Privacy Information Notice : Flight Data

1. Whilst the majority of the flight data that we handle is not personal data, the following notice sets out information relevant to those exceptional cases where we may process personal data as part of the flight data. The data controller is Pinkfroot Limited, of Stag Gates House, 63-64 The Avenue, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1XS,("we/us"). Pinkfroot is trading under the names "planefinder.net" and "shipfinder.co. We are committed to protecting the privacy and rights of individuals. For information relating to our use of personal data please contact [email protected]

2. The flight data that we process is collected from the public broadcast issued by each aircraft and suitably equipped non-flying assets such as ground vehicles. We capture, record and use data by reference to the aircraft registration number, ICAO 24-bit hex code and/or callsign. Whilst the majority of our data is not personal data; to the extent that our records include personal data, this is processed for our legitimate commercial interests in providing the Plane Finder apps and websites, and the commercialisation of the aggregated flight information data.

3. Flight data information is processed for the following purposes:

  • to populate the flight tracking app that allows individuals to monitor the flight path of a specific aircraft
  • enable individuals to locate and identify a specific aircraft when in flight;
  • individuals to identify a specific aircraft where an in-flight photograph was taken
  • aggregated flight data is made available to our commercial customers for a range of data analysis purposes including but not limited to insurance, airspace utilisation management; performance; environmental monitoring (noise and/or air pollution) safe operation of drones, traffic information service – broadcast, private pilot training

For details of our processing about information that owners provide to us directly please see our primary privacy information notice https://planefinder.net/legal/privacy-policy.

4. Where flight data is also personal data, Pinkfroot is processing the following categories of personal data as it relates to the specific aircraft and specific flight:

  • Location and time by reference to the ICAO 24-bit hex code, registration number and/or callsign
  • Location whilst in flight including GPS coordinates, altitude, speed and heading
  • Where an owner provides details of their aircraft registration number, we may record this communication.

5. Data on individual flights, by reference to the aircraft registration number, ICAO 24-bit hex code or callsign is available in real-time and historical data is available on the apps and website. Aggregated data is provided to our third party customers for data analysis.

6. The Plane Finder apps and websites are available to users across the world and to monitor flight activity in a number of geographical regions. Aggregated flight data is provided to our commercial customers who operate in a number of jurisdictions.

7. Flight data information is captured and stored indefinitely.

8. In relation to the personal data that we are processing, data subjects have the following rights:

  • The right to ask to see the personal information that we hold.
  • The right to ask us to correct personal information where you believe it is incorrect or incomplete
  • In some cases, there is a right to ask for personal data to be erased. Where this right does not apply, we will explain the reasons for our continued processing of this data;
  • In some cases, there is a right to request that we stop processing personal data.

We are not processing flight data information on the basis of consent, nor do we use this flight data information for marketing purposes. To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

9. If an individual is not happy with the way that information is used, we would invite them to contact us to inform us of their concerns. If an individual wishes to complain about how a request to exercise their right has been handled, please contact us at [email protected]. Individuals are also able to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, which regulates data-protection law. Details of how to complain to the ICO can be found on the website at www.ico.org.uk/concerns.



Updated: March 2020.