GeoTrackMe - Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 28, 2025
Effective Date: November 28, 2025

Introduction

GeoTrackMe ("we," "us," or "our") values the privacy of our users. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, store it, and protect it when you use the GeoTrackMe mobile application ("App").

IMPORTANT NOTE - USERS UNDER 13: GeoTrackMe is an application that children under the age of 13 may use only with parental or legal guardian consent. If you are under 13, you must obtain permission from your parent or legal guardian before using this application. Parents and legal guardians, please read the "Children's Privacy" section carefully.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Information Collected via Google Sign-In:

  • Email Address: For account creation, authentication, and user communication.
  • Display Name: To identify your profile within the application.
  • Profile Photo (Photo URL): To display your Google account profile picture within the application.

This information is collected and processed via the Firebase Authentication service.

1.2 Location Data

GeoTrackMe's core function is real-time location sharing. We collect the following location data:

  • Real-Time GPS Coordinates: Latitude and longitude information.
  • Location Accuracy: The accuracy level of the GPS data.
  • Location Timestamp: Date and time when the location was recorded.
  • Background Location Data: Location updates when the app is closed or running in the background.

How Location Data is Collected:

  • Foreground: Continuous location updates while the app is open.
  • Background: Location updates even when the app is closed, provided you have enabled the "Share Location" feature.
  • Location Service: Continuous tracking using Android Foreground Service.
  • Update Interval: Based on the interval set in your settings (Default: every 10 seconds).

How Location Data is Used:

  • To show your real-time location to friends you follow.
  • To share your location with friends who follow you.
  • To display location on Google Maps.

Important: You can stop location sharing at any time from the settings. When you stop location sharing, your location is no longer collected or shared with friends.

1.3 Friendship and Follow Data

  • People You Follow: List of users you are following.
  • Followers: List of users following you.
  • Follow Requests: Sent and received follow requests.
  • Friend Nicknames: Custom names you assign to friends (optional).
  • Friend Avatars: Custom avatars you select for friends (optional).

This information is stored in the Firebase Firestore database.

1.4 Account and Subscription Information

  • Account Type: FREE, REMOVE_ADS, PLUS3, PLUS5, PLUS_UNLIMITED.
  • Subscription Status: Active subscriptions and history.
  • Friend Limit Info: Maximum number of people you can follow based on your account type.
  • In-App Purchase History: Records of purchases made via Google Play Billing.

1.5 Biometric Data (Optional)

If you enable security features in the app:

  • Fingerprint Data: Stored locally on your device; never sent to our servers.
  • Face Recognition Data: Stored locally on your device; never sent to our servers.
  • PIN Code: Stored locally on your device in encrypted form (EncryptedSharedPreferences - AES256-GCM).

Important: Biometric data is never sent to our servers or third-party services. This data is securely stored on your device using Android KeyStore and BiometricPrompt APIs.

1.6 App Usage Data

  • Device Information: Android version, device model, language preference.
  • App Usage Statistics: Features used (e.g., number of friends added).
  • Error Logs: To detect app crashes and errors.

1.7 Advertising Identifiers

To show advertisements to FREE account users:

  • Google Advertising ID: To show relevant ads via Google AdMob based on your interests.
  • Ad Interaction Data: Which ads you clicked on, how long you viewed them.

Important: You can reset your advertising identifier from your device settings or opt-out of personalized ads.

2. How We Use Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 Core App Functions

  • User account creation and authentication.
  • Real-time location sharing and tracking features.
  • Adding friends, sending/accepting follow requests.
  • Displaying locations on Google Maps.
  • Sending notifications (follow requests, location updates).

2.2 Security and Protection

  • Ensuring account security (biometric verification, PIN code).
  • Preventing fraud and abuse.
  • Detecting suspicious activities.
  • Data access control via Firebase Security Rules.

2.3 App Improvement

  • Detecting and fixing bugs and crashes.
  • Improving user experience.
  • Developing new features.
  • Performance optimization.

2.4 Advertising (FREE Accounts)

  • Showing relevant ads via Google AdMob.
  • Measuring ad performance.

2.5 Communication

  • Informing about important app updates.
  • Sending security notifications.
  • Responding to user support requests.

3. Information Sharing and Third-Party Services

We may share your information in the following situations and with the following parties:

3.1 Sharing with Other App Users

People You Follow:

  • Can see your real-time location.
  • Can see your profile name and profile photo.

Your Followers:

  • You can see their real-time location.
  • You can see their profile names and profile photos.

Your Public Data (public_users collection):

  • Email address (for user search).
  • Display name.
  • Profile photo.

Your Private Data (only visible to you and those you follow/who follow you):

  • Your real-time location data.
  • Your follow lists.

3.2 Google Firebase (Service Provider)

  • Firebase Authentication: Authentication via Google Sign-In, user account management. Firebase Privacy Policy
  • Firebase Firestore: User profiles, location data, friend requests, real-time database synchronization. Firestore Privacy & Security
  • Firebase Storage: User avatar images (may be used in future).

