Privacy
Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 2026
Overview
Sparrow ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your choices regarding that data. It applies to the Sparrow website, iOS app, and Android app.
Information We Collect
We collect information you provide directly — such as your email address, display name, and any hunt content you create. We also collect information automatically when you use the Service: device identifiers, IP address, location data (for GPS waypoint proximity, with your permission), session logs, and usage events. If you sign in via a social provider, we receive limited profile data from that provider per its own privacy policy.
Location Data
Location is central to the Service. On mobile, we request foreground location permission to display your proximity to waypoints and confirm check-ins. We do not collect background location. Location readings are used only to evaluate waypoint proximity and are not stored beyond the duration of an active hunt session.
How We Use Your Data
We use your data to: provide and operate the Service; authenticate you and protect your account; deliver hunt content and leaderboard updates; send transactional emails (hunt invites, check-in confirmations); diagnose and fix bugs; and understand aggregate usage patterns to improve the platform. We do not sell your personal data.
Sharing of Information
We share data with: infrastructure providers (hosting, database, object storage) under data-processing agreements; authentication providers (email OTP, social sign-in) strictly as needed for login; and analytics services using aggregated, anonymized signals. We may disclose data if required by law or to protect the safety and rights of our users.
Hunt Content and Players
When you play a hunt, the hunt organizer can see aggregate completion data and leaderboard standings. Organizers do not receive your location history. If you submit a photo check-in, that photo is visible to the organizer. Your display name appears on leaderboards visible to other players in the same hunt.
Cookies and Tracking
We use session cookies for authentication and preference storage. We do not use third-party advertising cookies. We may use a first-party analytics tool that stores a pseudonymous identifier in localStorage to measure feature usage without building individual profiles.
Data Retention
We retain your account data while your account is active and for a reasonable period after deletion to comply with legal obligations. Hunt session data is retained for 90 days after a hunt ends, after which it is aggregated and the per-user records deleted. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time.
Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your personal data, or to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@sparrow.app. We will respond within 30 days.
Children's Privacy
The Service is intended for users 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Security
We use industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including TLS in transit and encryption at rest for sensitive fields. No system is perfectly secure; please use a strong, unique password and report any suspected security issues to security@sparrow.app.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will indicate the revision date above and notify you of material changes by email or in-app notice before they take effect.
Contact
Questions or requests regarding your data? Email us at privacy@sparrow.app.