Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 8, 2026

WhereYat ("we," "our," or "us") is operated by MacWitt Ventures. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, retain, and protect your information when you use the WhereYat mobile application ("App").

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Display Name: An optional name you choose during setup. It is stored on your device and synced to our servers solely to identify you to people with whom you share your location. You are not required to use your real name.

Information Collected Automatically

Anonymous User Identifier: When you first open the App, we assign you a randomly generated identifier using Firebase Anonymous Authentication. This identifier is not linked to your name, email address, or phone number.
Device Information: We collect your device platform (iOS or Android), app version number, and the timestamp of each app launch.
Precise Location: When you start a location-sharing session, we collect your GPS coordinates (latitude, longitude, and accuracy). Location is polled frequently while your device is moving and less frequently when it is stationary; updates are only transmitted to our servers when your device has moved a meaningful distance since the last update. Location is collected while the App is in the foreground and, where permitted by your device settings, in the background.
Push Notification Token: If you grant notification permission, we collect a device token provided by Firebase Cloud Messaging to deliver session-related notifications.
Crash Diagnostics: If the App crashes or encounters an error, we collect a diagnostic report containing the error details, your device model, operating system version, and app version, associated with your anonymous identifier. Crash reports do not contain your location, your display name, or information about who you share with.

Information That Stays on Your Device

Some features work entirely on your device and send nothing to our servers:

Movement trails: While a map is open, the App draws each participant's recent movement as a trail. Trails are assembled on your device from locations already shared with you, are never uploaded or stored, and are discarded when you close the map.
Arrival alerts: Notifications telling you that someone has come close to you are generated on your device by comparing locations already shared with you. No additional data is collected or transmitted to produce them.
Your preferences: Display name, distance units, default share duration, and alert settings are stored on your device.

Information About Your Contacts

When you share your location with someone, we store the Display Name of that person (the name or nickname of their choosing) along with their anonymous user identifier. Up to 50 such contacts are stored on your device and in our database for your convenience.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Deliver the App's core location-sharing features
Identify you to people you choose to share your location with
Send push notifications related to your active sharing sessions
Monitor platform and version distribution for compatibility and maintenance purposes
Diagnose and fix crashes and errors in the App

We do not use your information for advertising, behavioral profiling, or any purpose beyond operating the App.

3. How We Share Your Information

With people you choose: When you start a sharing session, your display name and real-time location are visible to your selected recipient(s) for the duration of that session.

With service providers: We use the following third-party services to operate the App:

Firebase (Google LLC): Provides authentication, real-time database storage, push notifications, and crash reporting (Firebase Crashlytics). Firebase may process your data on servers in the United States and other countries. Firebase Privacy Policy
Google Maps Platform (Android): Powers in-app map display on Android devices. Google Privacy Policy
Apple Maps (iOS): Powers in-app map display on iOS devices. Apple Privacy Policy

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your data with advertisers, data brokers, or analytics platforms.

4. Data Retention

Data	Retention Period
Location data	Duration of your sharing session; automatically deleted from our servers within 72 hours of session expiration
Sharing sessions	Expire per your selected duration (15 minutes to 4 hours); deleted within 72 hours of expiration
Your profile (identifier, display name, device info)	Retained until you delete your account
Contact labels	Retained on your device and our servers until you delete your account or remove them manually
Crash diagnostics	Retained by Firebase Crashlytics for up to 90 days
Movement trails	Never stored — discarded when you close the map

5. Your Rights and Choices

Location access: You may revoke location permission at any time in your device settings. Revoking this permission will prevent active sharing sessions from functioning.

Push notifications: You may disable notifications at any time in your device settings.

Account deletion: You may delete your account within the App at any time. Doing so permanently removes your profile, all sharing sessions you created, and your identifier from other users' contact lists. This action cannot be undone.

Data access: To request a copy of the data we hold about you, contact us at the address below.

6. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for users 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us with information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through the App or by updating the effective date above. Continued use of the App following notice of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

8. Contact

Questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data:

MacWitt Ventures
Email: info@macwittventures.com
Website: whereyat.app