Privacy Policy

Tel Aviv University and Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) ("We" or "The Research Team") respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it. This policy describes:

• The types of information we may collect when you download, install, register with, access, or use the ‘Permed2’ mobile application, including the ‘BreastCare’ research study module (collectively, the "App").
• Our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information.

This policy applies to information we collect in this App and through connected wearable devices authorized by you (such as Garmin smartwatches). Please read this policy carefully. By downloading, registering with, or using this App, you agree to this privacy policy.

1. Persons Under the Age of 18

The App is not intended for persons under 18 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect information from persons under 18 without verification of parental consent. If we learn we have collected or received information from a person under 18 without verification of parental consent, we will delete that information.

2. Purpose of the App and the Research

You are invited to voluntarily participate in a clinical research study conducted collaboratively by Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (led by Prof. Yoav Barnea and Dr. Gon Shoham) and the Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University (led by Prof. Dan Yamin and Prof. Erez Shmueli). The purpose of this research is to develop a data-driven continuous monitoring system to evaluate the physiological and emotional readiness of breast cancer patients during treatment and recovery from reconstructive surgery. The goal is to identify early signs of complications (such as infection or inflammation) and high emotional distress, allowing for personalized medical care.

3. Information We Collect and How We Collect It

By using the App, you consent to participate in the research and authorize the collection of the following data:

• Information You Provide: Responses to daily digital questionnaires (including symptom reports, pain evaluation, and stress levels) and daily photographs of the surgical area that you upload through the App.
• Smartwatch and Wearable Sensors (e.g., Garmin): Upon your explicit authorization and connection of your compatible smartwatch, we continuously collect physiological metrics through third-party APIs (such as the Garmin Connect API). This includes heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), respiration rate, sleep metrics, nighttime body temperature, and physical activity.
• Automatically Collected Information: Usage details, device information (such as operating system and device model), and general app interaction logs. We may use cookies or similar tracking technologies to improve app performance and user experience.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected data strictly for research and clinical purposes:

• To build statistical and machine-learning models for detection of recovery for future patients (this study is only observational and the data is analyzed retrospectively).

Disclaimer: By using this App, you acknowledge that the App does not provide direct or indirect medical advice and does not replace professional medical treatment. In any case of concern or feeling unwell, you must immediately contact your treating medical team for advice and treatment.

5. Data Security, Anonymization, and Storage

We have implemented strict technical and organizational measures to secure your information:

• Anonymization: The research data collected from the App and your smartwatch is anonymized and does not contain direct personal identifiers.
• Storage: All data is stored on dedicated, highly secure servers managed by Tel Aviv University.
• Access: Access to these servers is strictly limited to authorized researchers only and is carefully secured.

6. Disclosure of Your Information and Liability

We do not sell your personal data. The data collected and the outcomes of the experiment may have value and can be used for future research, patents, or the development of medical products. You acknowledge that participants in the experiment have no rights regarding the products developed as a result of the experiment.

Furthermore, Tel Aviv University and the medical center shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damage, expense, or inconvenience caused to the user or a third party as a result of using or the inability to use the App.

7. Your Choices, Access, and Withdrawal

Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You may choose to withdraw at any time without providing a reason.

• App Deletion: You can uninstall the App from your device at any stage.
• Revoke Wearable Access: You can disconnect your smartwatch and revoke data access directly through the App or via your third-party account settings (e.g., Garmin Connect).
• Access and Data Removal: You may contact the research team to request to review, correct, or remove the information collected about you.

8. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We may update our privacy policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by an in-App alert or update this page accordingly.

9. Contact Information

For any questions regarding this privacy policy or to contact the research team, please refer to the "Contact Us" section within the App.