Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Marine Tracker (“Marine Tracker”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses, discloses and protects information when you use our mobile application (the “App”) on Android and iOS. By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Data we collect

We collect as little as the App needs to function. The tables below break this down by feature.

1.1 Information you provide

• Favorites: vessels, ports and lighthouses you star are stored locally on your device in an on-device database. We do not upload your favorites list to our servers unless you enable an optional cloud-sync feature, if and when one is offered.
• Support requests: if you email us, we receive whatever you include — your email address and message content.
• Subscription purchases: if you purchase Marine Tracker Pro, payment is handled entirely by Google Play or the Apple App Store. We never see or store your payment details — our subscription provider, RevenueCat, receives a purchase token and entitlement status to confirm your subscription.

1.2 Information collected automatically

• Location (approximate or precise, on-device only): used to center the live map near you and to power the marine compass heading. Location processing for the compass happens on-device using your device’s sensors; we do not log a continuous location history to our servers.
• Device & diagnostic data: device model, OS version, app version, crash reports and performance data, collected via Firebase to keep the App stable.
• Usage analytics: screens viewed, features used, and app-open/session events, used in aggregate to understand which features matter and to improve the App.
• Advertising identifiers: for users on the free tier, our ad partner (Google AdMob) uses device advertising identifiers to serve and measure ads. This does not apply once you upgrade to Marine Tracker Pro, which removes ads entirely.

2. Vessel & AIS data

The ship positions, ports and lighthouse information shown in the App are sourced from a third-party AIS (Automatic Identification System) data provider and our own bundled datasets. This data describes vessels and public marine infrastructure — it is not personal data about you, and viewing it does not require you to share any personal information.

3. How we use your data

• To operate core features: the live map, search, ports, lighthouses and compass.
• To process and validate Marine Tracker Pro subscriptions via RevenueCat.
• To determine which paywall or offer to show, via Superwall, based on non-identifying attributes such as app version and platform.
• To serve relevant, non-personalized or personalized ads (per your consent choice) via Google AdMob, for free-tier users.
• To diagnose crashes and improve performance and reliability, via Firebase.
• To respond to support requests you send us.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your data to build a profile for purposes unrelated to operating and improving Marine Tracker.

4. Third-party services we use

5. How we protect third-party API access

Marine Tracker never embeds vessel-data, AI or weather provider keys inside the App itself. All calls to VesselAPI, OpenAI and OpenWeatherMap are routed through our own backend proxy, which holds the credentials server-side and validates that requests come from a genuine copy of the App via Firebase App Check. This protects both your data and the integrity of the service — it does not mean these providers receive personal data about you, only the vessel or location query needed to answer your request.

6. What stays on your device

Your favorites list, recent searches, and app preferences (such as light/dark theme and selected language) are stored locally in an on-device database and shared-preferences store. This data is not transmitted to our servers and is removed if you uninstall the App.

7. Push notifications

Marine Tracker Pro subscribers can enable port arrival and departure alerts. Enabling this feature registers a device notification token with Firebase Cloud Messaging so we can deliver the alert; it does not disclose your identity to any third party beyond what’s needed to route the notification to your device. You can disable notifications at any time in your device settings or in-app.

8. Children’s privacy

Marine Tracker is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us at privacy@marinetracker.app and we will delete it.

9. Your rights & choices

• Ad personalization: manage ad tracking permissions through your device’s privacy settings (App Tracking Transparency on iOS, Ads settings on Android), or remove ads entirely with Marine Tracker Pro.
• Location: location access can be revoked at any time in your device settings — the map and search will keep working, but the compass and “near me” map centering will not.
• Notifications: disable at any time in device or in-app settings.
• Access & deletion: depending on your region (including under GDPR and CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to request a copy of, or deletion of, personal data we hold about you. Email privacy@marinetracker.app to make a request.
• Account deletion: since core App data lives on your device, uninstalling the App removes your local favorites and preferences. To request deletion of any server-side data tied to your subscription or diagnostics, contact us using the email above.

10. Data retention

We retain diagnostic and analytics data only as long as necessary to operate and improve the App, typically no longer than 26 months, after which it is aggregated or deleted. Subscription records are retained as required for tax, accounting and fraud-prevention purposes.

11. International data transfers

Marine Tracker and the third-party services listed above may process data on servers located outside your country of residence. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) for these transfers.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “last updated” date above, and where required by law, we will provide additional notice in the App.

13. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email privacy@marinetracker.app.