Together, in South Africa we can help fight COVID-19 while we sleep
Join smartphone users across the world and help fight coronavirus while you sleep
Introducing DreamLab - an award-winning app from Vodafone Foundation that enables thousands of people to help speed up vital health research while they sleep. DreamLab was developed in 2015 to support cancer research projects, and has already supported four world-first discoveries in cancer research, including anti-cancer properties in existing foods and drugs.
Now that collective processing power is also being used to help combat the coronavirus (COVID-19).
We have now completed the first phase of our Corona-AI research. Find out more on what foods help us fight coronavirus here.
Download DreamLab today. #FightCOVID19inYourSleep. #StayConnected
Charge
Download the DreamLab app, choose a project to support, and each time your phone is plugged in, charged, and connected to the internet, you’ll be helping speed up vital scientific research. (iOS users will need to press Power DreamLab).
Sleep
Charge your phone overnight and, while you sleep, DreamLab taps into its unused processing power to support vital health research.
Fight coronavirus
Alongside thousands of other DreamLab users, you’ll be using your phone to power a virtual supercomputer, capable of processing billions of calculations – and helping research into better ways to fight coronavirus.
How DreamLab is helping speed up vital health research…
Every time you use the DreamLab app, you’ll be supporting vital scientific health studies. The Corona-AI research project involves analysing billions of combinations of existing drugs and food molecules to identify how they can be adjusted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment for coronavirus. Learn more about the Corona-AI research project here.
The app has already supported four world-first discoveries in cancer research.
And the mobile data is on us …
If you’re a Vodafone customer, and using your phone while connected to our mobile network, we won’t charge you for the data to power DreamLab. The app can also be used across other networks, with users choosing how much data they wish to donate, or connecting via Wi-Fi. None of your personal data will be downloaded or processed from your device.
So you can sleep easy, knowing you’re helping to fight coronavirus, and it won’t cost you a thing. See our FAQs and Terms and Conditions for full details.
Frequently asked questions:
Android users
How does it work?
Your smartphone is a small but powerful computer. When it's idle – like when you're asleep at night – that power goes untapped. DreamLab puts that power to good use to fast-track cancer research. When you power DreamLab, your phone will receive tiny problems to process and solve, and send the results back to the research team.
How do I know if I’m making a difference?
By powering DreamLab, you’re helping to crunch calculations, to help complete cancer research projects, faster. Already our users have doubled the pace of research. You can find out more about the research and how you’re making a difference in the Newsfeed section of the app, and we’ll also continue to make improvements to DreamLab to help you better understand the contribution you’re making.
How do I start using DreamLab?
DreamLab will automatically start when your phone is plugged in and is at least 80% charged. You can also choose to press ‘Power DreamLab’ at any time.
Why does my phone have to be on charge to use DreamLab?
Most of our users are concerned about battery life, which is why DreamLab has been designed to use when your phone is plugged in to charge.
How do I stop using DreamLab?
To stop using DreamLab, simply unplug your phone or press ‘End Session’ on the DreamLab app. To stop using DreamLab permanently, uninstall the app.
Will it access private information on my phone?
The app requests access to photos and media folders in order to store tiny research problems while they’re being processed and solved by your phone. However, DreamLab will only access the files it’s created in the file directories and won’t access any of your private information or photos. You can read the DreamLab privacy policy in the app settings.
Will it drain my battery?
DreamLab will work automatically when your phone is plugged in and has at least 80% charge. If you choose to use DreamLab when your phone isn’t on charge, then, like any application, it will utilise battery power.
Can I use DreamLab if I live overseas?
Yes you can use the app from anywhere in the world.
Will DreamLab use data from my mobile plan, or WiFi?
DreamLab needs data to download the tiny research problems from the cloud, and send the results back.
If your phone detects that WiFi is available, then DreamLab will work over WiFi. DreamLab is automatically set to use unlimited WiFi is but you can change this any time in the App Settings.
If WiFi is not available, then DreamLab will work over your mobile network. It will continue using data until it reaches the mothly data contribution limit you have chosen (50MB, 250MB, 500MB or 1GB). If you don’t want DreamLab to use any mobile data, you can set mobile data to 0MB in the App Settings.
Vodacom South Africa customers will not be charged for mobile data used by DreamLab while connected to the Vodacom network in South Africa. Roaming incurs international rates. If you’re also contributing over WiFi, any data used will come out of your WiFi plan.
If you aren’t a Vodacom customer, you’ll be charged as per your mobile or WiFi plan for the data you contribute.
