BoonWatchPrivacy Policy
Effective date: November 4, 2026
BoonWatch ("BoonWatch," "we," "us") is a mobile app and website operated by Sonic Team West LLC. This policy explains what we collect, why, who helps us run the service, and the choices you have. Questions: hello@boonwatch.com.
The short version
- We collect only what we need to check hazards near your saved spots and send you alerts.
- We don't sell your data, show ads, or track you across other apps and websites.
- We don't track your location in the background. We only see the spots you save.
- You can delete your account and data at any time in the app or at boonwatch.com/delete-account.
What we collect
Saved spots. The map locations you save (latitude and longitude), the names you give them, and your alert settings for each spot (distance, alert types, quiet hours, time zone). This is precise location data. We need it to check official hazard data against your spots.
Your current location, only when you ask. If you tap "Use my current location," the app reads your device location once, with your permission, to fill in a spot. We don't collect your location in the background or when the app is closed.
Account identifier. When you open the app, we create an anonymous account ID so your spots and settings stay linked to you. If you choose Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google, we receive the account ID and, if you share it, the email address from that provider.
Push notification token. A device token that lets us send alerts to your phone, plus basic device information (platform, operating system version, app version).
Subscription status. If you subscribe, Apple or Google processes the payment. We receive your subscription status (for example, active, trial or expired) and transaction identifiers, through our subscription provider. We never receive your card or bank details.
Messages you send us. If you email hello@boonwatch.com, we receive your email address and whatever you include.
Technical logs. Our servers keep short-lived logs (such as IP address, request time and error details) to keep the service secure and working.
What we don't collect
- No background location tracking.
- No contacts, photos, microphone or camera access.
- No advertising identifiers and no ads.
- No third-party analytics or advertising SDKs in this version of the app. Our map provider's optional usage telemetry is turned off.
How we use your information
- To check official hazard data against your saved spots and send the alerts and daily summaries you've turned on.
- To keep your spots and settings in sync and restore your subscription.
- To provide Pro features to subscribers and redeem promo codes.
- To respond to your messages.
- To keep the service secure, prevent abuse and fix problems, using aggregate counts (for example, how many alerts were sent) rather than individual tracking.
We don't use your data for advertising, and we don't sell or "share" personal information as those terms are defined under California law.
Service providers
We use these companies to run BoonWatch. They process data on our behalf and only as needed to provide their service:
| Provider | What it does | Data involved |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | Hosts our servers, database and website | Saved spots, settings, account ID, push tokens, logs |
| Google Firebase Authentication | Anonymous sign-in and optional Apple/Google sign-in | Account ID, provider email if shared |
| Expo, Apple Push Notification service, Firebase Cloud Messaging | Deliver push notifications | Push token, notification content |
| RevenueCat | Manages subscription status | Account ID, subscription and transaction status |
| Apple App Store, Google Play | Process payments and app downloads | Handled under their own privacy policies |
| Mapbox | Displays the map | Map requests from your device, including IP address and the map area viewed |
Public data sources
Hazard information comes from public government sources: the National Weather Service, EPA AirNow and its partner agencies, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC/WFIGS) and the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. We fetch this data once for everyone and compare it with saved spots on our servers. We don't send your location to these agencies.
How long we keep data
- Saved spots, settings and your account: until you delete them or your account.
- Push tokens: until they stop working, you turn off notifications, or you delete your account.
- Alert history: up to 30 days, so the app can show recent alerts and avoid duplicates.
- Server logs: up to 30 days.
- After you delete your account, we remove your data from our active systems within 30 days. Encrypted backups roll off within a further 30 days.
- We may keep limited records if the law requires it (for example, transaction records kept by Apple, Google or our subscription provider).
Your choices and rights
- Edit or remove spots at any time in the app.
- Turn off notifications in the app or in your phone's settings.
- Delete your account: in the app (Settings > Delete account), at boonwatch.com/delete-account, or by emailing hello@boonwatch.com. Deleting your account doesn't cancel a subscription. Cancel that in your App Store or Google Play subscription settings.
- Access or correct your data: email hello@boonwatch.com and we'll respond within 30 days.
- Depending on where you live (for example, California or other US states with privacy laws), you may have rights to know, access, correct or delete your personal information, and to not be discriminated against for using them. Email us to use them. We may need to verify your request.
Children
BoonWatch isn't directed to children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has given us information, email us and we'll delete it.
Security
We use encryption in transit, access controls and limited data collection to protect your information. No system is perfectly secure, so we keep what we hold to a minimum.
Where data is processed
BoonWatch is offered in the United States. Our providers may process data in the US and other countries where they operate.
Changes
If we change this policy, we'll update the effective date above. If a change is significant, we'll also tell you in the app before it takes effect.
Contact
Sonic Team West LLC, operator of BoonWatch hello@boonwatch.com
Awareness only. Follow official alerts and evacuation orders.