Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to RendezU ShoreTimer ("App"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our mobile application.

RendezU ShoreTimer is designed with privacy in mind. The app works fully without an account, keeping your data on your device. Account creation is optional and only used for syncing data across devices.

Information We Collect

1. Information You Provide

Account Information (Optional)

• Email address (if you create an account)
• Display name (if you provide one)
• Authentication credentials via Google Sign-In or Apple Sign-In

User-Generated Content

• Port names and berth information
• Emergency contact names and phone numbers
• Personal notes and reminders
• Ship and cruise line information
• Cabin details

2. Information Collected Automatically

Location Data

• GPS coordinates when you start a timer session (to mark your ship's location)
• Your location during active sessions (to calculate distance to ship)
• Position history during sessions (to show your route in the Voyage Log)
• Background location (only if you enable this optional feature for alerts)

Device Information

• Device type and operating system version
• App version
• Language and locale settings
• Time zone information

Usage Data

• Session start and end times
• Session duration
• Timer settings and preferences
• Feature usage (locally stored)

3. Information from Third Parties

Authentication Providers

If you choose to sign in with Google or Apple:

• Basic profile information (name, email)
• Unique identifier from the provider

In-App Purchases

• Purchase receipts from Apple App Store or Google Play Store
• Subscription status (active, expired, etc.)
• We do NOT receive or store your payment card details

How We Use Your Information

Core App Functionality

• Calculate and display countdown timers
• Track distance between you and your ship
• Send timely notifications and alerts
• Display your location on maps
• Store emergency contacts for quick access
• Maintain your session history in the Voyage Log

Account Features (If You Create an Account)

• Sync your data across multiple devices
• Restore your data if you change devices
• Preserve your session history in the cloud

Subscription Management

• Verify your PRO subscription status
• Restore purchases across devices

App Improvement

• Identify and fix bugs
• Improve app performance
• Develop new features

Data Storage

Local Storage (On Your Device)

By default, all your data is stored locally on your device using encrypted storage:

• Timer sessions and history
• Emergency contacts
• Notes and preferences
• Ship/cruise information
• Entitlement status (free session usage)

This data remains on your device unless you create an account and enable sync.

Secure Storage (Persistent Across Reinstalls)

We store a small amount of data in platform-specific secure storage that may persist even if you uninstall and reinstall the app:

• Device Identifier: A randomly generated UUID that identifies your device (not linked to any personal information)
• Free Session Status: Whether you have used your free trial session

This data is stored in:

• iOS: Keychain (Apple's secure credential storage)
• Android: EncryptedSharedPreferences (Google's secure storage)

Purpose: This prevents abuse of the free trial by reinstalling the app. The device ID is randomly generated, anonymous, and not shared with any third parties.

Your Control: This data is cleared if you perform a factory reset on your device. You can also contact us to request removal of this data.

Cloud Storage (Optional - Account Users Only)

If you create an account, the following data is synced to Google Firebase:

• User profile (display name, email)
• App settings and preferences
• Session history
• Emergency contacts
• Notes

Cloud data is stored in secure Google Firebase servers located in the United States.

Data Sharing

We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

Third-Party Services We Use

When We May Share Data

• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or legal process
• Safety: To protect the safety of our users or the public
• Business Transfer: If we merge with or are acquired by another company

Location Data

How We Use Location

Location is central to ShoreTimer's functionality:

• Ship Location Capture: When you start a session, ShoreTimer captures your GPS coordinates to mark where your ship is docked.
• Distance Calculation: During a session, ShoreTimer periodically checks your location to calculate how far you are from the ship.
• Travel Time Estimates: ShoreTimer estimates walking or driving time based on your distance.
• Route History: ShoreTimer records your path during a session to show in your Voyage Log.
• Background Alerts (Optional): If enabled, ShoreTimer monitors your location in the background to alert you when you should head back.

Location Data Retention

• Active session locations: Stored until session ends
• Position history: Stored with session in Voyage Log
• Ship location: Stored with session data

Your Control Over Location

• You can deny location permission (core features will be limited)
• Background location is optional and can be disabled in Settings
• You can delete your session history at any time

Data Retention

Local Data

Data stored on your device remains until:

• You delete it within the app
• You uninstall the app
• You clear app data through your device settings

Cloud Data (Account Users)

If you have an account, cloud data is retained until:

• You delete your account
• You request data deletion
• We delete inactive accounts (after 2 years of inactivity with notice)

Subscription Data

Purchase history is retained by Apple/Google according to their policies.

Your Rights and Choices

Access Your Data

You can view all your data within the app:

• Settings > Account shows your profile
• Voyage Log shows your session history
• Info Vault shows your contacts and notes

Export Your Data

You can export your data through Settings > Account > Export Data.

Delete Your Data

• Local Data: Delete individual items or clear all data in Settings
• Cloud Data: Delete your account in Settings > Account > Delete Account
• Contact Us: Contact us for assistance

Opt-Out Options

• Account: Use the app without creating an account (default)
• Cloud Sync: Disable sync in Settings
• Background Location: Disable in Settings > Motion
• Notifications: Disable in Settings > Notifications

Children's Privacy

RendezU ShoreTimer is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us.

Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your data:

• Encryption: Sensitive local data is encrypted on your device
• Secure Transmission: All data transmitted to our servers uses HTTPS/TLS
• Authentication: Secure sign-in via Firebase Authentication
• Access Control: Cloud data is only accessible to you when signed in

However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Users

RendezU ShoreTimer is operated from Australia. If you are located outside Australia, your information may be transferred to and processed in Australia or other countries where our service providers operate (including the United States for Firebase services).

By using the app, you consent to this transfer. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the new policy in the app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending a notification through the app (for significant changes)

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Additional Information for Specific Regions

European Economic Area (EEA) Users

If you are in the EEA, you have additional rights under GDPR:

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent

To exercise these rights, contact us.

Legal Basis for Processing:

• Contract: Processing necessary to provide the app's services
• Consent: For optional features like cloud sync and marketing
• Legitimate Interest: For app improvement and security

California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect
• Request deletion of personal information
• Opt-out of sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact us.

Australian Users

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988. You may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if you believe we have breached your privacy.

Summary