Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how the Kotor North Star mobile app ("the app") handles information. Please read it together with the app's support page at kotornorthstar.com/support.
1. Who we are
The app is operated by Draško Lazarević, Kotor, Montenegro ("we", "us"). We are responsible for the processing of personal data described in this policy.
Contact for any privacy question or request: kotornorthstar@gmail.com
2. Summary
- You can use the app without creating an account. We do not ask for your name, email address or phone number.
- The app does not use analytics, advertising, tracking, push notifications or crash-reporting tools.
- If you allow it, the app uses your location only on your device to show nearby places. Your location is not sent to us and is not stored by us.
- The app downloads information about local places and partners from our database and keeps a copy on your device so it works offline.
3. Information the app uses
3.1 Location (optional)
In the Smart Escape section, the app asks for permission to use your location only when you tap "Show nearby". If you allow it:
- your location is used while the app is open (foreground only), never in the background;
- it is used only on your device, to sort nearby places and to show your position on the map;
- it is not sent to us or to our database, and we do not store it.
You can refuse or withdraw this permission at any time in your phone's settings. The rest of the app works without it.
3.2 Information about places and partners
The app downloads public information about local places and partners (for example names, descriptions, locations, photos and contact details of businesses) from our database. This is information about businesses, not about you. The app only reads this information; it does not send your data to the database.
3.3 Information stored on your device
To work offline, the app keeps a copy of the place and partner information on your device. It does not store personal information about you. You can delete this copy at any time by clearing the app's storage or uninstalling the app.
3.4 Audio guide
The audio guide uses the text-to-speech voice built into your phone. We do not record or receive your voice or any audio.
3.5 Technical connection data
When the app connects to our database to download place information, the service provider that hosts the database (Google, see section 4) automatically receives technical data needed to deliver the content, such as your IP address and basic device and app information. We do not use this data to identify you.
4. Third-party services
- Google Firebase (Cloud Firestore) hosts our place and partner database. Google acts as our service provider (processor). More information: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
- Firebase Hosting hosts our website kotornorthstar.com. When you visit the website, Google may process technical data such as your IP address to deliver the page.
- Maps: on iPhone the map is provided by Apple Maps, and on Android by Google Maps. When the map is shown, these providers may process technical and location data under their own privacy policies: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/ and https://policies.google.com/privacy
- External links: the app can open WhatsApp, your phone's dialer, partner websites and Instagram when you tap a contact button or link. After you leave the app, the privacy policy of that service applies. We do not receive any information about these contacts.
5. Legal basis, retention and transfers
- Legal basis: location is used only with your consent (the permission you give on your phone). Technical connection data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interest in delivering the app's content securely and reliably.
- Retention: we do not keep a database of users, locations or contacts. The offline copy of place information stays on your device until you clear it or uninstall the app. Technical data held by Google is kept according to Google's own retention rules.
- International transfers: our database is hosted by Google in the European Union (Frankfurt, Germany, region europe-west3). Google may process some technical data outside the EU/EEA under appropriate safeguards, such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
- No sale or sharing: we do not sell personal data and do not share it for advertising.
6. Your rights
Depending on the law that applies to you (including the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the Montenegrin Law on Personal Data Protection), you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal data, to restrict or object to processing, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. Because the app does not collect personal data in an account or database, in most cases we will hold no data about you. You can still contact us at kotornorthstar@gmail.com and we will answer within the time required by law.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority, in Montenegro the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information (AZLP), or the authority in your EU country of residence.
7. Children
The app is a general travel guide and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
8. Changes to this policy
We will update this policy before releasing any app version that changes how information is used, for example by adding analytics, notifications, accounts or payments. The new version will be published at kotornorthstar.com/privacy with a new date.
9. Contact
Draško Lazarević, Kotor, Montenegro
Email: kotornorthstar@gmail.com