Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 22, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how WanderTrails ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the WanderTrails mobile application (the "App" or "Service"). By using WanderTrails, you agree to the practices described below.

Definitions

  • Application – WanderTrails, the mobile app provided by the Company.
  • Company – WanderTrails.
  • Country – Estonia.
  • Device – Any smartphone, tablet, or similar device that can access the Service.
  • Personal Data – Information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual.
  • Service Provider – Third-party companies or individuals that help us provide the Service (e.g., Firebase).
  • Usage Data – Data collected automatically when using the Service.

Data We Collect and How We Use It

Location Data

  • Precise location (required): Used for navigation, calculating distances, and tracking route progress.
  • Foreground location service (required during navigation): When you start a route, WanderTrails may run a foreground service with a persistent notification to continue location tracking if the screen is off or the app is minimized. This ensures you still receive arrival and checkpoint updates.
  • Approximate location (optional): May be used to show nearby trails and general availability.

Device Identifiers (required)

  • WanderTrails uses a Firebase Installation ID and basic device information (e.g., model, OS version).
  • These identifiers are necessary for app functionality and stability.
  • This data is required and cannot be disabled while using the app.

Analytics (optional)

  • With your consent, anonymized analytics may be collected (e.g., which features are most popular).
  • You can disable analytics in your device settings.

Crash Logs & Diagnostics (optional)

  • With your consent, technical information may be collected if the app crashes or malfunctions.
  • This helps us diagnose and fix issues.
  • You can disable crash reporting in your device settings.

App Interactions (optional)

  • We may log in-app actions (e.g., completed routes, milestones).
  • This supports features like progress tracking and achievements.
  • You can continue using the app without enabling this collection.

Notifications (optional)

WanderTrails may send notifications for:

  • Navigation – guiding you to the route start, checkpoint and arrival alerts.
  • Play Mode updates – milestone reached, checkpoint progress.
  • General reminders – e.g., "new trail available".

➡️ Navigation notifications may continue while the app is minimized (via the foreground service).
➡️ All notifications can be managed or disabled in your device settings.
➡️ (If remote/push notifications are added in the future, this policy will be updated before release.)

Purpose of Data Use

We may use collected data to:

  • Provide and maintain the Service.
  • Enable navigation, route tracking, and progress features.
  • Diagnose and fix crashes or technical issues.
  • Improve app stability and performance.
  • Contact you regarding important updates.
  • Analyze usage trends to enhance user experience.
  • Support features such as achievements, milestones, and future expansions.

Third-Party Services

We rely on trusted providers to process some data:

  • Firebase Analytics – anonymized usage statistics (optional).
  • Firebase Crashlytics – crash reports and diagnostics (optional).
  • Mapbox – map rendering and attribution. Clicking on the Mapbox info icon may open external websites (e.g., Mapbox Terms, OpenStreetMap copyright). These are opened in your browser and not tracked by WanderTrails.
  • Meta (Facebook) App Events – ad campaign measurement (optional). We use it to measure the performance of our marketing campaigns and understand which downloads came from ads (e.g., app opens after an ad). WanderTrails does not show ads inside the app.

Advertising & measurement (Meta)

If you enable Ad Measurement (Meta) in the app Settings, Meta may receive limited information such as device identifiers, app events (e.g., app launch), IP address, and technical information (device and OS details) for attribution, measurement, and fraud prevention. On iOS, enabling this feature may trigger Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt; if you allow tracking, the device advertising identifier (IDFA) may be used for attribution. We do not sell your personal data.

You can control this anytime:

  • In the app: Settings → Privacy & Diagnostics → Ad Measurement (Meta)
  • iOS device settings: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
  • Android device settings: Google Settings → Ads (or Privacy) → reset/limit ad personalization

External links & content sources

WanderTrails may display media credits and provide external links to source pages (for example Wikimedia Commons, museum collections, or author pages). When you tap a source link, it opens in your browser (or an in-app browser). Those third-party sites may collect information such as your IP address, device/browser details, and cookies according to their own privacy policies. WanderTrails does not control these sites and does not receive their data from them unless you choose to contact us directly.

Third-party policies

These providers may process data according to their own privacy policies.

Legal basis (EEA/UK)

We process this data for legitimate interests (analytics, security, and advertising measurement) and, where required, based on your consent (via the in-app toggle and device settings).

Retention of Data

  • Required data (e.g., Firebase Installation ID) is kept only while the app is installed.
  • Optional analytics and crash data are retained according to Firebase's retention policies.
  • Foreground location data is processed only on your device to support navigation and is not stored on our servers.
  • You may request deletion of your data at any time (see below).

Data Deletion Rights

  • You have the right to request deletion of your data at any time.
  • For full instructions, visit our Data Deletion Page.
  • If you uninstall the app, technical identifiers are automatically deleted. Optional analytics or crash data may remain in Firebase for a limited period.

Data Transfers

  • Your data may be processed outside your country of residence.
  • We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in line with applicable data protection laws.

Children's Privacy

  • WanderTrails is not directed at children under 13.
  • We do not knowingly collect data from children.
  • If such data is discovered, it will be deleted immediately.

Changes to This Policy

  • We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
  • Updates will be posted here with a revised "Last updated" date.
  • We recommend reviewing this page periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
📧 alsem.prod@gmail.com