Please note: DreamLab works on a calendar month, which might not be in sync with your billing cycle. You can see when your DreamLab monthly cycle will restart in the app settings. DreamLab will pause when you reach the monthly data limit that you’ve chosen. At this point, you’ll be given the choice to increase your data contribution. If you do nothing, DreamLab will simply resume again the next calendar month.
Roaming on a mobile network incurs international rates – including for Vodacom South Africa customers.
How do I only use DreamLab over WiFi?
Go to the App Settings, and turn mobile data off.
How much data will DreamLab use?
It’s up to you. On your mobile network, you can choose to give up to 50MB, 250MB or 500MB a month. For Wi-Fi, you can choose to give up to 500MB, 1GB or unlimited data each month. You can change how much data you contribute at any time in the DreamLab app settings.
As a guide, 50MB is about the same as uploading 25 photos to social media a month. 500MB is approximately equivalent to streaming a video for 1.5 hours a month. 1GB is similar to streaming a video for 3 hours a month. You can see how much data DreamLab has used and when your month restarts in the app settings.
As a guide, 50MB is about the same as uploading 25 photos to social media a month. 500MB is approximately equivalent to streaming a video for 1.5 hours a month. 1GB is similar to streaming a video for 3 hours a month. You can see how much data DreamLab has used and when your month restarts in the app settings.
Why can’t I give more data on my mobile plan?
At the moment, DreamLab users can give up to 1GB a month on their mobile network. Our users have told us this is the upper limit that they’re most comfortable with, but we’ll continue to monitor this.
What happens when DreamLab reaches the monthly data contribution limit I’ve set?
When you reach the data limit you’ve set, DreamLab will give you the option to increase your data limit. If you do nothing, and DreamLab will automatically start again the next month.
I’m travelling overseas. What should I do with DreamLab?
Using DreamLab when roaming will incur international rates. In the app Settings DreamLab is set to default OFF when roaming on a mobile network, which means if you are roaming, DreamLab won’t use your mobile data. Please note, if you have WiFi set to ON in the app Settings, DreamLab will continue to work on WiFi when overseas. To prevent this, you can turn WiFi OFF in the App Settings.
iOS users
How does it work?
Your smartphone is a small but powerful computer. When it's idle – like when you're asleep at night – that power goes untapped. DreamLab puts that power to good use to fast-track cancer research. When you power DreamLab, your phone will receive tiny problems to process and solve, and send the results back to the research team.
How do I know if I’m making a difference?
By powering DreamLab, you’re helping to crunch calculations, to help complete cancer research projects, faster. Already our users have doubled the pace of research. You can find out more about the research and how you’re making a difference in the Newsfeed section of the app, and we’ll also continue to make improvements to DreamLab to help you better understand the contribution you’re making.
How do I start using DreamLab?
To start DreamLab, press ‘Power DreamLab’ within the app, and place your phone down without pressing the lock or home button. If you press home, open another application, or use your phone, DreamLab will stop. You can start it again by pressing ‘Power DreamLab’. If you have auto lock set up on your phone, it will not be activated while using DreamLab.
DreamLab isn’t able to work in the background on iOS, so we recommend you set a reminder to power DreamLab each night.
Disconnect your phone from charge, or press ‘End Session’. It will also stop if you press home, open another application or use your phone. To stop using DreamLab permanently just uninstall the app.
DreamLab isn’t able to work in the background on iOS, so we recommend you set a reminder to power DreamLab each night.
Why does my phone have to be on charge to use DreamLab?
Most of our users are concerned about battery life, which is why DreamLab has been designed to use when your phone is plugged in to charge.
Can I set DreamLab to start automatically?
For best results, iPhone users are recommended to press ‘Power DreamLab’. We recommend you set a reminder, so that you don’t forget to power DreamLab each night. iOS may allow calculations to occur in the background from time to time, but to crunch the most research, we recommend you press ‘Power DreamLab.’
How do I stop using DreamLab?
Disconnect your phone from charge, or press ‘End Session’. It will also stop if you press home, open another application or use your phone. To stop using DreamLab permanently just uninstall the app.
Will it access private information on my phone?
DreamLab does not access any of your private information. DreamLab uses the processing power of your smart phone to solve research problems and allows you to remain anonymous while doing so.
You can read the DreamLab privacy policy in the app settings.
You can read the DreamLab privacy policy in the app settings.
Will it drain my battery?
Like any application, DreamLab will utilise battery power. DreamLab will only work when your device is charging, so your battery will not be drained
Will it heat up my phone?
DreamLab has been designed to only draw a small amount of power from your phone. DreamLab will only operate if your phone is at an optimal temperature. If this temperature is exceeded, DreamLab will pause.
