# Privacy Policy — GPS Family Circle
**Effective date:** May 21, 2026
**Last updated:** May 21, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Tranquil Studio ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you use the GPS Family Circle** mobile application for iOS (bundle ID `com.tranquil.gps.circle`) ("the App").
GPS Family Circle is a location-sharing app that lets families and trusted groups see each other's real-time location on a map, set up safe zones, and send emergency (SOS) alerts.
By creating an account and using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
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## 1. Who This Policy Applies To
The App is intended for users **13 years of age and older**. The App is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly create accounts for them.
Accounts are registered and managed by adults. A child may appear in a Circle only when an adult adds the child's device and the child (or their parent/guardian) consents to location sharing. See **Section 10 — Children's Privacy**.
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## 2. Information We Collect
We collect only the information needed to operate a location-sharing service. We do **not** sell your personal information, and we do **not** use it for advertising.
### 2.1 Account Information
- **Phone number** — used to create your account and to sign you in via a one-time SMS verification code (OTP).
- **Display name** — a name you choose to identify yourself to other members of your Circle.
- **Profile photo (avatar)** — optional; if you upload one, it is stored on our servers.
- **User ID** — a unique identifier generated by our authentication provider for your account.
### 2.2 Location Information
When you grant location permission, the App collects and shares the following with members of your Circle:
- **Precise GPS location** — your latitude and longitude.
- **Movement speed** — derived from GPS.
- **Activity status** — a basic classification such as "Staying", "Walking", or "Driving".
- **Timestamps** — when each location update occurred ("last seen" time).
**Background location:** With your permission ("Always Allow"), the App collects location updates **even while it is closed or not in use**, so your Circle can see your location continuously. This is a core function of a family safety app. You can change or revoke this permission at any time in **iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services**.
### 2.3 Device & Status Information
- **Battery level and charging status** — shown to your Circle and used to send low-battery alerts.
- **Push notification token** — a token from Apple/Firebase used to deliver notifications to your device.
### 2.4 Circle (Group) Information
- The Circles you create or join, including the Circle name and 6-character invite code.
- The list of members in your Circles and their display names.
### 2.5 Safety Event Information
- **SOS alerts** you trigger or receive (time and sender).
- **Safe zone (geofence) events** — entry/exit events for zones you create, such as "Home", "School", or "Work", including the zone name, location, radius, and time.
- **Pings / emoji check-ins** sent between members.
- **Low-battery alerts**.
### 2.6 Settings Stored on Your Device
The following are stored locally on your device (not on our servers): your **privacy mode** preference, language preference, cached notification token, and session state.
### 2.7 Information We Do NOT Collect
- We do **not** collect analytics or usage-tracking data — Firebase Analytics is disabled in the App.
- We do **not** display advertisements or use advertising trackers.
- We do **not** access your contacts, photo library (other than a photo you explicitly pick for your avatar), microphone, or camera.
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## 3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Create and secure your account and sign you in.
- Show your real-time location, speed, activity, and battery status to members of your Circle.
- Let you create and join Circles and manage members.
- Operate safe zones (geofencing) and notify members of entry/exit events.
- Deliver SOS emergency alerts, pings, and low-battery alerts.
- Send push notifications related to the features above.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve the reliability and security of the App.
- Comply with legal obligations.
We do **not** use your information for advertising, profiling, or sale to third parties.
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## 4. Privacy Controls
You control how your location is shared. The App offers three privacy modes:
- **Exact** — your real-time precise location is shared with your Circle.
- **Blurred** — your location is shared at reduced precision (approximately 1 km), so members see a general area rather than an exact point.
- **Frozen** — location updates stop entirely; members see only your last known location.
You can also:
- Leave any Circle at any time, which stops sharing your location with that Circle's members.
- Revoke location, notification, or other permissions in iOS Settings.
- Log out of the App.
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## 5. How Your Information Is Shared
### 5.1 With Members of Your Circle
Your location, speed, activity, battery status, display name, and avatar are visible to the other members of any Circle you join. This is the core purpose of the App. Anyone with your Circle's 6-character invite code can join that Circle, so share invite codes only with people you trust.
