Nerdware · App privacy

FindCircle — Privacy Policy

Last updated: 31 May 2026

FindCircle ("the app", "we", "us") is a real-time group location-sharing app operated by Nerdware (office@nerdware.eu). This policy explains what personal data we collect, why, who it is shared with, how long we keep it, and your rights under the EU/UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Data controller: Nerdware — office@nerdware.eu

1. What data we collect

Data	Why we collect it	Legal basis (GDPR Art. 6)
Email address	Account creation, sign-in, account recovery	Contract (6(1)(b))
Display name & username	Identify you to your group members	Contract
Precise GPS location (latitude, longitude, accuracy)	Show your live position to members of your group on the radar	Consent (6(1)(a))
Battery level	Shown to your group so they know if your device may go offline	Consent
Pings & SOS alerts (message text, location for SOS)	Deliver alerts you send to your group	Contract / Consent
Device push token (APNs/FCM)	Send you notifications for pings, SOS, and meeting points	Consent
Camera (device only — no image stored or transmitted)	QR code scanning to join or create a group — processed entirely on-device	Consent (6(1)(a))
Approximate technical data (IP address, timestamps)	Security, abuse prevention, service operation (processed by our backend)	Legitimate interest (6(1)(f))

We do not sell your data, use it for advertising, or track you across other apps or websites.

2. When we collect location

Foreground: your location is collected and shared with your group only while you are an active member of a group and have granted location permission.
Background: only if you explicitly enable "Share Location in Background" in Settings. While active, an ongoing notification is shown. You can disable it at any time.
Your location is stored only as your most recent position within each group — it is overwritten on every update and is not accumulated as a location history.

3. Who can see your data

Your location, name, battery level, pings, SOS alerts, and meeting points are visible only to members of the groups you have joined.
We do not share personal data with any third party except the processors listed below, who act on our instructions.

4. Third-party processors

Processor	Purpose	Location
Appwrite (self-hosted, app.nerdware.eu)	Backend, database, authentication	EU
Apple Push Notification Service	iOS push delivery	Apple
Firebase Cloud Messaging (Google)	Android push delivery	Google
Google / Apple Sign-In	Optional social login	Google / Apple

Each processor is bound by a Data Processing Agreement and processes data only as needed to provide its service.

5. How long we keep data

Location: last-known position only; overwritten on every update.
Account data (email, name, username): until you delete your account.
Pings and SOS alerts: retained while the group exists; deleted when you delete your account.
When you delete your account we erase your profile, locations, group memberships, pings, and SOS alerts. Groups you created are transferred to another member, or deleted if you were the only member.

6. Your rights

Under GDPR you have the right to: access your data; correct it; delete it ("right to be forgotten"); restrict or object to processing; withdraw consent; and data portability. You can:

Delete your account and data in-app via Settings → Delete Account.
Withdraw location or camera consent by revoking the permission in your device settings. Background location sharing can also be disabled in-app.
Request a copy of your data by emailing office@nerdware.eu. We will respond within 30 days.

To exercise any right, contact office@nerdware.eu. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

7. Children

FindCircle is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16. Users confirm they are 16 or older at registration.

8. Security

Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS). Access to your data is restricted to members of your own groups. We apply industry-standard measures to protect against unauthorised access.

9. Changes

We may update this policy. Material changes will be notified in-app or by email. The "Last updated" date reflects the latest version.

10. Contact

Questions or requests: office@nerdware.eu.