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  PRIVACY POLICY FOR DATASCENES DEVELOPMENT ALEXA SKILLS, LEX SKILL, FACEBOOK MESSENGER APPS, etc

This privacy policy governs your use of the software skills for Amazon Alexa and other similar platforms created by DataScenes Development (Skills). Current Skills are listed after the policy details, but new Skills will be added from time to time:

User Provided Information

The Skills obtain the information you provide when you download and register the Skills through the Amazon Alexa skills web site, Facebook Messenger, or any other licenced source. Registration with DataScenes Development is not required at this time, although future enhancements may possibly require registration. In this latter case, please keep in mind that you may not be able to use some of the features offered by the Skills unless you register with us. Credit card information is not collected by any of these Skills at this time. Any information that you share with the online app store during purchase is held by that store and covered by its own privacy policy.

We will not normally use any information you provide to us to contact you. Important information concerning required notices, upgrade and/or bug-fix notifications, or marketing promotions will normally be distributed by means of the Amazon Alexa skills site.

Currently the Skills do not collect login information from and/or for social networking platforms. Any future enhancements which deliver this capability will be notified at the time of delivery or upgrade, and you may consent or opt-out at will.

Automatically Collected Information

In addition, the Skills may collect certain information automatically as part of normal operation within the context of the Amazon Alexa or Facebook Messenger environment, including, but not limited to, your hardware device unique ID, a unique user ID, your prior usage of the Skills, and information about the way you use the Skills.

These Skills do not collect precise information about the location of your hardware device, though for details of information capture by the underlying platform each relevant terms and conditions agreement should be referenced.

Only aggregated, anonymized data is periodically transmitted to Amazon's software environment and services to help us improve the Skills and our service. We will share your information with third parties only in the ways that are described in this privacy statement.

We may disclose User Provided and Automatically Collected Information:

  • As required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena, or similar legal process;
  • When we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request;
  • With our trusted services providers who work on our behalf, do not have an independent use of the information we disclose to them, and have agreed to adhere to the rules set forth in this privacy statement.
  • If DataScenes Development is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of its assets, you will be notified via email and/or a prominent notice on our Web site of any change in ownership or uses of this information, as well as any choices you may have regarding this information.
Automatic Data Collection and Advertising

We may work with analytics companies to help us understand how the Skills are being used, such as the frequency and duration of usage. To protect the anonymity of this information, we use an encryption technology to help ensure that these third parties can’t identify you personally.

What are my opt-out rights?

You can stop all collection of information by the Skills easily by disabling the Skills on your Amazon Alexa account, or the equivalent action in Facebook Messenger. You may use the standard uninstall processes as may be available as part of your device, Amazon account, or Facebook account.

Specific Skills or upgraded versions of Skills may have specific opt-out mechanisms. Please contact apps@datascenesdev.com to enquire about this.

Data Retention Policy, Managing Your Information

We will retain User Provided data for as long as you use the Skills and for a reasonable time thereafter. We will retain Automatically Collected information for up to 24 months and thereafter may store it in aggregate. If you’d like us to delete User Provided Data that you have provided via the Skills, please contact us at apps@datascenesdev.com and we will respond in a reasonable time. Please note that some or all of the User Provided Data may be required in order for the Skills to function properly.

Children

We do not use the Skills to knowingly solicit data from or market to children under the age of 13. We recommend that if a child is using any of these Skills, this is only done with adult supervision. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that his or her child has provided us with information without their consent, he or she should contact us at apps@datascenesdev.com. We will delete such information from our files within a reasonable time.

Security

We are concerned about safeguarding the confidentiality of your information. We provide physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect information we process and maintain. For example, we limit access to this information to authorized employees and contractors who need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our Skills. Please be aware that, although we endeavor to provide reasonable security for information we process and maintain, no security system can prevent all potential security breaches.

Changes

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time for any reason. We will notify you of any changes to our Privacy Policy by posting the new Privacy Policy here and informing you via email, if such email has been volunteered by You at any time. You are advised to consult this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes, as continued use is deemed approval of all changes. You can check the history of this policy below.

Your Consent

By using the Skills, you are consenting to our processing of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy now and as amended by us. "Processing," means using information collected by the Skills or by the computer network faclities provided by Amazon in any way, including, but not limited to, collecting, storing, deleting, using, combining and disclosing information, all of which activities will take place in the United Kingdom or Ireland. If you reside outside the United Kingdom or Ireland your information will be transferred, processed and stored there under United Kingdom or Ireland privacy standards.

