within one month, as required by UK GDPR.
Please note that we may retain certain information where we are legally required to do so or where it is necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

Cookies and analytics
Where STOP uses analytics or similar technologies, they are used to understand how the app is used, improve performance and identify technical issues.

Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before using non-essential technologies.

Children's privacy
STOP is not intended for children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate authorisation where required, we will delete it as soon as reasonably practicable.

Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will notify users through the app or by email where appropriate.

The latest version will always be available within the app.

Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

Email: STOPresearchenquiries@kcl.ac.uk

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to make a complaint to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).