Privacy
policy
Location Vault is built on one idea: your location history belongs to you, and nobody else should see it. This policy explains exactly what the app does with your information. The short version: I don't collect any of it.
Who we are
Location Vault is made by Dave Ellis and published on the App Store by The Racing Line Software Limited, a company in the United Kingdom ("we", "us"). You can reach us at dave@daveellis.dev.
The short version
- There's no account and nothing to sign up for.
- There are no ads, analytics, tracking or third-party code in the app.
- We don't run any servers for Location Vault, and we never receive your location history, your photos or anything else from the app.
- Your history is stored on your devices and, if you use iCloud, in your private iCloud database, which only your Apple Account can access.
Your location history
With your permission, Location Vault uses iOS Location Services to record pins while you move. A pin is a position (latitude and longitude), how accurate that position is, and the time it was recorded. Pins are saved on your device.
If you're signed in to iCloud, your pins are also synced to Location Vault's private database in your iCloud account, using Apple's CloudKit. That keeps them backed up and brings them to your other devices. The private database belongs to your Apple Account: we have no access to it. Apple stores and protects iCloud data under Apple's privacy policy.
Maps, place names and search
To draw maps, turn pins into place names (such as a street, city or country) and let you search for places, Location Vault uses Apple Maps. Each of these requests sends Apple the coordinates or search text it needs to answer, and nothing else from your history. Apple handles them under its own privacy policy; we never receive them. Place names the app looks up are saved on your device so they don't need looking up again.
Photos
If you turn on Show Photos on Map and allow access, the app reads the date and location of the photos in your library, on your device, to place them on the map. Your photos are never uploaded, copied or stored by the app. You can choose selected photos only, or turn access off, in iOS Settings at any time.
The Face ID lock
You can lock Location Vault with Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode in the app's Settings. iOS does the checking: the app only learns whether it succeeded, and never sees your face, fingerprint or passcode. While the lock is on, the app hides its contents until you unlock it, including in the app switcher.
Widgets
If you add Location Vault widgets, the app gives them a short summary of your day (today's route, distance and places) through a storage area on your device that only Location Vault and its widgets can read. Widgets show on your Home Screen or Lock Screen, where anyone who can see your device can see them, so only add them if you're happy with that.
Exports
When you export your history as GPX, KML, CSV or GeoJSON, the file goes only where you choose to save or send it. After that, it's covered by the privacy terms of wherever you put it.
Purchases
Location Vault Pro is sold through the App Store, and Apple handles the payment. We never see your payment details. The app checks your purchases with the App Store on your device to unlock Pro. Apple gives us sales and subscription reports that don't include your name or contact details.
Crash reports and diagnostics
The app contains no analytics. If you've chosen to share analytics with app developers in iOS Settings (Privacy & Security, then Analytics & Improvements), Apple may send us crash reports and usage statistics that don't identify you. You can turn this off at any time.
Data we collect
None. We don't collect, receive, sell or share personal data from Location Vault, so there's nothing for us to keep, hand over or delete. If you email us, we use your email address only to reply to you.
Your choices and control
- Location: change or turn off access in iOS Settings (Privacy & Security, then Location Services), or turn off Log My Location in the app.
- Photos: change access in iOS Settings, or turn off Show Photos on Map in the app.
- iCloud: stop syncing by turning off iCloud for Location Vault in iOS Settings (your name, then iCloud). Your pins then stay on that device only.
- Deleting your history: deleting the app removes the history stored on your device. To remove the copy in iCloud too, manage your iCloud storage in iOS Settings (your name, then iCloud) and delete Location Vault's data.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law (UK GDPR) and similar laws elsewhere, you have rights over personal data a company holds about you, such as seeing it or having it deleted. Because we hold no personal data from Location Vault, your history is entirely under your control on your devices and in your iCloud. If you have questions, email us and we'll help.
Children
Location Vault doesn't collect personal data from anyone, including children. Location history is sensitive, so if a child uses the app, a parent or guardian should help them decide who can see their device.
Changes to this policy
If anything here changes, we'll update this page and the date at the top. If a change ever meant collecting data, we'd ask for your permission first in the app.
Contact
Questions about privacy? Email dave@daveellis.dev.