Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 8, 2026

This policy explains what information the Nellie Alert app (“Nellie Alert”, “we”, “us”) collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. Nellie Alert lets neighbors share sightings of coyotes, dangerous animals, lost pets and stray animals, and sends alerts to people nearby.

Information we collect

Without an account. You can view the map, recent sightings and the About screen without signing in. If you allow location access, your location is used on your device to center the map and show distances; it is not stored by us unless you are signed in.

Account information. If you sign in with Apple, Google or email, we store your email address, the name you provide (or that Apple or Google shares with us), and a user ID. If you use Sign in with Apple and choose to hide your email, we receive a private relay address instead.

Sightings you post. The type of sighting, the location you choose for it, the optional animal description and notes you write, an optional photo, and the time it was posted. Sightings are public: anyone using the app can see them on the map. Your name and email are not shown with your sightings.

Alert settings and location. To send you alerts, we store the home location you set, your alert radius and the alert types you choose. When you open the app while signed in, we also store your last known location so we can alert you about sightings near where you are. We do not track your location in the background.

Notifications. If you allow notifications, we store a push notification token for your device so we can send you alerts.

Flags and hidden people. If you flag a sighting, we store the reason you chose. If you choose to hide posts from a person, that choice is stored on your device only.

Usage and crash data. We use Firebase Analytics to understand which screens are used and Firebase Crashlytics to receive crash reports. These may include device model, operating system version, app version, an app instance ID and your user ID. We do not use this data for advertising and we do not track you across other companies’ apps or websites.

Support requests. If you contact us through the support page, we receive the name, email address and message you send.

How we use information

• To show sightings on the map and in the activity list.
• To send you alerts about sightings near your home or your last known location.
• To keep the community safe: limit how often reports can be posted, review flagged sightings, and remove content that breaks our Terms.
• To fix bugs, prevent abuse and improve the app.
• To answer your support requests.

We do not sell your personal information and we do not use it for targeted advertising.

Service providers

We use Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Cloud Storage, Cloud Functions, Cloud Messaging, Analytics, Crashlytics, App Check and Remote Config) to run the app, Apple Push Notification service to deliver notifications on iPhone, Apple and Google for sign-in, and Google Maps Platform for place search and maps. These providers process data on our behalf under their own terms and privacy policies.

How long we keep information

• Sightings stay on the map until they expire (about 6 hours for coyote and dangerous-animal sightings, 3 days for strays and 7 days for lost pets) or until you mark them resolved. Expired and resolved sightings are no longer shown in the app.
• Your account information, alert settings, location and photos are kept until you delete your account.
• Analytics and crash data are kept according to Firebase’s retention settings.

Deleting your account

You can delete your account at any time in the app: open the map, tap the Settings (gear) button, then Delete Account. This deletes your account, your profile and alert settings, your stored location and notification token, and the photos you posted. Sightings you already posted are kept until they expire, without your photo. You can also ask us to delete your data through the support page.

Your choices

• You can turn off location or notification access at any time in your phone’s Settings.
• You can change your alert area, radius and alert types in the app’s Settings.
• Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct or delete your personal information. Contact us through the support page to make a request.

Children

Nellie Alert is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

Security

Data is sent over encrypted connections and protected by access rules so that people can only change their own information. No system is perfectly secure, so please don’t include sensitive personal details in sightings or photos.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we will update the date above and, for significant changes, let you know in the app.

Contact

Questions or requests about privacy: use our support page.