Privacy Policy for Locate Us
At Locate Us, your privacy is of utmost importance to us. Locate Us is owned and managed by Pixster Studio. This Privacy Policy outlines the information we collect, how we use it, and the steps we take to ensure the protection of your personal data. By using our app or services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, we encourage you to stop using our services.
Information We Collect
When you use our Locate Us app, we collect personal information directly provided by you to enable the core functionalities of the app. This includes your phone number, which is essential for account creation, verification, and the functionality of the app. Additionally, if you log in via third-party accounts like Google or Facebook, we securely link your app account with your email and phone number but do not store your login credentials.
We also collect device information, such as the model, operating system version, and unique device identifiers to optimize the app’s performance and offer a personalized user experience. The App requests certain device permissions — Notifications, Location, and Background Location — which are described in detail in the "App Permissions" section below.
Furthermore, we may gather usage data regarding how you interact with the app, including your actions within the app, such as which features you use, the frequency of usage, crash reports, and other diagnostic data. This data helps us improve the functionality and performance of the app. If you contact our support team, we will collect information such as your name, email address, the nature of your inquiry, and any files you may send us to assist you in resolving your issues.
The App also generates in-app notifications (for example, location-based alerts and account updates) which are saved in a notification history so that you can view past notifications within the app at any time.
The App additionally offers individual and group ("Circle") chat features that allow you to exchange text messages with other users. Chat messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning the content of your messages is encrypted on your device and can only be read by the sender and intended recipient(s); Pixster Studio and our service providers, including Firebase, cannot read the content of your messages. Encrypted message data is stored on Firebase solely to enable message delivery, syncing across your devices, and chat history. We do not have access to the decrypted content of your chats.
The App includes an SOS feature and an automatic Crash Alert feature. When you activate SOS, or when the App detects a potential vehicle crash, the App sends an alert — which may include your location at the time of the alert — solely to the members of the Circle(s) you belong to. We do not use SOS or Crash Alert data for any purpose other than delivering these alerts to your Circle members, and this data is handled with the same protections described elsewhere in this Privacy Policy.
The App also offers geofence-based check-in features. You (or another member of your Circle) can define a geofenced area — including a temporary geofence created for a specific, one-time occasion — and choose which Circle member(s) should be notified. A temporary geofence is intended for single use only: it becomes inactive after the one entry/exit event (or set of events) it was created for has occurred, or once it expires, whichever comes first. When a designated user enters or exits an active geofenced area, the App notifies the Circle member(s) selected to receive that notification. Geofence definitions (including temporary geofences) and entry/exit events are processed to provide this notification feature and are handled with the same protections described elsewhere in this Privacy Policy.
App Permissions
To provide its core features, the App requests the following device permissions. You can review or change these permissions at any time through your device's Settings app.
Notifications: We request permission to send you notifications, such as location-based alerts, updates from your Circle, and account-related messages. These notifications are also saved to your in-app notification history. You can disable notifications at any time through your device settings, though you may miss time-sensitive alerts as a result.
Location (While Using the App): We request access to your device's location while you are actively using the App in order to provide location-based features, such as showing your location to your Circle members and helping you find family members nearby.
Background Location: The App requests permission to access your location in the background — that is, even when the App is closed or not actively in use. This is required because Locate Us is a continuous family location-sharing service: your Circle members rely on being able to see your up-to-date location at any time, not only while you have the App open. Background location access allows the App to keep your shared location current and to power location-based alerts (such as arrival/departure notifications) without you needing to keep the App open. Background location data is handled with the same protections described in this Privacy Policy and is used solely to provide these location-sharing and notification features — it is not used for advertising and is not sold to third parties. You can revoke background location access at any time through your device's Settings app; doing so will limit the App's ability to share your location or send location-based alerts while the App is not actively open, but will not otherwise prevent you from using the App.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to provide, improve, and personalize the Locate Us app and related services. This includes managing your account, enabling features like location tracking — including continuous location sharing via background location access — sending service-related notifications (such as account confirmations and updates), and responding to your support queries.
We use notification data to maintain your in-app notification history so you can review past alerts and updates. We use encrypted chat data solely to deliver messages between you and the intended recipient(s) and to sync and display your chat history across your devices within the App; because chat messages are end-to-end encrypted, we do not use the content of your messages for any other purpose, such as analytics or advertising. We use SOS, Crash Alert, and geofence check-in data solely to send the relevant alerts and notifications to your Circle members as described above.
