Privacy Policy for “What’s Around?”

Last updated: 17 May 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how “What’s Around?” (“the App”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses and shares information when you use the mobile application. Data controller: Stephan Schmidt, Julius-Schaxel-Str. 7, 07749 Jena, Thuringia, Germany. Contact: https://www.hiqapps.com/kontakt (or info[at]hiqapps.com).

1. Interpretation and Definitions

“Personal Data” is any information relating to an identified or identifiable person. “You” means the user of the App. “Third-Party Service” means an external provider whose SDK or API is used by the App.

2. Collecting and Using Personal Data

2.1 Data you provide

  • Email address — obtained when you sign in with Apple, Google or Facebook, and optionally if you enter it in the in-app feedback form to receive a reply.
  • User content — ratings you give, locations you mark as favourites, and any message you submit through the feedback form.

2.2 Data created when you use the App (signed-in users only)

  • A user ID and your login-provider ID, stored together with your email to operate your account, favourites and ratings. No account is created and no user ID exists if you only browse the map without signing in.

2.3 Location data

  • With your permission, the App reads your device’s precise location on the device to centre the map on you. This precise position is not transmitted to our servers.
  • The approximate centre of the map view (a coordinate, not your exact position) is sent to our backend and to Wikipedia/Wikivoyage to retrieve points of interest near that area.

2.4 Technical context

  • When you send feedback, the App attaches the app version and platform (e.g. “ios”/”android”) to help us reproduce issues. No device identifier is sent to our backend.

3. Advertising and Tracking

The App shows ads via Google AdMob. AdMob may access an advertising identifier (IDFA on iOS, Advertising ID on Android) and usage data to deliver and measure ads. On iOS you are asked for permission via Apple’s App Tracking Transparency prompt; in the EU/UK/CH a consent dialog (Google UMP) governs personalised ads. If you decline, only non-personalised ads are shown. The advertising identifier is handled by Google’s SDK and is not linked by us to your account or email.

4. Analytics and Crash Reporting

We use Sentry to receive crash and diagnostic reports (device model, OS, error stack traces). Automatic collection of IP address and personal identifiers is disabled.

5. Third-Party Services

  • Google AdMob — advertising (see §3). [Google Privacy Policy]
  • Google Maps SDK — renders the map; receives device, usage and viewport-location data.
  • Sign in with Apple / Google Sign-In / Facebook Login — authentication.
  • Sentry — crash diagnostics (§4).
  • Wikipedia / Wikivoyage (Wikimedia), The Movie Database (TMDB), OpenStreetMap Nominatim — content and image providers; they receive your IP address and the request when content or images are loaded.

Each third party processes data under its own privacy policy.

6. Legal Bases (GDPR, Art. 6)

  • Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) — account, favourites, ratings.
  • Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) — precise location access, personalised advertising (ATT/UMP), optional feedback email. You may withdraw consent at any time.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) — crash diagnostics, security, basic non-personalised app functionality.

7. Retention

Account data is kept until you delete your account. Feedback is kept as long as needed to process it. Crash reports are retained for a limited period by Sentry. Aggregated, non-identifying data may be kept longer.

8. Deleting Your Data

You can delete your account and associated personal data directly in the App (menu → sign-in → delete account), or by using this form. Deletion removes your user record, ratings and favourites.

9. Your Rights

Under the GDPR you have the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability, objection, and to withdraw consent. You may lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (in Germany: the data protection authority of your federal state). Requests: https://www.hiqapps.com/kontakt.

10. Children’s Privacy

The App is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 16; if you believe a child provided data, contact us for removal.

11. Links to Other Services

Opening a Wikipedia, Wikivoyage or TMDB link leaves the App; those sites have their own privacy policies.

12. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy; the “Last updated” date reflects the latest version. Material changes will be indicated in the App or on this page.

13. Contact

Stephan Schmidt, Thuringia, Germany — https://www.hiqapps.com/kontakt