Deep Cove App Privacy Policy
Last updated: 28 October 2026
Who we are
The Deep Cove app is developed and published by Russell Fowler on behalf of the Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust. The Trust is responsible for the app’s content. Privacy enquiries about the app, technical development and support are handled by the developer. This policy explains how the app accesses, uses, stores and shares information.
Our privacy approach
The app is designed to work largely offline. It does not require a user account and does not include advertising, behavioural analytics or cross-app tracking. Neither the Trust nor the developer sells personal information obtained through the app.
Location and walk recordings
With the user’s permission, the app accesses precise device location to show the user’s position, record walks, create waypoints, support backtracking and optionally add a location to a field note. A recorded walk may include coordinates, date and time, distance, altitude and device-reported accuracy. When the user deliberately starts recording a walk, location access may continue while the screen is off or another app is visible. Location recording stops when the user pauses, finishes or discards the recording. Walks and location records are stored in the app’s local storage. The app does not transmit these records to the Trust, the developer or an app-operated server.
Photographs, notes and forms
Users may choose to take or select photographs for field-notebook entries or GPS waypoints. Notes, photographs, waypoint information, optional location details and completed teacher forms are stored locally within the app. This material is not automatically transmitted to the Trust or developer or synchronised with another user.
Sound-map recordings
The One-minute Sound Map activity accesses the microphone only after the user chooses to begin recording and grants permission. Sound recordings and related notes are stored locally within the app and are not automatically sent to the Trust or developer. Users can play and permanently delete saved sound-map recordings from within the app.
Device backups
Information stored locally by the app may be included in an encrypted device backup provided by Apple or Google, depending on the user’s device and backup settings. These backups are controlled by the operating-system provider rather than the Trust or developer.
Online maps and external services
When an online map is displayed, the app requests map tiles from OpenStreetMap or Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). When a user chooses to download or refresh an offline topo map, the app requests tiles for that map area from LINZ over an internet connection. These services may receive the device’s internet address, technical request information and the requested map area. A requested map area may indicate the user’s approximate or precise location. Downloading a named track map does not send the user’s recorded walks, notes or waypoints. Viewing downloaded maps offline does not request map tiles over the internet. These services handle information under their own privacy policies. The app may also open websites, documents or YouTube using an external browser or application. The privacy practices of the selected external service then apply. Where the Trust or developer appoints a service provider to process personal information on their behalf, that provider must protect the information to the same or an equivalent standard as this policy and applicable privacy law.
Downloaded offline maps
Downloaded topo tiles are stored in the app’s local storage with the map name and download date. They remain available offline until the user deletes or replaces the download, clears app storage or uninstalls the app. The app recommends refreshing downloads after six months. Users can remove individual downloads from the Downloaded maps list to free storage. Removing one download leaves other maps and the built-in Deep Cove map available. After a map is closed, its deleted or replaced download file can be removed from storage.
Sharing and exports
Sharing or exporting a field note, recorded walk, photograph, form or other file occurs only when the user deliberately chooses the app’s export or sharing function. The device’s standard sharing controls allow the user to choose the recipient, application or service. Exported copies are outside the control of the Trust, the developer and the Deep Cove app.
Storage, security, retention and deletion
App records are stored within the app’s private local storage and benefit from the security protections provided by the device operating system. Records remain until the user deletes the relevant item within the app, clears the app’s storage or uninstalls the app. Neither the Trust nor the developer can remotely view or delete locally stored records because the app has no user accounts or Trust-operated or developer-operated database. Deleting the app does not necessarily delete copies previously exported, shared or retained in a device backup.
Permissions and user choices
Users may decline or later withdraw location, microphone, camera, photo-library or notification permission through their device settings. Withdrawing permission may prevent the related feature from working, but most guides and educational content will remain available.
Children and school use
The app may be used as part of school activities, but it does not knowingly transmit children’s notes, photographs, recordings or location records to the Trust or developer. Teachers and supervising adults should avoid recording unnecessary personal or sensitive information and should manage exported material according to their school’s privacy procedures.
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated if the app’s features or data practices change. The date at the top identifies the current version.