Trek N Explore ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application ("App") available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the App.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
- Phone Number: We collect your phone number for account creation and authentication via one-time password (OTP) verification through Firebase Authentication.
- Profile Information: Your display name and username, which you provide during registration.
- User-Generated Content: Messages you send in public chat, private messages, group chats, and adventure pool discussions. Posts, photos, and content you share on the feed.
- Contact and Support Information: Any information you provide when contacting us for support.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Precise Location Data: We collect your device's precise GPS location to power core features including the Nearby Radar, Public Chat (150 km radius), SOS Emergency Alerts, and location sharing. Location is collected in the foreground and, if you enable background tracking, in the background.
- Device Information: Device type (iOS/Android), operating system version, and unique device identifiers for push notification delivery.
- FCM Token: Firebase Cloud Messaging token for delivering push notifications to your device.
- Usage Data: App interaction patterns, feature usage, and error logs to improve the App experience.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
- Authentication: To verify your identity and secure your account through phone number verification.
- Core Functionality: To power the Nearby Radar, Public Chat, Private Messaging, SOS Alerts, Adventure Pools, and other features that rely on your location and profile.
- Notifications: To send you push notifications about new messages, SOS alerts, pool join requests, and other activity relevant to you.
- Safety: To enable the SOS Emergency Alert system, which shares your location with nearby users when you trigger an alert.
- Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve the App's performance, features, and user experience.
- Communication: To respond to your support inquiries and send important updates about the App.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
- With Other Users: Your display name, username, and approximate location are visible to other users on the Nearby Radar and in Public Chat. Your precise location is shared with nearby users when you trigger an SOS alert. Messages you send in public chat are visible to all users within the 150 km radius.
- Service Providers: We use the following third-party services to operate the App:
- Firebase (Google): Authentication, push notifications, and analytics.
- Supabase: Database, real-time messaging, user data storage, and backend infrastructure.
- Google Maps: Map display and location services within the App.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of our users or the public.
4. Location Data
Location data is central to Trek N Explore's functionality. Here's how we handle it:
- Foreground Location: Your precise location is collected when you actively use the App to show nearby users, enable public chat, and provide the radar feature.
- Background Location: If you enable "Background Radar" in settings, the App continues to track your location in the background. This is used to keep your position updated on other users' radars and to ensure SOS alerts work even when the App is not actively in use. You can disable background tracking at any time in the App's settings.
- Location Visibility: You can control your visibility on the radar through the App's settings. When disabled, your location is not shared with other users.
- Auto-Cleanup: When you stop using the App for more than 10 minutes (with background tracking disabled), your location data is automatically removed from our servers so you disappear from other users' radars.
5. Data Retention
- Account Data: Your profile information is retained as long as your account is active.
- Public Chat Messages: Auto-deleted after 1 hour.
- Private Messages: Retained as long as both users' accounts are active.
- Location Data: Removed from our servers within 10 minutes of you stopping App usage (if background tracking is off) or when you manually disable location sharing.
- Deleted Accounts: When you delete your account, all associated data (profile, messages, location history, posts) is permanently removed from our servers. You can choose immediate deletion or a 14-day grace period.
6. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- All data transmission is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS.
- Database access is protected by row-level security (RLS) policies, ensuring users can only access their own data.
- Authentication tokens are securely stored on your device.
- Our backend infrastructure is hosted on Supabase (cloud-managed PostgreSQL) with enterprise-grade security.
7. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: You can view your profile information within the App at any time.
- Correction: You can update your display name, username, and profile photo through the App's settings.
- Deletion: You can permanently delete your account and all associated data through the App's Settings → Delete Account. You can also request deletion by contacting us. See our Data Deletion page for details.
- Portability: You can request a copy of your data by contacting us.
- Opt-Out: You can disable push notifications, background location tracking, and radar visibility through the App's settings or your device settings.
8. Children's Privacy
Trek N Explore is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete such information.
9. Third-Party Links
The App may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through the App.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy in the App and on this page, and by updating the "Last updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: