Privacy policy

Last Updated: November 3, 2026

Overview

StraySync helps you locate and track stray animals in your area. We take your privacy seriously and only collect data necessary to provide our service.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Account Information: Email address and name (from Google/Apple sign-in)
• Animal Sightings: Photos, locations, descriptions of stray animals you report
• Profile Data: Display name and profile picture (optional)

Automatically Collected

• Location Data: Your current location when reporting animal sightings or browsing nearby animals
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version for bug fixes and improvements
• Usage Data: Features you use and how you interact with the app

How We Use Your Information

• Animal Tracking: Display reported animals on the map for the community
• Notifications: Alert you when a possible match for your lost pet is reported, and — only if you turn on Nearby alerts — when a stray or lost pet is reported near your approximate area
• Account Management: Authenticate you and maintain your profile
• Support: Respond to your questions and provide customer service
• Improvements: Analyze usage to improve app features and performance

Data Storage and Security

• Your data is stored securely on Supabase servers (SOC 2 Type II certified)
• Photos are stored in encrypted cloud storage
• Authentication uses industry-standard OAuth 2.0 protocols
• We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information

Your Location Data

• When We Collect: Only while you are using the app. StraySync does not track your location in the background.
• Why: To show you nearby animals and pin locations when reporting sightings
• Control: You can disable location access anytime in your device settings
• Retention: Location coordinates are stored with animal sightings for 14 days, then automatically deleted

Nearby Alerts (optional)

Nearby alerts are off until you turn them on in Settings. When they are on:

• When you open the app, we save your approximate area, rounded to about 1 km, together with the alert radius you chose. Your exact location is never stored for this feature.
• We use it only to send you a notification when a stray or lost pet is reported within your radius. Other users never see your area.
• We keep a record of which alerts were sent to you for up to 30 days, so you don't get the same alert twice.
• Turning Nearby alerts off stops all alerts, and signing out removes your saved area from our servers. Deleting your account deletes your saved area and alert history.

Data Sharing

We DO NOT:

• Sell your personal information
• Share your data with advertisers
• Use your photos for any purpose other than displaying animal sightings

We MAY share data:

• When required by law or legal process
• To protect the rights and safety of users and animals
• With service providers (Supabase, cloud storage) who help operate the app

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: View all data we have about you
• Correction: Update your profile information
• Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data
• Export: Request a copy of your data
• Opt-Out: Turn off Nearby alerts in Settings, or disable notifications and location access in your device settings

To exercise these rights, go to Settings → Delete Account or contact us.

Children's Privacy

StraySync is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we discover we have collected such information, we will delete it immediately.

In-App Purchases

• Supporter tips are processed through Apple's App Store and support the app's development
• We do not store your payment information
• To grant supporter status we verify the purchase with Apple and keep a record of the product and transaction ID with your account

Data Retention

• Animal Sightings: Automatically deleted after 14 days
• Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
• Nearby alert area: Kept while Nearby alerts are on; removed when you sign out or delete your account. Alert history is deleted after 30 days.
• Photos: Deleted when associated sighting is removed or you delete your account

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or via email. Continued use after changes means you accept the updated policy.

Contact Us

Questions about this privacy policy? Contact us at:

Email: support@straysync.com

Address: [Your business address if required for App Store]

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the CCPA:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of sale of personal information (we don't sell data)

To exercise these rights, email support@straysync.com

International Users

If you're outside the United States, please note:

• Your data may be transferred to and stored in the United States
• By using StraySync, you consent to this transfer
• We comply with applicable data protection laws

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StraySync is committed to protecting your privacy while helping stray animals find safety.