MagMapper Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 28, 2026

We value your privacy and are committed to protecting the information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use the MagMapper mobile application (the “App”).

1. Information We Collect

When you use the App, we may collect the following types of information:

  • Account Information: When you sign in with Google or Apple (including the Hide My Email feature), we collect your name, email address (or Apple relay address), and profile information necessary to create and manage your account.

  • Survey Data: When you conduct a survey, we collect information including:

     

    • GPS location data (coordinates of survey points).
    • Magnetic field data recorded by your device’s sensors.
    • Survey metadata (survey name, timestamp, device type, user ID).
    • Photos and images you capture or upload, which may contain embedded GPS location data (EXIF metadata).

    • Text notes and audio notes you record.

       

  • Device & Analytics Information: Basic technical details about your device and operating system (e.g., iOS/Android version, device model) for troubleshooting and app performance. We also use Firebase Analytics to collect usage data to improve the App.
  • Device Backups: Depending on your operating system settings, local survey data may be automatically backed up to cloud services (e.g., Google Cloud Backup).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected to:

  • Enable core app functions such as mapping, survey creation, and data collection.
  • Process and verify data quality.
  • Conduct scientific and environmental research related to undocumented orphaned wells (UOWs).
  • Maintain a public leaderboard using your chosen username.
  • Ensure the safety and integrity of collected data for analysis and reporting.

3. Data Sharing & Public Disclosure

Important: MagMapper is designed for public scientific data collection. Your data is shared and disclosed as follows:

  • Publicly Available Data: To support open science, uploaded surveys are displayed on our public map. This includes survey locations, summary anomaly data, and photos that pass automated quality control (photos may include embedded GPS/EXIF location data). Processed survey summaries are available for public download in GeoJSON format. Your chosen leaderboard username and score are displayed publicly.
  • With Research Partners: Survey data is shared with authorized research and government partners for environmental and scientific purposes.
  • With Service Providers: We use third-party processors to support our operations, including Google (authentication, cloud storage, Firebase analytics, Gemini AI quality control) and Apple (authentication).
  • Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, or legal process.

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Storage, Retention & Security

  • Survey data and account information are stored securely in encrypted databases.
  • We implement safeguards to protect your data from unauthorized access or disclosure.
  • Data Retention: Uploaded survey data is retained for long-term environmental research. If you delete your account, your surveys, photos, and personal information are removed from our active databases and the public map; data already incorporated into aggregate research may persist in de-identified form.

5. Your Choices

  • You may review and delete surveys you have created within the App.
  • Account Deletion: You may delete your account and associated personal data directly within the App using the authenticated in-app deletion feature. Deletion requests made in the App are processed immediately upon confirmation. Alternatively, you can request deletion via our web form at https://geomag.colorado.edu/magmapper-accountrequestform or by contacting us at magmapper@colorado.edu.
  • You can choose not to grant location, camera, microphone, or photo-library permissions, but core features of the App will not function properly without them.

6. Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take steps to delete it. Users under 18 should conduct field surveys with adult supervision.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy; the effective date above reflects the latest revision. Material changes will be reflected here before they take effect.

8. Contact Us

Questions about this policy: magmapper@colorado.edu.