Area Aware+ — Privacy Policy

CrashBytes ("we", "our", or "us") operates the Area Aware+ mobile application, available on both iOS (via the App Store) and Android (via Google Play). This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information across both platforms.

Information We Collect

Location Data

Area Aware+ requests access to your device's location to show risk and safety data for your current area. On iOS, location is obtained via Apple's Core Location / MapKit APIs. On Android, location is obtained via Google Play Services' FusedLocationProvider, which may use a combination of fine (GPS) and coarse (network) location. Your location is used to:

• Display your position on the map
• Fetch area reports (crime, hazards, air quality, economics) for where you are
• Reverse geocode your coordinates into a readable address

Your location data is never sent to our servers. Location coordinates are sent directly from your device to the following public government APIs to retrieve area data. We do not store, log, or track your location history.

On Android, reverse geocoding is performed using the built-in Android Geocoder (which may route through Google Play Services), and forward geocoding for address search uses OpenStreetMap Nominatim.

Maps

On iOS, the app uses Apple MapKit to render maps. On Android, the app uses the Google Maps SDK for Android to render maps and display neighborhood data. Use of Google Maps is subject to Google's own privacy practices — see maps.google.com/help/terms_maps.

Analytics and Crash Reporting

Area Aware+ uses Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics to help us understand how the app is used and to identify and fix crashes. This data is processed by Google and includes:

• Anonymous usage events (e.g., which screens are viewed, when an area report is generated)
• Crash logs and diagnostic data (device model, OS version, stack traces)
• General location of scanned areas (latitude and longitude sent with area scan events)

This data is not linked to your identity. We do not collect your name, email, phone number, or any other personally identifiable information through analytics. You can review Google's privacy practices at firebase.google.com/support/privacy.

Third-Party Data APIs

When you tap a location or search an address, your device sends the coordinates directly to these public data services to retrieve area information. The app fetches by coordinates only — these APIs do not receive any personally identifying data:

• EPA AirNow — Real-time air quality data (airnow.gov)
• Walk Score — Walkability, transit, and bike scores (walkscore.com)
• U.S. Census Bureau (ACS) — Demographics, economics, and geocoding (census.gov)
• FEMA National Risk Index — Natural hazard risk scores (fema.gov)
• National Weather Service (NWS) — Active weather alerts (weather.gov)
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program — Recent seismic activity (usgs.gov)
• OpenStreetMap Nominatim — Address search (forward) geocoding (nominatim.openstreetmap.org)

These services receive only the latitude and longitude of the location you selected — not your identity, device ID, or any personal information. Each service has its own privacy policy governing how it handles requests.

In-App Purchases

Area Aware+ offers a Pro Yearly subscription ($9.99/yr) and a Pro Lifetime one-time purchase ($24.49). On iOS, purchases are processed entirely by Apple through the App Store (StoreKit). On Android, purchases are processed entirely by Google through Google Play Billing. We do not collect, process, or store any payment information, credit card numbers, or billing details — the platform (Apple or Google) handles the transaction and only communicates the purchase/entitlement status back to the app.

Saved Locations

When you bookmark a location, it is saved locally on your device only. Saved locations are not uploaded to any server or synced to any cloud service.

Information We Do NOT Collect

• Personal information (name, email, phone number)
• Account or login information (no accounts required)
• Location history or movement tracking
• Contacts or address book
• Photos, camera, or microphone access
• Health or fitness data
• Browsing history
• Advertising identifiers (we do not serve ads)

Data Storage and Security

All app data — saved locations, preferences, and cached area reports — is stored locally on your device only. We do not operate any servers that store user data. When you delete the app, all local data is removed.

Crime statistics are bundled within the app itself (sourced from FBI Uniform Crime Reports) and do not require any network request to access.

Anonymous analytics and crash data are stored by Google Firebase on their servers. This data cannot be used to identify you personally.

No Advertising

Area Aware+ does not display any advertisements. We do not use ad networks, tracking pixels, or advertising identifiers.

Children's Privacy

Area Aware+ is rated 12+ due to the display of crime statistics. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The app does not require any account or login.

Your Rights

You can:

• Use the app without granting location access (search addresses manually instead)
• On iOS, revoke location access at any time in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
• On Android, revoke location access at any time in Settings > Apps > Area Aware Plus > Permissions > Location
• Delete all local data by deleting the app
• Use the app without making any purchases

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Website: crashbytes.com