To improve our app, we monitor its performance, including the collection of usage data and crash reports. These help us identify areas for improvement and fix bugs. Additionally, Firebase Analytics is used to collect and analyze data on how the app is used. This tool provides us with insights such as how often features are used, the app’s overall performance, and user engagement. Firebase anonymizes this data, and we use it solely for app performance and enhancement, not for advertising purposes. Firebase complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) standards. You can review Firebase’s privacy policy here.
We may also use your data for service improvement. For example, based on user feedback and usage data, we might add new features, fix issues, or enhance existing functionalities to ensure the app remains user-friendly and efficient.
Third-Party Services
We may share your data with trusted third parties that help us operate the app, deliver location-based services, or assist with analytics. However, we do not share your personal data for advertising purposes.
Google Services: We use Google’s location-based services to enable location functionalities in the app. These services are integral to the app’s ability to help you find family members or nearby events based on your location.
Firebase Analytics: We use Firebase for analyzing how users interact with the app, which helps us enhance the user experience by identifying performance issues, usage patterns, and trends.
Firebase (Chat & Notifications): We use Firebase's cloud infrastructure to store end-to-end encrypted chat messages and to deliver and store your in-app notification history. Firebase stores this data on our behalf and, for chat messages, only in encrypted form that Firebase itself cannot decrypt.
If you log in via third-party services like Google or Facebook, we securely link your account to your email and phone number but do not store any of your login credentials.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide you with our services. This includes your notification history, end-to-end encrypted chat messages, and SOS, Crash Alert, and geofence check-in data, which are retained for as long as your account is active so that you can access your notification and chat history and so the related alert features continue to work. If you decide to delete your account or request the removal of your data, we will delete your personal data, including your notification history, chat messages, and SOS/Crash Alert/geofence data, from our systems, except for cases where retention is required by law, regulation, or for operational reasons (e.g., to resolve disputes or comply with legal obligations).
Your Rights (GDPR & CCPA)
GDPR Rights (For European Economic Area Residents)
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) have the following rights:
Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the data we hold about you.
Right to Rectification: You can correct any inaccuracies in your data.
Right to Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal data under certain conditions.
Right to Restrict Processing: You can ask us to limit the processing of your data.
Right to Object: You can object to the processing of your data for certain purposes.
Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a format that allows you to transfer it to another provider.
Right to Withdraw Consent: If we process your data based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
CCPA Rights (For California Residents)
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the following rights:
Right to Know: You can request details about the personal data we have collected about you.
Right to Delete: You can request the deletion of your personal data.
Right to Opt-Out: You can opt-out of the sale of your data (if applicable).
Right to Non-Discrimination: You have the right not to be discriminated against for exercising any of your CCPA rights.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at feedback@pixsterstudio.com. We will respond to your request as required by applicable law.
Data Security
We take the protection of your personal data seriously. We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, such as encryption and secure transmission protocols. Chat messages sent through the App's individual and Circle chat features are end-to-end encrypted, meaning they are encrypted on your device before transmission and can only be decrypted by the sender and intended recipient(s). However, no system is entirely immune to breaches, and while we strive to ensure the security of your information, we cannot guarantee absolute protection. We encourage users to take necessary precautions when transmitting personal information over the internet.
Children’s Privacy
The Locate Us app is intended for users aged 13 and older in the U.S. and 16 and older in the EU, in accordance with data protection regulations. If we become aware that a child under the age of 13 (in the U.S.) or 16 (in the EU) has provided personal data without consent, we will take immediate steps to delete that data. If a child wishes to use the app, they must obtain the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
International Data Transfers
Your personal data may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside of your country of residence, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country of residence. We ensure that your data is transferred in compliance with applicable laws, including using Standard Contractual Clauses or other legal mechanisms where required.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Currently, we do not use cookies or similar tracking technologies within the Locate Us app. If we decide to implement cookies or similar technologies in the future, we will update this policy and seek your consent before using them.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.We will notify you of significant changes via in-app notifications or other means. By continuing to use the app after changes are posted, you accept and agree to the updated Privacy Policy.