Privacy Policy for Ellicott City FloodWatch App

Introduction

Ellicott City FloodWatch ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Email Address: Used for account creation and authentication
• Password: Encrypted and stored securely via Supabase authentication
• Home Address (Optional): Stored locally on your device to provide personalized flood risk assessments
• Notification Preferences: Stored securely via Supabase

Automatically Collected Information

• Account Information: Account creation date and last sign-in date
• APNS Device Token: If you enable push notifications, an APNs device token is stored on our servers solely to deliver alerts.

Information We Do NOT Collect

• We do not collect or request current location
• We do not use analytics or tracking tools
• We do not store your home address on our servers - it remains only on your device

How We Use Your Information

• Account Management: To create and maintain your account
• Personalization: To display relevant flood information for your area
• Notifications: To send weather and flood alerts (only if you enable notifications)

Data Storage and Security

• Authentication: We use Supabase (a secure backend service) for user authentication
• Local Storage: Your home address and preferences are stored locally on your device
• Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted using HTTPS
• Password Security: Passwords are encrypted and never stored in plain text
• Data Security: We do not share or sell your data to third parties

What Data is Stored Where

Stored on Our Servers (via Supabase)

• Email address
• Encrypted password
• Account creation date and last sign-in date
• APNs device token and notification preferences (only if push notifications are enabled)

Stored Only on Your Device (Never Uploaded)

• Your home address
• App settings

Not Stored Anywhere

• Your physical location
• Your usage patterns or analytics

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate our app:

• Supabase (https://supabase.com): For user authentication and account management. View their privacy policy at: https://supabase.com/privacy
• USGS Water Services (https://waterservices.usgs.gov): For river water level data. Public data, no personal information shared
• NOAA Weather API (https://api.weather.gov): For weather and flood alerts. Public data, no personal information shared
• FEMA Map Services (https://msc.fema.gov): For flood zone information. Public data, no personal information shared
• Sunrise-Sunset.org (https://sunrise-sunset.org): For sunrise and sunset times to determine day/night conditions. Public data, no personal information shared

Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
• Local Data: Stored on your device until you clear app data or uninstall
• Authentication Tokens: Managed by Supabase and expire automatically
• APNs Tokens: Automatically deleted after 90 days of inactivity

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: View your account information in the Settings page
• Update: Change your email or home address at any time
• Delete: Permanently delete your account and all associated data
• Opt-Out: Disable notifications at any time in Settings

To delete your account permanently, use the "Delete Account" option in Settings. This action cannot be undone. Your account and all associated data will be immediately and permanently removed from our servers.

Children's Privacy

Ellicott City FloodWatch is not intended for use by children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

Important Disclaimer

Ellicott City FloodWatch is an informational tool only.

• We provide flood risk information based on public data sources
• Data may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate
• Do NOT rely solely on this app for emergency decisions
• Always follow official warnings from local authorities
• We are not liable for damages resulting from use of this app
• This app and its developer are independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any third-party

Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Posting the new policy on our website
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us at:

• Email: support@datahackshaw.com
• Website: https://floodwatchapp.datahackshaw.com

Your Consent

By using FloodWatch, you consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.

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