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding privacy while using the Skills, or have questions about our practices, please contact us via email at apps@datascenesdev.com.

Change History
  • Initial version: February 25th 2017
  • Update including mention of Lex and Facebook Messenger: May 7th 2017
Polly Reads
This skill combines Alexa audio with visual images to present a series of short extracts from Richard Abbott's novels. The readings have been produced with the help of Polly, Alexa's big sister, capable of multiple voices and accents. Other readings will be added from time to time. This skill has been optimised for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079Y8XKN4
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079Y8XKN4
Half Sick of Shadows
A skill for finding out about the fantasy novella Half Sick of Shadows. Users can ask about the book, listen to some short extracts, and add the book to their Alexa shopping list.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XT7ZRP9/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XT7ZRP9/
Spaceports the Novel
A skill for finding out about the science fiction novel Far from the Spaceports. Users can ask about the book, listen to some short extracts, and add the book to their Alexa shopping list.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y3CKJ6T/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y3CKJ6T/
Timing the Novel
A skill for finding out about the science fiction novel Timing, Far from the Spaceports Vol 2. Users can ask about the book, listen to some short extracts, and add the book to their Alexa shopping list.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y3QH1QX/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y3QH1QX/
Hill Country the novel
A skill for finding out about the historical fiction novel In a Milk and Honeyed Land. Users can ask about the book, listen to some short extracts, and add the book to their Alexa shopping list.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0719WX1LV/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0719WX1LV/
Scenes the Novel
A skill for finding out about the historical fiction novel Scenes from a Life. Users will be able to ask about the book, listen to some short extracts, and add the book to their Alexa shopping list.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072T3FKZD/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072T3FKZD/
The Flame Before Us
A skill for finding out about the historical fiction novel The Flame Before Us. Users can ask about the book, listen to some short extracts, and add the book to their Alexa shopping list.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072T3M8LS
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072T3M8LS
Martian Weather
A skill which reports on recent weather conditions from Elysium Planitia, Mars, thanks to a public data feed from NASA. This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PRVP93M
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PRVP93M
Lake View
A skill for finding out about Lake View Country House, a luxury bed and breakfast with private access to Grasmere lake. Users can ask about the rooms, future availabilty, and the local area. This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XGQ5HP7/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGQ5HP7/
Grasmere Brewery
A skill which describes Grasmere Brewery - where we are, and the range of beers we make, together with a selection of fun and interesting facts. We don't sell our beers through Alexa, but you can find out how to buy them here.. This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L8WK3Y9/
US listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L8WK3Y9/
Cumbria Weather
A skill which gives you a weather forecast for Cumbria, England's Lake District, including cloud cover and height. This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H3TKW6L/
US listing: Not yet available
Grasmere Days
A skill for planning day trips in and around Grasmere, Cumbria, England’s Lake District. Activities include eating and shopping as well as walks of different lengths.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073YC737C/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YC737C/
Cumbria Events
A skill for finding out about upcoming events in Cumbria, England’s Lake District, by accessing the visitcumbria.com web site. Typically the available information covers the next few weeks and is updated at least daily.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XBDT66R/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBDT66R/
Wordsworth Events
A skill for finding out about upcoming events celebrating the life and work of William Wordsworth, mostly in or near Grasmere and Rydal, Cumbria, England’s Lake District, by accessing the wordsworth.org.uk web site. Typically the available information covers the next few months and is updated regularly. This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0743FGP2N/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743FGP2N/
Wordsworth Facts
A skill for learning some interesting facts about the life and time of William Wordsworth. Also, you can listen to short sections of some of his poems. This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0786RHB8R/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0786RHB8R/
Jung North West
A skill describing a series of experiential training courses in England's Lake District. Here, experienced Jungian analysts and trainers present core teaching sessions, which are then digested and personalised by reflective groups, social dreaming, and a group walk in the inspiring countryside near Grasmere, Cumbria, This skill includes support for use on Echo Show or Spot devices with a screen, as well as the regular Echo or Dot.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F1R39CP/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F1R39CP/
Blog Reader
A skill for accessing the titles and first few sentences of blog articles on a number of partner blog sites. The content is automatically updated as new articles are posted.
UK listing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XDSGVLW/
US listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XDSGVLW/
True North (in preparation)
A skill to promote the literary activities of the members of the True North Writers and Publishers Cooperative. Users can hear about the cooperative members and their books.
 
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