Can I use DreamLab if I live overseas?
Yes you can use the app from anywhere in the world.
Will DreamLab use data from my mobile plan, or WiFi?
DreamLab needs data to download the tiny research problems from the cloud, and send the results back.
If your phone detects that WiFi is available, then DreamLab will work over WiFi. DreamLab is automatically set to use unlimited WiFi is but you can change this any time in the App Settings.
If WiFi is not available, then DreamLab will work over your mobile network. It will continue using data until it reaches the mothly data contribution limit you have chosen (50MB, 250MB, 500MB or 1GB). If you don’t want DreamLab to use any mobile data, you can set mobile data to 0MB in the App Settings.
Vodacom South Africa customers will not be charged for mobile data used by DreamLab while connected to the Vodacom network in South Africa. Roaming incurs international rates. If you’re also contributing over WiFi, any data used will come out of your WiFi plan.
If you aren’t a Vodacom customer, you’ll be charged as per your mobile or WiFi plan for the data you contribute.
Please note: DreamLab works on a calendar month, which might not be in sync with your billing cycle. You can see when your DreamLab monthly cycle will restart in the app settings. DreamLab will pause when you reach the monthly data limit that you’ve chosen. At this point, you’ll be given the choice to increase your data contribution. If you do nothing, DreamLab will simply resume again the next calendar month.
Roaming on a mobile network incurs international rates – including for Vodacom South Africa customers.
How do I only use DreamLab over WiFi?
Go to the App Settings, and turn mobile data off.
How much data will DreamLab use?
It’s up to you. On your mobile network, you can choose to give up to 50MB, 250MB or 500MB a month. For Wi-Fi, you can choose to give up to 500MB, 1GB or unlimited data each month. You can change how much data you contribute at any time in the DreamLab app settings.
As a guide, 50MB is about the same as uploading 25 photos to social media a month. 500MB is approximately equivalent to streaming a video for 1.5 hours a month. 1GB is similar to streaming a video for 3 hours a month. You can see how much data DreamLab has used and when your month restarts in the app settings.
As a guide, 50MB is about the same as uploading 25 photos to social media a month. 500MB is approximately equivalent to streaming a video for 1.5 hours a month. 1GB is similar to streaming a video for 3 hours a month. You can see how much data DreamLab has used and when your month restarts in the app settings.
Why can’t I give more data on my mobile plan?
At the moment, DreamLab users can give up to 1GB a month on their mobile network. Our users have told us this is the upper limit that they’re most comfortable with, but we’ll continue to monitor this.
What happens when DreamLab reaches the monthly data contribution limit I’ve set?
When you reach the data limit you’ve set, DreamLab will give you the option to increase your data limit. If you do nothing, and DreamLab will automatically start again the next month.
I’m travelling overseas. What should I do with DreamLab?
Using DreamLab when roaming will incur international rates. To avoid roaming charges, set DreamLab mobile data to 0MB per month in the App Settings.
How does DreamLab help fast-track cancer research?
One thing slowing cancer research is the limited access researchers have to supercomputers to crunch their complex data. DreamLab gives researchers access to a dedicated virtual supercomputer to accelerate research into cancers including breast, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, lung, brain, sarcoma and melanoma. To find out about the projects that DreamLab currently supports, visit the Project Tab in the app.
Who are DreamLab’s research partners?
Read more about our local research partners in the Projects section of the app.
Privacy terms
This statement explains how Vodacom processes your data for the Dream Lab application, which you can access and download via any app store.
Last updated: 10 October 2020
What is Dream Lab
The DreamLab Smartphone Application (DreamLab Application) is provided to you by Vodacom (Pty) Ltd (Vodacom).
This Privacy Notice, explains the information that is collected by DreamLab and how it will be used. For further information please contact Local Market DreamLab email address DreamLabSouthAfrica@vodafone.com or askprivacy@vodacom.co.za.
