Privacy Policy

Introduction

I'm Walkin' Here! ("I'm Walkin' Here!", "we," "us," or "our") is a Manhattan street-exploration app for iPhone. It helps users track which Manhattan streets and neighborhoods they have walked, building toward a goal of exploring the whole island.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how it may be shared, and the choices you have. Please read it before using the app.

Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide, information generated when you use the app, and information collected through device permissions that you choose to grant.

Depending on how you use I'm Walkin' Here!, this may include:

• account and authentication information;
• location information;
• walk and route session information;
• explored street and neighborhood progress;
• leaderboard and friend information; and
• limited device, sync, and app-operation information.

Location Data

I'm Walkin' Here! uses precise location to show you on the Manhattan map, record walks, match walked routes to Manhattan streets, and update your exploration progress.

If you grant location permission, the app may use your device location to:

• show your current position on the Manhattan map;
• determine whether a walk can be started from your current location;
• record a walk after you tap Start;
• match your walked route to eligible Manhattan street segments;
• update explored street, neighborhood, and overall Manhattan progress; and
• generate walk summaries.

Precise location may be required for accurate walk recording and street-credit calculations. You can control location permissions at any time in iOS Settings.

Background Location

I'm Walkin' Here! may request background location permission so an active recorded walk can continue if you lock your phone or switch to another app mid-walk.

Background location is used only during an active recorded walk. Tracking starts only after you tap Start. Tracking stops when you pause or end the walk. The app does not use background location to track you when you are not recording a walk.

If you do not allow background location, walk recording may be limited if your phone is locked or you switch apps during a walk. You can change this permission at any time in iOS Settings.

Walk and Route Data

When you record a walk, I'm Walkin' Here! may collect or generate walk session data including:

• route coordinates and GPS points;
• timestamps;
• distance;
• duration;
• matched Manhattan street segments;
• newly explored streets;
• explored segment IDs;
• updated exploration percentages;
• neighborhood progress; and
• walk summaries and processing metadata.

This information is used to provide the app's core walk recording and progress tracking features.

Manhattan Street and Neighborhood Progress

I'm Walkin' Here! tracks your progress across eligible Manhattan street segments and neighborhoods. This includes total streets explored, percentage of Manhattan explored, neighborhood-specific progress, rank titles, and related progress summaries.

Account and Authentication Data

You may use I'm Walkin' Here! as a guest (no account required) or sign in using a supported authentication method. If you create or use an account, we may collect or receive:

• your Firebase user ID or other account identifier;
• display name;
• email address, if provided via Apple, Google, or email sign-in;
• authentication provider (Apple, Google, or email link);
• account creation or sign-in metadata; and
• account settings or profile metadata.

Authentication is handled through third-party services including Firebase Authentication, Sign in with Apple, and Google Sign-In.

Guest Mode / Local Use

I'm Walkin' Here! can be used as a guest without creating an account. In guest mode, your progress and walk data are stored locally on your device only — nothing is sent to external servers.

If you later create an account, locally accumulated guest progress may be transferred to your new account. Deleting the app may delete locally stored data that has not been synced to an account.

Leaderboards and Friends

I'm Walkin' Here! may include leaderboard and friend features. If you use these features, certain information may be visible to other users — such as your display name, rank, exploration percentage, streets explored, and friend status.

Do not use a display name that includes sensitive personal information if you do not want it visible to others.

Device and App Information

I'm Walkin' Here! may process limited technical information needed to operate, secure, recover, debug, or improve the app. This may include app version, sync status, local session recovery data, local caches, and certain error or state information needed to keep the app running correctly.

The app does not include a third-party advertising SDK or cross-app tracking SDK.

Notifications

I'm Walkin' Here! may offer optional notifications or reminders related to walk activity. If you enable notifications, they are used to deliver app-related alerts only. You can control notification permissions at any time in iOS Settings.

How We Use Information

We use information to:

• provide map, walk recording, and exploration tracking features;
• calculate street, neighborhood, and Manhattan-wide progress;
• display ranks and leaderboard standings;
• support account creation, sign-in, syncing, and account deletion;
• maintain app security and prevent misuse;
• troubleshoot, debug, and improve the app;
• respond to support or privacy requests; and
• comply with legal obligations.

How We Store Information

Information may be stored locally on your device. For signed-in users, data may also be synced to cloud services including Firebase and Firebase Firestore.

Local storage may include:

• guest and local exploration progress;
• cached explored street data;
• active walk session recovery data; and
• saved walk history.

Cloud-stored data (signed-in users only) may include:

• account and profile information;
• explored street progress;
• leaderboard and friend data; and
• walk session records and related summaries.

When Information Is Shared

We do not sell personal data.

We do not use your data for third-party advertising or cross-app tracking.

We may share information in limited circumstances:

• with service providers that help operate the app, such as Firebase;
• with other users when you use social, friend, or leaderboard features;
• if required by law, legal process, or safety or security needs;
• to protect the rights, property, or safety of the app, users, or others; or
• with your consent.

Third-Party Services

I'm Walkin' Here! relies on the following third-party services:

• Firebase Authentication (Google LLC);
• Firebase Firestore (Google LLC);
• Google Sign-In;
• Sign in with Apple / Apple AuthenticationServices; and
• Apple MapKit and other Apple system services.

These services process information according to their own privacy policies and terms. We encourage you to review those policies if you have questions about how they handle your data.

Data Retention

We keep information for as long as needed to provide the app, maintain accounts, support syncing and leaderboard features, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

Guest and local data remains on your device until you delete it, reset your progress, or uninstall the app. Synced account data may remain until you delete your account or request deletion, subject to legal, security, backup, or operational retention needs.

Account Deletion

If you create an account, you can initiate deletion inside the app at Settings → Account settings → Delete account.

Account deletion removes your account and associated personal data from active systems where reasonably possible, including Firebase Authentication and associated Firestore data. Some information may be retained where required or permitted for legal, security, fraud-prevention, backup, or operational reasons.

If you need help with deletion, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section below.

Your Choices and Controls

You can:

• grant or deny location permissions in iOS Settings;
• change location permissions at any time in iOS Settings;
• pause or end active walk recording;
• use the app in guest mode — no account required;
• sign out of your account;
• delete your account in Settings;
• reset local progress if the option is available in the app;
• control notification permissions in iOS Settings; and
• contact us with privacy questions or requests.

Children's Privacy

I'm Walkin' Here! is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted personal information through the app, please contact us and we will take appropriate action.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure.

International Users

If you use I'm Walkin' Here! outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate. By using the app, you understand that your information may be processed in those locations.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, the updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice where appropriate.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your account data, or need help with account or data deletion, please reach out: