Privacy Policy

Information you provide

- Account information: email address (if you sign up with email), and authentication identifiers for Apple/Google sign-in.

- Profile information: username/handle, display name, optional dog details (name, breed, age, gender, neutered/spayed), and optional status messages you share while walking.

- Content you upload: profile photo/avatar.

Information collected when you use the app

- Location data (core feature):

  - Precise location (when you grant permission) to show your position on the map and enable sharing while you are “Out Walking”.

  - Live/roaming location while you have roaming enabled, including recent coordinates and timestamps.

- Device and app data: device identifiers used for push notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging token), app version, and basic diagnostic logs/crash reports (if enabled).

- Usage data: basic events necessary to operate the Service (e.g., starting/stopping a walk, accepting a friend request).

Information from third parties

- Apple / Google: if you sign in using those providers, we receive a secure identifier and may receive your email depending on your provider settings.

- Firebase (Google): provides authentication, database, storage, and push notification delivery infrastructure.

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HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use your information to:

- Create and manage your account and authenticate you.

- Provide core features: profile creation, friends, map display, and live walking sessions.

- Enable location sharing with your chosen visibility settings (e.g., friends while walking).

- Send notifications you request or expect (e.g., when a friend starts walking, “I’m coming to you”).

- Maintain safety, integrity, and security of the Service (prevent abuse, enforce rules, protect accounts).

- Debug and improve reliability (e.g., crash reports, performance diagnostics).

HOW LOCATION SHARING WORKS

- PawMap only shares your location when you enable roaming (“I’m Out Walking”) and you have granted the required permissions.

- You can stop sharing anytime by stopping roaming.

- By default, location sharing is intended to be friends-only (depending on the features enabled in your version of the app).

- Your location may be used to compute distances (e.g., how far you are from a friend) and to show friend markers on the map.

HOW WE SHARE INFORMATION

We do not sell your personal information.

We share information in these cases:

- With your friends: your profile details and live walking status/location when you are sharing and when the friend relationship exists.

- With service providers: we use Firebase services (Authentication, Firestore, Storage, Cloud Functions, Messaging) to run the app.

- For legal/safety reasons: if required by law, or to protect users, prevent fraud/abuse, or enforce our terms.

DATA RETENTION

- Live walking data is designed to be short-lived and used to power the map experience.

- Some location-related records may be retained for a limited period for reliability and abuse prevention.

- We aim to delete or anonymize location history according to our retention policy as the product matures.

YOUR CHOICES AND CONTROLS

You can:

- Control permissions (Location, Notifications) in iOS Settings at any time.

- Stop location sharing by turning off roaming.

- Edit your profile information.

- Delete your account from within the app (Settings → Delete Account). This removes your profile and associated data from our systems, subject to limited legal and security retention needs.

SECURITY

We use reasonable safeguards designed to protect your information (including access controls and security rules). No system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

PawMap is not intended for children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS

Our service providers may process data in countries other than your own. We take steps to protect your information when it is processed internationally.

CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide notice in the app or by other appropriate means. The “Last updated” date will reflect the latest version.

CONTACT

Questions or requests: help@paw-map.com