Trapper is, of course, storing the data you put into it. The records are uploaded into secure ‘cloud’ storage, in fact the same Microsoft Cloud platform used by 57% of ‘Fortune 500’ companies. They are accessible only by the trap operator and by GWCT. Data are transferred to and from storage under a secure HTTPS protocol (such as you would expect from a bank or PayPal), which means that the information is transmitted in an encrypted form and therefore cannot be read even if intercepted. Access to the data is also strongly password-protected. (You will, of course, need to be careful not to reveal your own password to others.)
At present, Trapper is being trialled only in a study of corvid trapping in Scotland, where the whole purpose is for the GWCT to acquire these trap data for analysis. In this trial phase, there is not yet a formal set of Terms and Conditions. The GWCT is very conscious both of the concerns of individual recorders and of its legal obligations under the Data Protection Act. We undertake that your data will remain confidential and will be used only for the purpose stated. If you are still concerned about the storage of your trap data and personal contact details, please see our FAQs.
You are welcome to use Trapper to record other types of trap or snare, and to continue to use it after the corvid trap study is finished. The GWCT will not use those other data without first seeking your permission. We are keen to learn how useful you find Trapper, and to improve it through your feedback. Please feel free to contact us to tell us what you think, report any problems or suggest changes you would like to see. At a later date we will introduce Terms and Conditions for continued use. These are likely to include the condition that by using the app you agree to the GWCT having access to your data for specific trap-related research.