How to contact us
Your opinion matters to us – if you have any questions about our privacy policy, you can email us at: Askprivacy@vodacom.co.za or you can write to our privacy team at:
The Privacy Office – Legal Affairs
Vodacom (Pty) Ltd
Corporate Park
082 Vodacom Boulevard
Midrand
1685
Personal information we collect about you
Information we collect about you
In order to enable users to make use of the application features and provide the service through the application, DreamLab Application assigns or collects the below information about users:
- Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) – a unique device identifier assigned when using the DreamLab Application;
- Country of install (SIM) – so that DreamLab Application can determine region for localised content (Android only; User selected device region (the region locale that he user selected when setting up their device) – so that DreamLab Application can determine region for localised content. This data may also be used when displaying your activity as part of our leadership board functionality;
- Identifier token (random string of numbers) is assigned to a user, if they choose to login to the DreamLab Application via their Apple or Google account. You can choose to unlink your DreamLab account with these providers via their settings. For more information on how these providers process your personal information we recommend that you review their privacy policies;
- Your social media first and last name if you have chosen to link DreamLab to your Apple or Google accounts;
- Your app activity when you choose to log in via your Apple or Google account. This data may be displayed as part of our leadership board functionality. If you do not wish to participate in the leadership board functionality then you can choose to use the app anonymously by not linking your Apple or Google account;
- On Android devices (only) the app requests access to photos, media, files permission in order to temporarily store the tiny research problems whilst they are being processed and solved by the phone. DreamLab Application will only access the files it has created in the files directories. DreamLab Application does not need access to any of your personal information or photos to be able to solve tiny research problems.
Personal information we collect about you
We collect your personal information when:
- You download the application;
- If you choose to link your Apple or Google account with your Dream Lab application.
Vodacom will process your personal information based on:
- A performance of a contract – to provide you with the service you have asked for;
- Vodacom’s legitimate business interests – when it comes to developing and improving the app to gain insights through app analytics.
How we use your personal information
We may use your personal information for the following purposes:
- If you have chosen to link your Apple or Google account then we will display your first and last name for those services in our leaderboards, delinking your account from Apple or Google will stop that data from displaying on our leaderboards;
- We may use your activity information for analytics purposes but this will be done on an anonymous and aggregated basis. We may also access anonymous information via Google, Apple and Adobe Analytics about use of the DreamLab Application in order to improve and enhance the DreamLab experience. The data collected for this purpose is anonymous, aggregated and de-identified. Some examples include age, gender, operating system and time spent using the DreamLab Application. We access this information to understand how you and our community as a whole use our application.
How long we keep your personal information for
The personal information processed in connection with your leader board activity, if you have chosen to link your Apple or Google account, will be deleted as soon as you choose to delink your account.
Vodacom may retain aggregated and statistical reports about use of the DreamLab Application but these reports will not identify you as a user.
Keeping your personal information secure
In case you need more information on how Vodacom uses your personal information and/or maintains the security of your information, and your rights to access and/or delete the information Vodacom holds, please contact the Privacy Officer at Mpumi.simelane@vodacom.co.za.
Your rights
At Vodacom, we are committed to processing personal information honestly, ethically, with integrity, and always consistent with applicable laws and our values. Below we set out details on how you can exercise your rights. Please note, under certain circumstances these rights may be limited if we still have lawful grounds to process your personal information. If you have a question or cannot find the answer, please contact our Customer Care.
Right to correct personal information
You have the right to correct information held about you if it’s not accurate. The only personal information we will process will be if you decide to link your Apple or Google account with the app. In order to request a correction or updating your profile, you may contact our customer service team.
Right to access personal information
You have the right to make a request for a copy of the personal information that Vodacom holds about you. The only personal information we will hold is your leader board activity which you will be able to see within the app.
Right to object to use of personal information
You have the right, in certain circumstances, to object to Vodacom processing your personal information.
To opt out of analytics;
For Android users, you can opt out of providing this information via the DreamLab Application Settings.
For iOS users, you can opt out of providing this information via your device Settings.
To opt out of social media logins;
You can also choose to delink your Apple or Google account from the app via the settings for those providers.
To opt out of push notifications;
For iOS users, you can opt in to receive app service related communications (for example, to set yourself a reminder to use the application, or to be updated with research news and discoveries) if you ‘Allow Notifications’ when setting up the DreamLab Application. No personal information is collected by the application for this purpose. You may disable push-notifications via your device Settings (Notifications).
For Android users, you can opt out of app service related communications via the DreamLab Application Settings anytime.
Right to deletion
If you choose to no longer have your personal information that you have linked via your Apple or Google account to the DreamLab app then you can delink your account via the settings for those providers.
How to lodge a complaint
Should you believe that Vodacom has used your personal information contrary to applicable law, you undertake to first attempt to resolve any concerns with Vodacom directly. Kindly click our customer care team. We will do our best to help but if you are still unhappy, you can contact the Privacy Office at askprivacy@vodacom.co.za. If you are not satisfied with such process, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information
Regulator at:
The Information Regulator (South Africa)
33 Hoofd Street
Forum III, 3rd Floor Braampark
P.O Box 31533
Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017
Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
Complaints email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
Right to deletion
If you choose to no longer have your personal information that you have linked via your Apple or Google account to the DreamLab app then you can delink your account via the settings for those providers.
Terms and conditions
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