Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

UK Gold Prospector ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

Information We Collect

Account information: Email address, display name, and password (encrypted by Firebase Authentication) when you create an account.
Location data: Your device's GPS location is used in real-time only to display your position on the map. We do not store, log, or share your location.
User-created content: Pins, photos, and field reports you create are stored in our Firebase database.
Payment information: Payments are processed entirely by Stripe. We never see or store your card details. We only receive a confirmation that payment was successful.
Usage data: Anonymous browser type and basic analytics for improving the app.

How We Use Your Information

To provide and maintain the service
To authenticate your account and secure your data
To process subscription payments
To respond to support requests
To send important service updates

Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored on Google Firebase (subject to Google's security and privacy standards). All data transmission is encrypted via HTTPS. Pins marked "private" are stored under your unique user ID and are only accessible to you.

Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties, except:

Stripe — for payment processing only
Firebase (Google) — for authentication and database hosting
Legal requirements — if required by law or court order

Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access your personal data
Correct inaccurate data
Delete your account and all associated data
Cancel your subscription at any time
Export your data (GPX export available for spots)

To delete your account or request your data, email support@ukgoldprospector.co.uk.

Cookies & Local Storage

Strictly necessary storage (no consent needed). We use browser localStorage to save your map preferences, your saved spots and offline map data, and Firebase sets storage to keep you signed in. This is required for the site to work, so under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations it is exempt from consent.

Analytics cookies (your choice). We use Google Analytics 4 to see which pages, articles and social videos bring people to the site. It sets cookies in the _ga family and is not strictly necessary, so it only runs if you press "Accept" on the cookie bar. Until you do, Google Consent Mode holds analytics storage at "denied" and no analytics cookies are written. Choosing "Reject" is exactly as easy as choosing "Accept", and rejecting after previously accepting also clears the existing analytics cookies.

We do not use advertising or ad-targeting cookies at all - no ad networks, no retargeting pixels, no third-party ad profiling.

Payments. If you buy the map or a Pro subscription, Stripe sets its own cookies on Stripe's checkout pages for fraud prevention and to complete the payment. Those are set by Stripe, on Stripe's domain, and are covered by Stripe's privacy policy.

Change your mind at any time:

Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Third-Party Services

The app uses these third-party services, each with their own privacy policies:

Firebase Authentication & Database (Google)
Google Analytics 4 (website analytics - only after you accept cookies)
Stripe (payment processing)
Open-Meteo (weather data, no personal data shared)
Environment Agency (flood data, no personal data shared)
British Geological Survey (geological data, no personal data shared)
OpenStreetMap & CARTO (map tiles)

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated via email or in-app notification.

Contact Us

For privacy questions or concerns:
Email: support@ukgoldprospector.co.uk
Website: https://ukgoldprospector.co.uk