Privacy Policy for Smart Yambol

Last updated: April 7, 2026

1. Introduction

Smart Yambol ("we", "our", or "us") is operated by the Municipality of Yambol, Bulgaria. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Smart Yambol mobile application ("App") available on Android devices via Google Play.

Please read this policy carefully. By using the App, you agree to the practices described herein. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the App.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Registration: When you create an account, we collect your email address and password. Your password is stored in encrypted form and is never shared.
Problem Reports: When you submit a city issue report, we collect your phone number, address, a description of the problem, and any photos you choose to attach.
Tax Payments: When paying municipal taxes, we process your Citizen Identification Number (EGN) or electronic signature credentials. Payment processing is handled through secure municipal systems.
Wedding Service Inquiries: If you use the wedding booking feature, any information you provide is processed through the official municipal web portal.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Device Information: We collect basic device identifiers, operating system version, and app version to ensure proper functionality and for troubleshooting purposes.
Usage Data: We may collect anonymized data on which features of the App are used, to improve the user experience.
Push Notification Token: We collect a Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) token to deliver push notifications about news, events, and city repairs.

2.3 Location Data

Interactive Map & Parking: The App uses your device's GPS location to display your position on the city map, show nearby points of interest, and help you find parking. Location access is requested only when you actively use map-related features.
Problem Reporting: Your location may be used to automatically fill in the address field when submitting a city issue report.

We do not track your location in the background or when the App is closed.

2.4 Camera and Media Access

Problem Reporting: The App requests access to your camera and photo gallery solely for the purpose of attaching photos to city issue reports. We do not access your media for any other reason.

3. How We Use Your Information

Create and manage your user account
Authenticate your identity and maintain session security
Deliver push notifications about news, city events, and repairs (based on your preferences)
Process and forward city issue reports to the relevant municipal departments
Enable tax payment features and communicate with municipal payment systems
Display personalized map data and points of interest
Save your language preference, theme setting, and notification preferences locally on your device
Improve and optimize the App's performance and features
Comply with legal obligations under Bulgarian and EU law

4. Data Storage and Retention

Account Data: Stored securely on municipal servers in Bulgaria.
Local Preferences: Language, dark mode, and notification settings are stored locally on your device and are not transmitted to our servers.
Favorites: Your saved favorite locations are stored locally on your device.
Problem Reports: Retained by the Municipality of Yambol for as long as necessary to process and resolve the reported issue, in accordance with municipal record-keeping obligations.
Account Data: Retained for as long as your account is active. You may request deletion at any time (see Section 8).

5. Sharing of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your data only in the following limited circumstances:

Municipal Departments: Issue reports, tax payments, and wedding inquiries are forwarded to the relevant department of the Municipality of Yambol for processing.
Google Firebase: Used for push notifications (FCM). Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
Google Maps: Used for all map and location features. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
Municipal Payment Systems: For processing tax payments securely.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by Bulgarian law, court order, or governmental authority.

6. Third-Party Services

Service	Purpose	Privacy Policy
Google Firebase	Push notifications	policies.google.com/privacy
Google Maps	Maps and location	policies.google.com/privacy
Municipal Payment Portal	Tax payments	Subject to municipal policy

7. Data Security

Encrypted password storage
HTTPS/TLS for all data transmission between the App and our servers
JWT token-based authentication with automatic session expiration
Secure email verification for new accounts

No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights (GDPR)

Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
Right to Restriction: Request that we limit how we process your data.
Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Right to Object: Object to the processing of your data for certain purposes.
Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email address provided in Section 10.

9. Children's Privacy

The App is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete it.

10. Contact Us

Municipality of Yambol
Yambol, Bulgaria
Email: smartyambol@yambol.bg
Website: yambol.bg

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, through an in-app notification. Your continued use of the App after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.