Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 28, 2026

SafeVelo ("we," "our," or "us") operates the SafeVelo mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you use our App. By using SafeVelo, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Password (stored securely and encrypted)
• Profile photo (if provided)

Location Data

SafeVelo collects precise location data to provide core functionality including activity tracking and proximity safety alerts. Location data is collected:

• While using the App: To display your position on the map, record activity routes, and calculate distance, pace, and duration.
• In the background: To continue tracking your activity session and to provide proximity alerts when the App is not in the foreground. Background location access is required for uninterrupted activity tracking and real-time safety notifications.

You may disable background location access at any time through your device settings, though this will limit the App's tracking and safety alert capabilities.

Activity Data

When you use the App to track activities, we collect:

• Activity type (running, walking, cycling, or driving)
• GPS route coordinates and waypoints
• Start and end timestamps
• Distance traveled, duration, and pace
• Spot locations, notes, and associated metadata

Photos and Media

With your permission, the App accesses your device camera and photo library to:

• Capture photos during activity sessions
• Attach photos to Spots and activities
• Set a profile photo
• Save activity summary images to your device photo library

Photos are stored on our servers only when associated with a saved activity. We do not access or upload photos without your explicit action.

Device Information

We collect limited device information to support push notifications and app functionality:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) device token for delivering push notifications
• Device type and operating system version for compatibility purposes

Notification Preferences

We store your notification preferences including:

• Proximity alert radius setting
• Auto-share preferences for Spots and photos
• Notification snooze duration selections

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide activity tracking: Record and display your routes, calculate performance metrics, and save your activity history.
• Enable proximity safety alerts: Detect when other active users are within your configured notification radius and deliver real-time safety warnings.
• Display your dashboard: Aggregate your activity data to show statistics, trends, and progress over configurable time periods.
• Deliver push notifications: Send proximity alerts, activity-related notifications, and system messages.
• Support sharing features: Generate activity summary images for you to share through your preferred channels.
• Manage your account: Authenticate your identity, maintain your profile, and process account changes.
• Improve the App: Understand usage patterns to enhance features, fix issues, and improve performance.

3. Proximity Alerts and Location Sharing

SafeVelo's proximity alert feature uses real-time location data to notify users when another active user is nearby. When you enable Drive mode or start an activity:

• Your general location is temporarily visible to other active users within the configured notification radius.
• Location sharing is limited to the duration of your active session or Drive mode.
• Other users see only your approximate proximity and activity type — not your personal identity, profile details, or exact coordinates.
• You can disable this feature at any time by stopping your activity, turning off Drive mode, or using the snooze function.

4. Data Storage and Security

We use the following services to store and process your data:

• Firebase Realtime Database: Activity data, route coordinates, and Spot information are stored in Google Firebase. Firebase's security and privacy practices are governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging: Used to deliver push notifications to your device.
• On-device storage: Activity data, user preferences, and cached content are stored locally on your device using encrypted storage.

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Third-Party Services

The App integrates with the following third-party services:

• Google Maps: To display maps, routes, and location data within the App. Use of Google Maps is subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Firebase: For data storage, user authentication, and push notifications. Subject to Firebase's Privacy Policy.
• Google Analytics for Firebase: To collect anonymized usage statistics for improving the App. This may include general interaction data, crash reports, and performance metrics. No personally identifiable information is shared with analytics services.

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

6. Data Retention

We retain your information as follows:

• Account data: Retained for as long as your account is active. Upon account deletion, your personal data is removed from our servers.
• Activity data: Retained for as long as your account is active. You may delete individual activities at any time from within the App.
• Location data: Real-time location data used for proximity alerts is transient and is not stored after your session ends. Route data is retained only as part of saved activities.
• Photos: Retained as part of saved activities. Deleted when the associated activity is deleted or when your account is deleted.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Access and update: You can view and update your profile information at any time through the App's Settings screen.
• Delete activities: You can delete any saved activity and its associated data (route, photos, Spots) from within the App.
• Delete your account: You can permanently delete your account and all associated data through Settings. This action is irreversible.
• Manage permissions: You can revoke location, camera, photo library, and notification permissions at any time through your device settings.
• Disable proximity alerts: You can turn off Drive mode, adjust your notification radius, or use the snooze function to control safety alerts.
• Opt out of notifications: You can disable push notifications through your device settings.

8. Children's Privacy

SafeVelo is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete that information. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal data, please contact us at the email address below.

9. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion, and opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To exercise your rights, contact us using the information below.

10. International Users

If you are accessing the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you through the App. Your continued use of SafeVelo after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: