Privacy Policy

We collect the following categories of information:

• •Precise location data (GPS), including while the app runs in the background, to track the areas you've physically explored
• •Motion and speed data used to distinguish walking or running from driving or other vehicle travel
• •Account information, such as your email address, username, and profile details
• •Exploration data, such as your revealed map tiles, routes walked, session history, and discovered rewards
• •Device information, such as device model, operating system, and app version, for diagnostics

We use the information we collect to:

• •Clear the fog and permanently reveal the map as you physically move through an area
• •Filter out non-qualifying movement (like driving) using speed-based detection, so only walking and running count
• •Calculate your % of city explored and your rank on city and friend leaderboards
• •Generate your post-session recap animation of the areas you revealed
• •Place and unlock hidden rewards along real-world routes
• •Sync your progress across devices tied to your account
• •Maintain, secure, and improve the app

Location is core to how TraceMap works, so we want to be direct about it:

• •TraceMap requests background location access so the map can keep revealing while you walk or run with the app closed or your phone locked
• •Location and motion data are used to determine movement speed; travel that looks like driving or other vehicle use does not clear the fog
• •GPS accuracy varies with device, signal, and environment, so revealed areas and speed classification may occasionally be imprecise
• •You can disable location access at any time in your device settings, but the map will stop revealing and stats will stop updating until it's re-enabled

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with:

• •Service providers who help us operate TraceMap, such as mapping, cloud hosting, and analytics providers, under confidentiality obligations
• •Other users, limited to what you choose to make visible — such as your username, rank, and % explored on friends or city leaderboards
• •Authorities or third parties when required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of TraceMap or its users
• •A successor entity in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We retain your account and exploration data for as long as your account is active, since it represents the map you've permanently unlocked. If you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable period, except where we're required to retain it for legal or security purposes.

We use industry-standard safeguards — including encryption in transit and access controls — to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security.

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• •Access or export a copy of your personal data
• •Correct inaccurate account information
• •Delete your account and associated data
• •Revoke location permissions, which will pause map reveal and stat tracking
• •Opt out of appearing on public or city-wide leaderboards

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below.

TraceMap is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we'll notify you through the app or by updating the effective date above.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us at tordukaya@icloud.com.