Privacy Policy for Root Locale

Last Updated: March 04, 2025

Welcome to Root Locale (“we,” “us,” or “our”), a mobile application designed to help you explore historical and natural points of interest. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our app and our website at rootlocale.com (collectively, the “Service”). By using the Service, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information when you use Root Locale:

a. Information You Provide

User-Submitted Data: When you submit a new location or create a custom expedition, we collect information such as location names, descriptions, and any other content you provide.
Contact Information: If you contact us (e.g., via email or feedback forms), we may collect your name, email address, and message content.

b. Automatically Collected Information

Location Data: With your permission, we collect precise location data (e.g., latitude and longitude) via GPS or network services to center the map, set default locations, or provide expedition guidance. You can disable this in your device settings.
Usage Data: We collect analytics data about how you interact with the app, including screens visited, features used (e.g., QR scanning, map filters), and button clicks. This data is anonymized and linked to a unique user ID (e.g., “anonymous_xxxx”).
Device Information: We may collect details about your device, such as the operating system version, device type, and unique identifiers (e.g., advertising ID), to improve app performance and troubleshoot issues.

c. Information from Third Parties

Weather Data: We fetch weather information based on location coordinates from WeatherAPI (weatherapi.com), which may involve sending your approximate location to their servers.
Geocoding Data: When you enter a location (e.g., “Kalispell, MT”), we use Nominatim (OpenStreetMap) to convert it to coordinates, sending your input to their service.
Web Analytics: Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to track visitor behavior, such as page views and clicks.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

To Provide and Improve the Service: Location data helps us display maps, expeditions, and weather updates. Usage data helps us enhance app features and fix bugs.
Personalization: Your default location and custom expeditions are stored locally on your device to tailor your experience.
Communication: We may use your contact information to respond to inquiries or send important updates about the Service (e.g., feature announcements).
Analytics: Anonymized data helps us understand how users engage with Root Locale, enabling us to optimize performance and plan future enhancements.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it under the following circumstances:

Service Providers: We share data with third-party providers (e.g., WeatherAPI, Nominatim, HalcyonWorkstations.com) to deliver app features like weather updates, geocoding, and location content. These providers have their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.
Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a subpoena or government request.
Business Transfers: If Root Locale is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, with notice provided where required.

4. Data Storage and Security

Local Storage: Default location coordinates, custom expeditions, and app preferences are stored locally on your device using secure methods provided by your operating system.
Server Storage: Analytics data and user-submitted locations are stored on our servers (e.g., HalcyonWorkstations.com) with encryption and access controls to prevent unauthorized access.
Security Measures: We implement reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your data, though no system is completely secure. Please notify us immediately at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you suspect a security breach.

5. Your Choices and Rights

Location Access: You can deny or revoke location permissions through your device settings, though this may limit some app features (e.g., GPS centering).
Data Deletion: To delete your custom expeditions or submitted locations, use the app’s edit/delete functions. For other data removal requests, contact us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
Opt-Out: You can disable analytics by contacting us, though this may not affect data already collected.

6. Third-Party Links and Services

Root Locale includes links to external sites (e.g., Google Maps, Wikipedia) and integrates third-party APIs. These services have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices. Please review their terms before interacting with them.

7. Children’s Privacy

Root Locale is not intended for use by children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn such data has been collected, we will delete it promptly. Contact us if you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child.

8. International Users

The Service is operated from the United States. If you use Root Locale from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to and processed in the U.S., where privacy laws may differ from your jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be communicated via the app or email (if provided).

10. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy, please reach out to us at:

Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Website: rootlocale.com/contact

Thank you for trusting Root Locale with your exploration journey. We’re here to help you discover the world responsibly and securely!

Terms of Service for Root Locale

Last Updated: March 05, 2025

Welcome to Root Locale (“we,” “us,” or “our”), a mobile application designed to help you explore historical and natural points of interest. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Root Locale app and our website at rootlocale.com (collectively, the “Service”). By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms form a legal agreement between you (“you” or “User”) and Root Locale. We may update these Terms from time to time, and the updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. By using Root Locale, you represent that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

3. License to Use the Service

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Service for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to these Terms. You may not:

Modify, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works of the Service.
Use the Service for any illegal, harmful, or unauthorized purpose.
Distribute, sell, or sublicense the Service to others.

4. User Accounts and Responsibilities

Account Creation: Root Locale allows you to create an account using an email and password. Data such as default locations, custom expeditions, and account details (e.g., name, email) are stored locally on your device and may be synced with our servers.
Your Responsibilities: You are responsible for maintaining the security of your device and any data you input into the Service. You agree to provide accurate and lawful information when creating an account, submitting locations, or creating expeditions.

5. User-Generated Content

Submission: You may submit new locations or create custom expeditions through the Service. By submitting content, you grant us a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute that content within the Service.
Content Guidelines: Your submissions must not:
- Infringe on intellectual property, privacy, or other rights.
- Contain obscene, defamatory, or unlawful material.
- Include spam, viruses, or malicious code.
Moderation: We reserve the right to review, edit, or remove user-generated content at our discretion, without prior notice.

6. Data Deletion

User Data Deletion Requests: If you wish to have some or all of your data (e.g., account information, location data, or custom expeditions) deleted without deleting your account, you may email your request to [email protected]. We will process such requests within 14 days of receiving your inquiry, subject to verification of your identity.

7. Service Features and Limitations

Location Data: The Service uses GPS and network location data with your consent. Accuracy depends on your device and network conditions.
Third-Party Services: Root Locale integrates with third-party providers (e.g., WeatherAPI, OpenStreetMap, Google Maps). These services are subject to their own terms, and we are not responsible for their availability or performance.
Beta Status: The Service is currently in beta. Features may change, and we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.

8. Intellectual Property

Our Content: All app content, including text, maps, images (e.g., “rootLocale.png”), and code, is owned by Root Locale or our licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws.
Your Content: You retain ownership of content you submit but grant us the rights outlined in Section 5.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

Use the Service to harass, harm, or deceive others.
Attempt to access or interfere with our servers, systems, or other users’ data.
Scrape, harvest, or collect data from the Service without permission.
Misrepresent your identity or affiliation.

10. Termination

By You: You may stop using the Service at any time by uninstalling the app.
By Us: We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service if you violate these Terms, with or without notice, at our sole discretion.
Effect of Termination: Upon termination, your license to use the Service ends, but locally stored data (e.g., expeditions) remains on your device unless deleted.

11. Disclaimers

As-Is Basis: The Service is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose or accuracy of content.
Third-Party Content: We do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of information from third-party sources (e.g., weather data, user submissions).
Risk: Use of the Service, including reliance on maps or directions, is at your own risk.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Root Locale, its affiliates, and licensors will not be liable for:

Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (e.g., lost profits, data loss).
Damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Service.
Any amount exceeding $100 USD or the amount you paid us (if any), whichever is greater.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Root Locale harmless from any claims, losses, or damages (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Service, your content, or your violation of these Terms or applicable laws.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Montana, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Disputes: Any disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in Missoula, Montana, conducted by a single arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except for small claims, which may be filed in a local court. You waive any right to a class action.

15. Changes to the Service

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service or its features at any time, with or without notice. We are not liable for any resulting loss or inconvenience.

16. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms or the Service, contact us at:

Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Website: rootlocale.com/contact

17. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement: These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy, constitute the full agreement between you and Root Locale regarding the Service.
Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not waive that right or provision.

Thank you for using Root Locale! We hope you enjoy exploring with us.