Privacy Policy

QuakeWatch (“QuakeWatch,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides an iOS application that delivers earthquake alerts, location monitoring, and related safety information (the “App”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices available to you. By downloading or using the App, you agree to the practices described here.

We collect the following categories of information:

• Location data. With your permission, we collect precise or approximate location data to determine which earthquake alerts are relevant to you and to power features like monitored locations and live widgets. You can disable location access at any time in iOS Settings, though this will limit core functionality.
• Account information. If you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and any locations or contacts you choose to save.
• Family & friends circle data. If you link with another user, we process the minimum location and status information (such as an “I’m safe” acknowledgment) necessary to share relevant alerts within your private circle. This information is never made public and is visible only to members you explicitly add.
• Device and usage data. We collect standard technical data such as device type, operating system version, app version, crash logs, and general usage analytics to maintain and improve the App.
• Support communications. When you contact support through the App or our website, we collect your name, email address, subject, message, and, where applicable, your account identifier, in order to respond to your request.

• To detect and deliver relevant earthquake alerts and notifications.
• To operate monitored locations, live widgets, and family/friends alert features.
• To maintain, secure, debug, and improve the App.
• To respond to support requests and communicate with you about your account.
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your precise location data for third-party advertising purposes.

We share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• With your family/friends circle, limited to the location and status information you choose to share with people you explicitly connect with.
• With service providers who help us operate the App, such as cloud hosting, push notification delivery, crash reporting, and customer support tooling, under contractual confidentiality and data protection obligations.
• With seismic data providers and public agencies whose earthquake data feeds we aggregate to power alerts; we do not share your personal data with these sources.
• For legal reasons, if required to comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of QuakeWatch, our users, or others.
• In a business transfer, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to standard confidentiality protections.

• Location permissions. You can grant, restrict, or revoke location access at any time in iOS Settings.
• Notifications. You can customize or disable alert types and thresholds within the App, or disable push notifications entirely in iOS Settings.
• Family & friends circle. You can remove a connection at any time, which immediately stops further location or status sharing between you and that contact.
• Account data. You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data through our support form. Depending on your region, you may have additional rights under laws such as the GDPR or CCPA/CPRA.

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the App’s features. If you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable period, except where retention is required for legal, security, or legitimate business purposes.

We use industry-standard technical and organizational measures, including encryption in transit, to protect your information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

The App is not directed to children under 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your region), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

QuakeWatch aggregates and processes seismic data to provide alerts, but this Privacy Policy — and the App itself — does not change the informational nature of that data. See our Terms of Use for important limitations regarding earthquake alerts and warnings.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by other reasonable means before the changes take effect. The “Last updated” date above reflects the most recent revision.

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data can be sent through our support form.