3.3 Google Maps Platform

3.4 Google AdMob (Advertising Service)

  • Used to show ads to FREE account users.
  • Your advertising identifier and device info are shared with Google AdMob. Google AdMob Privacy Policy

3.5 Google Play Services

3.6 Legal Obligations

We may share your information if:

  • Required by law (court order, legal process).
  • Necessary to protect user safety (threats, violence, crime).
  • Necessary to prevent fraud and abuse.
  • Necessary to detect violations of our terms of service.

4. Data Retention and Security

4.1 Data Retention Period

Active Accounts: Your data is retained as long as your account is active. Your location data is updated in real-time, and old data is not automatically deleted.

Account Deletion: When you delete your account, all your personal data is deleted within 30 days. Complete removal from backup systems may take up to 90 days. Some data may be retained if required by legal obligations.

4.2 Security Measures

Encryption:

  • HTTPS/TLS: All data communication is conducted over encrypted connections.
  • EncryptedSharedPreferences: Sensitive data is encrypted on the device using the AES256-GCM algorithm.
  • Firebase Security Rules: Database access control and permission management.

Authentication:

  • Secure login via Firebase Authentication.
  • Google Sign-In OAuth 2.0 protocol.
  • Biometric authentication (fingerprint, face recognition).
  • PIN code protection.

Important Note: No internet-based data transmission or electronic storage method is 100% secure. While we implement reasonable security measures, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

5.1 Parental Consent Requirement

GeoTrackMe is an app that children under 13 may use only with parental or legal guardian consent.

For Users Under 13:

  • You must obtain permission from your parent or legal guardian before using the app.
  • You cannot create an account without parental consent.
  • Parents have the right to manage and delete their children's accounts.

5.2 Information Collected from Children

The information collected from users under 13 is the same as that collected from adult users (Google account info, real-time GPS, friend data, device info).

Important: We strongly recommend parents take the following precautions:

  • Regularly check who the child is sharing their location with.
  • Allow sharing only with known and trusted individuals.
  • Review location sharing settings together.
  • Educate the child on safe app usage.

5.3 Parental Rights

Parents and legal guardians have the right to:

  1. Review personal information collected about their child.
  2. Request deletion of their child's personal information or account.
  3. Refuse further collection of information about their child (which may prevent app usage).
  4. View and manage who their child shares location with.

Contact for Parental Requests: Email: privacy@apppico.com (Response time: within 10 business days).

5.4 Protection of Children's Data

GeoTrackMe complies with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) in the United States. More info on FTC COPPA.

6. Your Rights (GDPR and Data Protection)

  • Right of Access: Request access to all personal data we collect about you.
  • Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your account and personal data (via Settings > Delete Account or email).
  • Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used format.
  • Right to Object: Object to specific data processing activities.

To Exercise Your Rights: Email: privacy@apppico.com. Verification may be required.

7. Controlling Location Data

  • Stop Location Sharing: Go to Settings > Turn off "Share Location".
  • Disable Background Location: Go to Device Settings > Location Permissions > Select "Allow only while using the app".
  • Delete Location History: Contact privacy@apppico.com.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

GeoTrackMe does not use cookies directly, but integrated services may use cookie-like technologies:

  • Google Analytics for Firebase: Collects anonymous usage stats.
  • Google AdMob: Uses advertising IDs to optimize ad delivery.
  • Local Storage (SharedPreferences): Stores app settings locally on the device.

9. International Data Transfer

Your data may be processed in Google Cloud Platform data centers (multi-region), Google infrastructure, and Google servers. For EU/EEA users, GDPR-compliant data transfer mechanisms are used.

10. Notifications and Communication

We may send push notifications for friend requests, safety alerts, or updates. You can disable these in Settings. We may email you regarding security alerts or policy changes.

11. Third-Party Links

The app may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies.

12. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this policy. The "Last Updated" date at the top will be revised. Significant changes may be notified via the app or email. Continued use implies acceptance.

13. Data Breach Notification

In case of a data breach, we will notify affected users within 72 hours, explain the scope, and inform local data protection authorities.

14. Age Restrictions

  • USA & Canada: 13+ (with parental consent).
  • EU: 16+ (or 13-15 with parental consent depending on country).
  • Other Regions: 13+ (with parental consent).

15. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

  • Right to Know: What personal info is collected/used/shared.
  • Right to Delete: Request deletion of collected info.
  • Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell your personal info. Limited sharing occurs with ad services (AdMob).
  • Non-Discrimination: No discrimination for exercising privacy rights.

CCPA Requests: privacy@apppico.com

16. Contact Information

If you have questions about this policy:

AppPico - GeoTrackMe
📧 Email: privacy@apppico.com
📧 Support: support@apppico.com

17. Consent and Acceptance

By using GeoTrackMe, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and sharing of your personal data as described herein. If you are under 13, you represent that you have obtained parental/guardian consent.