1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Route Radar ("the app", "we", "us") handles information. Route Radar is an independent, free iPhone app that displays live Philadelphia-area public transit. We aim to keep data collection to a minimum and to be straightforward about how the app works. By using Route Radar, you agree to this policy.
2. Our approach to your information
Route Radar is built to collect as little as possible. In particular, we do not:
- Require you to create an account or provide a name, email, or phone number to use the app.
- Sell or rent your personal information, or share it with data brokers.
- Use advertising identifiers or third-party advertising or tracking SDKs.
- Build advertising profiles about you.
Where a feature does need to process information to work, we use only what's necessary for that feature and describe it below.
3. Location information
If you grant location permission, Route Radar uses your device's location to:
- Center the map on your current position.
- Help you find nearby stops and vehicles.
Your location is used to provide these features. We don't use it for advertising and we don't sell it. Route Radar does not use background location and does not build a history of your movements. The app is fully usable without granting location access — you can decline the permission and simply pan the map yourself. You can review or revoke this permission at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
4. Data stored on your device
Route Radar saves a small amount of information so the app works the way you left it, such as your pinned stops and your filter and display preferences. This information is stored locally on your device and, if you have iCloud enabled, in your own private iCloud account using Apple's iCloud key-value storage so it can sync between your devices.
This iCloud data lives inside your Apple account and is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy. It syncs through Apple's iCloud, not through us. You can clear this data by removing your pins in the app or by deleting the app from your devices.
If you choose to sign in to SEPTA Key, your SEPTA Key credentials are stored securely in your device's Keychain and are used only to sign in to SEPTA's service so the app can show your card balance, passes, and trip history. You can remove them at any time by signing out.
5. Third-party transit data
To show live transit, Route Radar connects to public transportation data providers:
- SEPTA — bus, trolley, subway, and regional rail positions, schedules, and alerts.
- PATCO — train positions and schedules.
- Indego — bike-share station and availability data.
These requests fetch public transit information (for example, where vehicles are and when they arrive). As with any internet request, these providers may receive standard technical information such as your device's IP address as a normal part of delivering data, and their own privacy practices apply to their services. Route Radar is not affiliated with or endorsed by SEPTA, PATCO, or Indego.
6. Analytics
Route Radar currently includes no analytics and no usage tracking whatsoever.
In the future, we may add privacy-respecting, anonymous analytics to understand which features are used and to improve the app — for example, aggregated, anonymized usage counts that are not tied to your identity and do not track you across apps or websites. If we ever introduce analytics, we will update this policy first, describe exactly what is measured, and keep it privacy-focused. We will never add advertising trackers or sell usage data.
7. How information is used
Any information the app handles is used solely to provide app functionality — showing your saved stops, remembering your preferences, finding nearby transit, and drawing the live map. None of it is used for profiling, advertising, or marketing.
8. Children's privacy
Route Radar is suitable for general audiences and is not directed to children under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children.
9. Data security
We take reasonable measures to protect the information the app handles. Your saved stops and preferences stay on your device and, optionally, within your iCloud account, which is secured by Apple. Network requests are made over secure (HTTPS) connections.
10. Your rights & choices
- Location: grant, deny, or revoke at any time in iOS Settings.
- iCloud sync: control via your device's iCloud settings.
- Your saved data: remove pinned stops in the app, or delete the app to remove all locally stored data.
If you have a question or request about your information, reach out through the support page and we'll help.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as the app evolves. New features — such as notifications, Live Activities, or community-sourced transit information — may involve processing additional data in order to work; if and when we add anything like that, we'll update this policy first to explain what's involved and keep our minimal, privacy-minded approach. When we make changes, we'll revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after an update means you accept the revised policy.