Privacy Policy

PlaceFinder helps you discover places on a map, save places and collections, write reviews, check in, follow other users, and plan trips with friends.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have when you use:

• the PlaceFinder mobile application; and
• related services such as deep links and share previews on placefinder.io.

2.1 Account and profile information

Depending on how you sign up, we may collect:

We store session credentials securely on your device (Keychain / secure storage) so you can stay signed in.

2.2 Location

If you grant location permission, we use your device’s GPS to:

• show your position on the map;
• recenter the map; and
• support nearby / discovery features that depend on your current area.

We do not share your exact live location with other PlaceFinder users. Other people may see approximate profile location information you choose to display (for example a city-style label), not continuous GPS tracking of you.

You can change location permission in your device Settings. PlaceFinder also surfaces location status under in-app Privacy settings.

2.3 Places, saved content, and social activity

When you use the app we process content you create or choose, including:

• saved places and collections;
• place reviews (text, rating, optional photos, visit date if provided);
• check-ins;
• trips (stops, days, status, invites);
• follows / followers and follow suggestions;
• search queries and search history (search history is stored on your device and can be cleared in Privacy settings);
• interests / category preferences chosen during onboarding (used as default map categories);
• profile stats derived from your activity (for example trips, saved places, provinces visited).

2.4 Contacts (optional)

If you invite people to a trip and grant contacts permission, we may read contacts on your device so you can pick people to invite. Contact access is used for that invite flow; we do not sell your address book.

2.5 Camera and photos (optional)

With permission, you may use the camera or photo library for features such as:

• profile avatar upload;
• review photos;
• scanning trip-invite QR codes.

2.6 Notifications and device tokens

If you allow notifications, we may collect a push token (for example via Firebase Cloud Messaging) and store it with your profile so we can send:

• in-app / push notifications (for example friend activity such as a friend saving a place);
• related product notifications you have allowed.

We may also schedule local reminders on your device (for example a weekly digest). Notification preferences may be limited by OS settings; some in-app toggles may not fully disable delivery until wired or changed on the device.

2.7 Device and technical data

To operate the service we may process:

• app version, device OS, and basic diagnostics needed to run the app;
• offline map region downloads and related progress (Mapbox offline);
• local caches (for example SQLite / on-device storage) for offline or performance use;
• deep-link parameters when you open PlaceFinder links (placefinder:// or accepted legacy schemes).

2.8 Information from third-party services

We use third parties to provide core functionality. They may process data on our behalf or as independent controllers under their own policies, including:

Place data shown in the app (names, ratings, photos, phone, website, etc.) often comes from third-party place providers through our backend—not from other users’ GPS.

We use information to:

• create and secure your account;
• provide map, search, save, collection, trip, review, check-in, and social features;
• personalize defaults (for example onboarding interests);
• send OTP codes and transactional messages needed for login;
• send push / in-app notifications you allow;
• share content you choose to share (place, collection, trip invite, profile);
• improve reliability, prevent abuse, and comply with law;
• respond to support requests.

We do not sell your personal information.

We share information only as needed to run PlaceFinder:

• With other users, when you make something public or share it (for example public profile, public collections, reviews, follow relationships, trip invitations you send).
• With service providers listed above that host or process data for us.
• With you, when you export or share links / QR codes / invites yourself.
• For legal reasons, if required by law or to protect rights, safety, or the service.

Exact GPS location is not a social feed item shared with other users.

• Account and cloud data are stored with our backend providers (primarily Supabase).
• Session secrets are stored in the device secure storage (Keychain / equivalent).
• Some data stays on-device (search history, language, units, onboarding flags, offline caches).

We retain account data while your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete or de-identify associated personal data from our systems subject to backups, legal obligations, and residual copies that may take time to purge. On-device data is removed when you uninstall the app or clear it yourself (for example clearing search history).

We use industry-standard safeguards appropriate to a consumer mobile app, but no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict certain processing of your personal data.

In PlaceFinder you can typically:

• edit your profile;
• change password (email accounts);
• manage follows and content you created;
• clear on-device search history (Settings → Privacy);
• manage location and notification permissions in device Settings;
• sign out;
• delete your account in Settings.

To exercise a privacy request, contact hello.placefinder@gmail.com. We may need to verify your identity.

PlaceFinder is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). Do not create an account if you are under that age. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact hello.placefinder@gmail.com and we will take appropriate steps.

Our providers may process data in countries other than where you live. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards offered by those providers and applicable law.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version at https://placefinder.io/privacy and change the “Last updated” date. Continued use of PlaceFinder after changes means you accept the updated policy, except where additional consent is required by law.

• Privacy questions: hello.placefinder@gmail.com
• Support: hello.placefinder@gmail.com
• Website: https://placefinder.io
• Operator: Mr. Samnang Chhuon · Address: Phnom Penh, Cambodia