SpotterCast Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 30, 2026

SpotterCast ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your information when you use our app.

Information We Collect

We collect the following information to provide weather forecasts and AI-powered features:

• Location Data: Precise and approximate location (latitude/longitude) to deliver accurate local weather, forecasts, radar, and alerts. This is collected when the app is in use and, with your permission, via low-power Significant Location Changes for optional background weather refresh. Location is used for app functionality, not for advertising or cross-app tracking.
• Device ID & Product Interaction: An anonymous device identifier and in-app interaction events (for example, which tabs you open, paywall views, and share actions) so we can understand product usage and improve SpotterCast. This is processed by PostHog. We do not use session replay or screen/element capture.
• Weather Queries & Context: When you use AI features, we send relevant weather data (current conditions, forecast) along with your question to our AI service provider to generate helpful responses. Sky photos you choose to analyze may also be sent for Storm Spotter analysis.

How We Use Your Information

• To provide real-time weather forecasts, radar, alerts, and location-based features.
• To power AI weather insights (weather context and optional photos are shared only when you actively use AI features).
• To analyze anonymous product usage (analytics) and improve the app.

Information We Share

We share information with the following third parties:

• AI service provider (xAI): Your weather context, prompts, and optional sky photos are sent when you use AI features.
• Apple: We use device location services (for local forecasts and optional background refresh) and may reference public NWS station data.
• Weather data providers: Open-Meteo and the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) for forecasts, radar, and alerts.
• PostHog: Anonymous product analytics (device ID and product interaction events). Not used for advertising or tracking you across other companies’ apps or websites.

We do not sell your personal information.

Data Retention

Location data is used in real-time and is not stored on our servers. Analytics events are retained by PostHog according to that service’s retention settings. Weather context and prompts sent for AI features are processed to generate responses and are subject to the AI provider's data practices.

Your Choices

• You can disable location access at any time in your device Settings.
• You can turn off Background Weather Updates in the app Settings.
• You can turn off Share analytics in SpotterCast Settings to stop sending product analytics events.
• You can stop using AI features if you do not want weather context shared with the AI provider.

Children’s Privacy

Our app is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated policy on this page with a new "Last updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please visit our Support page or open an issue on GitHub.

This policy is also available at: https://scubasteve1999.github.io/SpotterCast/privacy