1. Scope
This Privacy Policy explains how Brandon Hatch, doing business as DateCompass ("DateCompass," "we," or "us"), handles information when you use the DateCompass mobile app, its account and support services, and related features. Features available to you depend on the app version and what you choose to use.
2. Local-first use and optional registration
You can browse date ideas, use curated Date Coach guidance, save Favorites and Bucket List items, plan dates, and use manual or permitted foreground-location features without creating an email/password account. DateCompass stores those activities and preferences on your device first. Registration is optional.
When Firebase is available, the app automatically creates an anonymous cloud identity. This is a Firebase Authentication identifier, not an email/password account that you create. The anonymous identity allows account-linked date-idea and feedback/activity-report submissions. If you choose to register or sign in with email and password, your account can back up and synchronize eligible saved data across devices and can submit a provider profile. A successful registration may link your existing anonymous identity to the registered account.
3. Information we process
Information stored on your device. This may include Favorites, Bucket List items, My Dates and plans, checklist state, custom lists and venues, reminder and notification preferences, notification history, planning-area choices, recent areas, and privacy preferences. Some categories can also be backed up to your private cloud account if you register. Device-only information remains on the device unless you separately choose a feature that sends it elsewhere.
Authentication and private account data. Firebase Authentication creates an anonymous user ID when available. If you register, it also processes your email address and sign-in credentials. Firebase Firestore stores eligible synchronized data under your user ID, such as saved items, plans, custom collections, and certain preferences. DateCompass uses account and operational records needed to provide synchronization, control submissions, and prevent abuse. We do not receive your plaintext password.
Date ideas submitted for possible publication. When you use Share a Date Idea, we receive the idea's name, description, setting, estimated cost category, intended date types, and why you recommend it. The submission is linked to your anonymous or registered user ID, assigned an internal submission ID, and kept for review. Submission limits are recorded under that user ID. An idea is not automatically published.
Provider profiles submitted for possible publication. The in-app provider-profile form requires a registered account. It collects business and contact names, contact email, venue name and address, website if supplied, proposed category, offer description, expiration, terms, and confirmation that the submitter is authorized. The submission is linked to the account and held for review; it is not automatically published.
Private feedback and activity reports. When you submit feedback or Report This Activity, we receive your category and message, and relevant activity ID or title when provided. The form may also send a rating, app version and build number, and a contact email only if you choose to provide it for follow-up. The submission is linked to your anonymous or registered user ID and receives a server timestamp and internal ID. A per-user daily usage record limits submissions. These private reports are not date ideas or provider listings submitted for publication. Please do not include passwords, payment credentials, exact location, another person's private information, or unrelated sensitive information in your message.
Location. You can enter a planning area manually. If you choose Use current location, the app requests foreground location permission and uses your device location for that feature. Precise access is not required for planning, and DateCompass does not request background location or maintain continuous location history. Location-assisted features or external providers you choose may receive a selected or approximate planning area as needed to answer your request.
Calendar and notifications. If you choose Add to Calendar, the app passes the selected plan details to the device's native calendar flow, subject to the device's permission controls. DateCompass does not upload a calendar event merely because you use that control. Local reminders may request notification permission and are scheduled on the device.
Paid features. Paid subscriptions are not enabled in the current production version. DateCompass does not receive payment-card details through the current app.
4. Service providers
Firebase provides Authentication, Firestore private account and submission storage, callable Functions for submissions and account deletion, and optional Firebase Analytics as described below. Apple and other app-distribution platforms handle distribution and platform permissions under their own policies. Support email is handled by the applicable email service. The current production version does not enable crash reporting, external weather requests, cloud Date Coach, Firebase Storage, or paid subscriptions. If DateCompass enables additional providers or processing in a future version, this policy will be updated as appropriate.
5. How we use information
We use information to provide discovery, planning, saving, reminders, and requested location-assisted features; authenticate anonymous and registered users; back up eligible data for registered users; receive and review date ideas and provider profiles; respond to private feedback, activity reports, and support requests; enforce submission limits; maintain security; and diagnose failures.
Product analytics is disabled by default. If you turn on Product analytics in Privacy controls, Firebase Analytics collects app-interaction information, an app-instance or device identifier (not an advertising identifier), and related device and application information to help DateCompass understand feature use and improve the app. DateCompass does not use this information for third-party advertising or cross-app tracking, and does not associate Analytics with your account identity. You can turn Product analytics off again in Privacy controls.
6. Sharing and sale
DateCompass does not sell personal information or use private planning content for third-party advertising. We share information with service providers as needed to operate the features described here, respond to lawful requests, protect users or the service, or carry out a legitimate business transaction subject to applicable law. Approved date ideas or provider listings may be published or promoted as described in the Terms of Use. Private feedback and activity reports are not published as submitted content.
7. Retention
Local information generally remains on your device until you delete it through app or device controls, subject to platform backup behavior. Account-linked cloud data remains while needed to provide the service or until you delete it, subject to applicable legal, security, dispute-resolution, and backup needs. Submission usage records are associated with the account-linked cloud identity. Limited service-provider logs and backups may persist for their applicable retention periods and may not be removed from every copy immediately. We do not promise a fixed deletion period where the current systems do not establish one.
8. Your controls and deletion
Both anonymously authenticated guests and registered users can use Account → Privacy controls to delete their account-linked cloud data in the app. A guest sees Delete cloud data and anonymous identity; a registered user sees Delete account and cloud data. The deletion service removes the Firebase Authentication identity, its user-owned Firestore document and subcollections (including production feedback and usage-limit records), and date-idea and provider-profile submissions owned by that identity. If the app later initializes again with Firebase available, it may create a new anonymous identity. Cloud deletion does not clear data stored only on your device. Use Account → Export and delete local data separately for device data. See the Data Deletion page or email northstarapp.support@gmail.com for help.
9. Minimum age
DateCompass is intended for people age 16 and older. If you are 16 or 17, obtain a parent or guardian's permission where applicable before using DateCompass. Do not use the app if you are under 16.
10. Security
We use safeguards appropriate to the service, including authentication, access controls, input validation, submission limits, and security testing. No system can guarantee absolute security.
11. Your rights
Privacy rights vary by jurisdiction. If applicable law gives you rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, object to, or obtain a copy of personal information, contact DateCompass Support. We may need to verify a request before acting on account-linked information.
12. Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy as the service changes. Material updates may be communicated through the app or this page.
13. Contact
Operator: Brandon Hatch, doing business as DateCompass, Utah, United States.
Public business mailing address: 934 South Main St., Layton Utah 84041.
Privacy questions: northstarapp.support@gmail.com.