Privacy Policy
last revised on 30 August 2024
This Privacy Policy outlines how and why personal data is processed, collected, stored, and shared when using services officially operated and provided by GeyserTimes as well as how personal data can be requested and deleted.
Processed Data
The following data is only processed locally on the user’s device and not sent off device:
| Data | Purpose | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate location (optional) | Calculation of sunrise and sunset times for scheduled dark theme | Device with permission for approximate location |
| Precise location (optional) | Suggestion of nearby geysers for geyser input | Device with permission for precise location |
Collected and Stored Data
The following data is transmitted off a user’s device and stored:
| Data | Purpose | Source | Retention Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP address | Security and fraud prevention | Device | Up to 24 hours and until next login for GeyserTimes accounts |
| Name (only with account) | Attribution and credibility of data, account management | User input | Lifetime of GeyserTimes account |
| Email address (only with account) | Communications, account management | User input | Lifetime of GeyserTimes account |
| Phone number (only with account, optional) | Verification, communications | User input | Lifetime of GeyserTimes account |
| Account name (only with account) | Unique identifier for attribution and credibility of data, account management | User input | Lifetime of GeyserTimes account |
| Timestamp of account creation (only with account) | Credibility of data | Device | Lifetime of GeyserTimes account |
| Timestamp of last login (only with account) | Security and fraud prevention | Device | Lifetime of GeyserTimes account |
| Database Content (optional) | Collection and dissemination of geyser-related data | User input | Forever |
| Timestamps of contributions (optional) | Tracking of content history | Device | Forever |
| Chat nickname (optional) | Unique identifier for attribution of chat messages | User input | Forever |
| Chat messages (optional) | Communications on webcam chat | User input | Forever |
| Crash logs (optional) | Diagnosis and fixes for bugs and crashes | Device with permission for Firebase Crashlytics | Up to 90 days |
| Diagnostics (optional) | Performance improvements | Device with permission for Google Analytics for Firebase | Forever (aggregated reporting only) |
| Page views (optional) | Prioritization of development, analytics | Device with permission for Google Analytics for Firebase | Forever (aggregated reporting only) |
| Firebase installation ID | Synchronization of data | Device using Firebase Cloud Messaging | Up to 180 days after session expiration |
Shared Data
The following data is transferred to a third party:
| Data | Purpose | Third Party |
|---|---|---|
| Name (only with account) | Attribution and credibility of data | Public (with account) |
| Phone number (only with account, optional) | SMS messaging | Twilio |
| Account name (only with account) | Unique identifier for attribution and credibility of data | Public |
| Timestamp of account creation (only with account) | Credibility of data | Public |
| Timestamp of last login (only with account) | Security and fraud prevention | Public |
| Database Content (optional) | Dissemination of geyser-related data | Public |
| Timestamps of contributions (optional) | Tracking of content history | Public |
| Chat nickname (optional) | Unique identifier for attribution of chat messages | Public |
| Chat messages (optional) | Communications on webcam chat | Public |
| Crash logs (optional) | Diagnosis and fixes for bugs and crashes | Google (Firebase Crashlytics) |
| Diagnostics (optional) | Performance improvements | Google (Google Analytics for Firebase) |
| Page views (optional) | Prioritization of development, analytics | Google (Google Analytics for Firebase) |
| Firebase installation ID | Synchronization of data | Google (Firebase Cloud Messaging) |
Server Location
The server used by GeyserTimes for hosting its website and providing its services is located in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States of America and operated by OVH US LLC. An additional server used by GeyserTimes for backing up the database and its contents is located in New York City, New York, United States of America and operated by DigitalOcean.
External Services
The following external services are used:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Firebase Cloud Messaging (Privacy Policy) | Synchronization of data |
| Twilio (Privacy Policy) | SMS messaging |
| National Park Service (Privacy Policy) | Webcams |
| Pixelcaster | Streaming webcam |
| National Weather Service (Privacy Policy) | Weather forecast |
| United States Geological Survey (Privacy Policy) | Temperature loggers |
| University of Utah (Privacy Statement) | Seismograms |
| Yellowstone National Park Static Webcam Archive | Webcam archive |
| Google Maps (Privacy Policy) | Maps |
| Google Fonts (Privacy Policy) | Fonts |
| Font Awesome (Privacy Policy) | Icons |
| Donorbox (Privacy Policy) | Payment processing for donations |
| Stripe (Privacy Policy) | Payment processing for donations |
| PayPal (Privacy Statement) | Payment processing for donations |
| reCAPTCHA (Privacy Policy) | Fraud prevention |
| Firebase Crashlytics (Privacy Policy) | Crash logs |
| Google Analytics for Firebase (Privacy Policy) | Diagnostics and page views |
Cookies and Similar Technologies
GeyserTimes uses cookies and similar technologies to process, collect, store and share data as described above. Additionally, third-party cookies and similar technologies may be used by providers of external services as described above.
Access Request for Personal Data
Users can request a copy of their personal data undergoing processing by contacting the GeyserTimes support (email: support@geysertimes.org). Please note that requests for access to personal data should be sent from the email address associated with the GeyserTimes account.
Account Deletion
Users can delete their account and the associated personal data within the account settings or by contacting the GeyserTimes support (email: support@geysertimes.org). Please note that requests for account deletions should be sent from the email address associated with the GeyserTimes account.
When an account is deleted, all personal data, including name, email address, and username, will be removed, but a remnant of the account will remain. More specifically, the account name will be renamed to ghost<user id> and the name will be renamed to Deleted User #'<user id>. Since GeyserTimes does not allow anonymous contributions, any contributed data will be attributed to the remnant account.