Privacy Policy
Effective date: October 11, 2026
This policy explains how the ExploreStamp ("we") iOS/Android app and the website www.explorestamp.com handle your data.
1. Summary
- The app works without signing in by default. We do not collect your name, email address, phone number or other personal information.
- Check-ins, photos and notes are stored on your device and are not uploaded to our servers or to any third party's servers.
- Your location is used only when you tap "Check in" or open the map. The app does not track your location in the background.
2. Data the app stores on your device
| Data | Purpose | Where it is stored |
|---|---|---|
| Check-ins (place, time, your coordinates and distance at check-in) | Stamp book, collection progress, calendar | Local database on your device |
| Photos and notes you choose to add | Calendar covers, visit history, postcards | The app's own storage |
| Settings such as language, distance unit and reminder time | Personalization | On your device |
This data does not leave your device unless you choose to use "Export backup" or "Share postcard" and decide yourself who receives it or where it is saved.
3. Permissions
| Permission | Purpose | If you decline |
|---|---|---|
| Location (while using the app) | Confirm you are within a place's check-in range; show your position and distance on the map | You cannot check in, but you can still browse the map |
| Camera | Take photos when checking in | You can pick from your photo library instead, or add no photo |
| Photo library | Pick existing photos | You can use the camera instead, or add no photo |
| Notifications | Place suggestion reminders (off by default) | You won't receive reminders |
The app does not access your location in the background. Reminder notifications are scheduled locally on your device and do not go through a server.
4. The app's network connections
The app connects to the network only for the following purposes, and never includes your check-ins, photos or location in these connections:
- Catalog updates: checks api.explorestamp.com for new place data and collection cover images.
- Map tiles: downloads map images from OpenStreetMap. As with any web request, their server sees your IP address. See the OpenStreetMap Foundation Privacy Policy.
- Spot detail map: the spot detail page embeds Google Maps. Opening it loads that spot's map from Google, which sees your IP address and the spot you are viewing, but not your own location. See the Google Privacy Policy.
The app contains no advertising, analytics or tracking SDKs.
5. Website
The website uses Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to measure traffic and usage, which may collect anonymous information such as browser type, pages visited and approximate region through cookies. You can block cookies in your browser settings. Newsletter subscriptions on the website are provided by Substack, and the email address you enter when subscribing is handled under Substack's privacy policy.
6. Data sharing
We do not sell, rent or share your data. Because user data exists only on your device, we cannot access it ourselves.
7. Your choices
- In the app's Settings, you can export a backup or import a backup.
- Deleting the app also removes all local data. If you want to keep your records, export a backup first.
- You can revoke location, camera, photo library and notification permissions at any time in your system settings.
8. Children's privacy
The app collects no personal information and does not collect information from children under 13.
9. Changes to this policy
If we introduce optional features such as sign-in or cloud backup in the future, we will update this policy before they launch, explaining what data is collected and why, and you will decide whether to turn them on. Using the app without signing in will continue to work as described in this policy.
Any other updates to this policy will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
10. Contact
If you have any questions about this policy, please email us.