Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information Know Waves ("the App") collects, how it's used, and who it's shared with. By using the App, you agree to the practices described here.

Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect your email address and name to identify you within the App and to your float plan contacts and crew.

Location Data

The App uses your device's location, only while the App is open and in use, to show your position on the chart, track your route, calculate ETA, and share your position with contacts you've added to a float plan. We do not collect your location in the background or when the App is closed.

Separately, while you're signed in, an anonymized marker showing your approximate position may be visible to other users of the App and the web map — labeled only "Boater" with a randomly assigned handle (like "Captain-4821") or "Anonymous" for a guest session, plus how long the account has existed, never your real name or any other identifying information — regardless of whether you've shared a route on a float plan. You can turn this off at any time with Go Invisible in Settings (see Your Choices).

Boat, Crew, and Float Plan Information

Information you enter about your vessel (name, HIN, dimensions, cruise speed, type), passengers and crew (name, age, phone number, photo, role), and float plans (route, departure and ETA times, rescue authority contact) is stored so you can create, share, and reuse it across trips.

Contacts

If you choose to add a crew member or passenger from your address book, the App requests one-time access to your Contacts. Only the specific contact you select is used, to prefill that person's name and phone number into your float plan — we do not upload or store your address book.

Photos

If you choose to add a profile picture, or a photo of your boat or a crew member, the App requests access to your photo library to let you pick that image. Only the photo you select is uploaded and stored.

User-Submitted Condition Reports

When you report a sea-state, weather, or hazard observation, we store the report's content, your location at the time (or the location you pinned, if reported at an arbitrary map location instead of your current position), and, unless you choose to report anonymously, your identity as the reporter, so other users on the water can see it.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information above to:

• Show your position, route, and ETA on the chart.
• Let you build and share float plans, and boat and crew records.
• Share your live position with the contacts you designate on a float plan.
• Display crowd-sourced condition reports to other users near that location.
• Operate, maintain, and improve the App.

Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your information. We share it only in these ways:

• Float plan sharing: your live position, route, and ETA are visible to the contacts you add to a float plan, for the duration of that plan.
• Anonymized presence: while signed in, an anonymized position marker (labeled "Boater" with a random handle, or "Anonymous" for a guest session, plus how long the account has existed — never your real name) may be visible to other users of the App and the web map, even without an active float plan, unless you've turned on Go Invisible.
• Condition reports: visible to other users of the App, along with your name and boat (or "Anonymous" if you choose that option when reporting).
• Service providers: we use Google Firebase (see Third-Party Services below) to store and transmit this data. We don't otherwise share your information with third parties.
• Legal requirements: if required to do so by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Know Waves or others.

Data Retention

Condition reports are automatically archived a few hours after being posted. Account, boat, float plan, and crew information you've entered is retained until you delete it or request account deletion (see Contact below).

Third-Party Services

The App is built on Google Firebase for authentication, data storage (Firestore and Realtime Database), and file storage (photos). Location sharing uses GeoFire, built on Firebase Realtime Database. These providers process data on our behalf under their own privacy and security terms and do not use it for their own advertising purposes.

The App does not use advertising and does not track you across other companies' apps or websites.

Your Choices

• You can allow or deny Location, Contacts, and Photo Library access at any time in your device's Settings.
• Go Invisible (in the App's own Settings, not your device's): hides the anonymized position marker described above entirely. While it's on, you can't post new condition reports, since a report always carries a location and turning it in while invisible would defeat the point.
• You can choose to report a condition anonymously instead of under your name.
• You can set your own username (Profile → Edit Profile) instead of the random one assigned when your account was created.
• You can request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us below.

Children's Privacy

The App is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

Contact Us

Questions about this policy, or requests to access or delete your data, can be sent to rgklouda@comcast.net.