Privacy Policy
FollowMyCircle is a group navigation and location-sharing app. This policy explains what information the app collects, how it is used, and the controls available to you.
Information We Collect
- Account information: account identifier, name, email address, authentication provider, and age classification or birthdate information used to apply adult or minor protections. A birthdate is encrypted in our systems.
- Profile and circle information: display name, avatar choices, circle membership, roles, invites, sharing settings, pings, chat messages, saved places, and planned routes.
- Location information: precise and approximate location when you choose to share location, start a Group Drive, use navigation, drop a ping, or enable a family always-on sharing mode.
- Photos you choose: avatar or circle images you select or capture in the app.
- Device and service data: limited technical data needed to operate authentication, push notifications, routing, maps, sync, security, and diagnostics.
- Safety and moderation information: blocks, abuse reports, the reported content snapshot, and records needed to investigate misuse and enforce our rules.
How We Use Information
- To authenticate your account and sync your circles.
- To show approved circle members where you are only while your sharing mode is active.
- To provide turn-by-turn navigation, Group Drive route sharing, ETAs, pings, and safety features.
- To operate push notifications, invitation links, abuse prevention, troubleshooting, and account support.
Location Sharing Controls
Location sharing is off until you choose a sharing mode for a specific circle. You can stop sharing from the sharing controls, leave a circle, block another member, or change iOS Location permission in Settings. Background location is used only for a mode you start that needs it, such as Group Drive, share-until-arrival, or family always-on sharing. The app explains this before requesting Always location access.
Optional Activity History
Activity history is off by default for adults. If you enable it for a circle, shared route points and stops are retained for the period shown in the app, currently 7 or 30 days. Circle members who are permitted to see your location may view that history; access to older days may require Premium. Turning history off permanently deletes the saved history for that circle. For minor accounts, a linked parent or guardian controls whether history is off or retained for 7 or 30 days.
Third-Party Services
FollowMyCircle uses service providers to run app functionality, including Apple services for Sign in with Apple, push notifications, App Store distribution, MapKit, Look Around, and WeatherKit; Google for optional Google Sign-In; Cloudflare for backend hosting, API, database, and media services; and Mapbox for maps, route calculation, and navigation guidance. These providers process information only as needed to provide the app features.
No Tracking or Sale
We do not sell personal information. We do not use your location, account data, or circle activity for third-party advertising or cross-app tracking.
Retention
Account, circle, route, chat, and profile information is kept while your account or circle needs it. Live location is updated during active sharing and is removed when sharing stops or expires. Optional activity history follows the 7- or 30-day period selected in the app. Open abuse reports and limited security records may be retained as needed to investigate misuse, meet legal obligations, prevent repeated abuse, or provide support.
Children and Families
FollowMyCircle may be used by families. Accounts classified as minors must link an adult parent or guardian before setup is complete. The guardian controls the minor's allowed location audience, background location, messaging, circle-join, and activity-history policies. Minor protections fail closed until setup is complete. A minor can always stop their own location sharing.
Safety, Reporting, and Blocking
You can block a circle member and report a member or message from inside the app. Blocking prevents the two accounts from viewing each other's location or exchanging visible messages. Reports are reviewed for safety and policy enforcement. Do not use FollowMyCircle to track, threaten, harass, or monitor anyone without consent and legal authority.
Your Choices
You can stop sharing location, turn off and erase activity history, revoke iOS permissions, delete saved places, leave circles, block members, or permanently delete your account and associated data from Edit Account inside the app. You may also contact us for help. Some features may stop working if required permissions are disabled.
Contact
For privacy questions or deletion requests, contact support@followmycircle.com.