### 5.2 With Service Providers
We use **Google Firebase** (Google LLC) as our backend infrastructure to operate the App. Firebase processes and stores data on our behalf, including:
- **Firebase Authentication** — phone-number sign-in and verification.
- **Cloud Firestore** — storage and real-time syncing of profiles, locations, Circles, safe zones, and safety events.
- **Firebase Storage** — storage of avatar images.
- **Firebase Cloud Functions** — server-side processing for notifications and events.
- **Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)** — delivery of push notifications.
Firebase's handling of data is governed by Google's Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy and https://policies.google.com/privacy
We also rely on **Apple Push Notification service (APNs)** to deliver notifications and on your mobile carrier to deliver the SMS verification code.
### 5.3 For Legal Reasons
We may disclose information if required to do so by law, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, protect the rights or safety of any person, or investigate fraud or security issues.
### 5.4 We Do Not Sell Your Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
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## 6. Data Storage, Location, and Security
- Your data is stored on Google Firebase's secured cloud infrastructure.
- Data is encrypted **in transit** using industry-standard TLS/HTTPS, and encrypted **at rest** by Firebase.
- Access to data is restricted by authentication and security rules so that, in general, only members of your Circle can read your shared information.
No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we work to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
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## 7. Data Retention
We retain your account and location information for as long as your account remains active so the App can function.
- Logging out ends your session on the device but does not delete your account data.
- Leaving a Circle removes you from that Circle's member list.
- When you request account deletion (see Section 8), we delete your profile, avatar, and associated data, subject to any retention required by law.
Real-time location data is continually overwritten by newer updates during normal use.
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## 8. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal information.
### 8.1 In-App Controls
- Update your display name and avatar at any time.
- Change your privacy mode (Exact / Blurred / Frozen).
- Leave a Circle.
- Revoke location and notification permissions in iOS Settings.
- Log out.
### 8.2 Account and Data Deletion
To request deletion of your account and all associated personal data, contact us at **contact@tranquilmind.co**. We will process your request within a reasonable time and confirm when it is complete.
> **Note for the developer:** Apple App Store Review Guideline 5.1.1(v) requires apps that support account creation to also offer **in-app account deletion**. Add an in-app "Delete Account" option before submitting to the App Store, and update this section to describe it.
### 8.3 How to Reach Us
To exercise any privacy right, email **contact@tranquilmind.co**. We may need to verify your identity (for example, via the phone number on your account) before acting on a request.
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## 9. International Users
The App is operated using Google Firebase infrastructure, and your information may be processed and stored on servers located outside your country of residence, including in jurisdictions that may have different data-protection laws. By using the App, you consent to this processing.
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## 10. Children's Privacy
The App is intended for users **13 and older**, and accounts are created and managed by adults.
We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 as account holders. If a child's device is added to a Circle, it is done by an adult who is responsible for obtaining the child's (and, where applicable, parent or guardian) consent to share location.
If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information without appropriate consent, contact us at **contact@tranquilmind.co** and we will delete it.
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## 11. Permissions Summary
| Permission | Why the App needs it |
|---|---|
| **Location — While Using the App** | Show you on the map and share your location with your Circle. |
| **Location — Always (Background)** | Continuously update your location for your Circle even when the App is closed; required for safe zones and SOS. |
| **Notifications** | Deliver SOS alerts, safe-zone events, pings, and low-battery alerts. |
All permissions are optional and can be changed at any time in iOS Settings. Disabling location, however, will prevent the App's core features from working.
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## 12. Third-Party Components
The App includes the following third-party software libraries. These run on your device and do **not** collect or transmit your personal information for their own purposes:
- **Kingfisher** — image loading and caching (used to display avatars).
- **Lottie** — UI animations.
The App also uses Apple **StoreKit** solely to display the standard in-app rating prompt. The App contains **no in-app purchases, subscriptions, or payment processing**.
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## 13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, notify you within the App. Your continued use of the App after an update means you accept the revised policy.
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## 14. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us:
- **Developer:** Tranquil Studio
- **Email:** contact@tranquilmind.co
- **App:** GPS Family Circle (iOS — `com.tranquil.gps.circle`)