Privacy Policy
Effective July 11, 2026
Cairn is a map app for discovering and sharing photography spots. This policy explains what data the app handles, why, and what control you have over it. The short version: we collect only what the app needs to work, we don't run ads, we don't track you across other apps or sites, and we never sell your data.
What we collect
- Account details. When you create an account: your email address, a username you choose, and — if you sign in with Apple or Google — the identity token those providers share. Browsing as a guest requires no account.
- Photos you upload. The photo itself and its embedded metadata: GPS coordinates, capture date and time. This is the core of the app — your photo marks a spot on the shared map, visible to other users along with your username.
- Device location. Only if you grant permission, used to center the map near you. It is not stored or shared.
- Activity in the app. Spots you save, marks you earn, users you block, and reports you file.
- Diagnostics and usage. Crash reports (via Firebase Crashlytics) and a small set of anonymous usage events — such as a sign-up, an upload, or a paywall view — (via Firebase Analytics) that tell us whether the app works and which features matter. These are not linked to your identity, ad personalization is disabled, and they are never used to track you across other apps or sites.
Where it lives
Cairn is built on Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Cloud Storage). Your data is stored on Google's infrastructure under Firebase's privacy terms. Cairn Pro purchases are processed by Apple and managed through RevenueCat, which receives a purchase record tied to an anonymous app user ID — never your payment details, which stay with Apple. Sun and weather details shown for spots are fetched from third-party services that receive only geographic coordinates — never your identity.
What other users see
Photos you publish, the spot details you write, and your username are public inside the app. Your email address is never shown to other users. Saved spots, blocks, and your logbook are private to your account.
Deleting your data
You can delete your account any time in Profile → Settings → Delete account. This permanently removes your account, every photo and spot you uploaded, your saved spots, and your earned marks. There is no grace period or backup copy in the app.
Children
Cairn is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from them.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted here with an updated effective date.
Contact
Questions or data requests: support@cairnmaps.app