Privacy Policy

Introduction

StepCloser ("we," "our," or "the app") helps you reach your daily step goals with personalized walking routes and step challenges. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Account & Profile

You can use StepCloser locally without signing in. Creating an account is optional but required for challenges and cloud sync.

When you create an account, we store:

• Email address and password (securely hashed, for authentication)
• Username (required, visible on leaderboards and to challenge participants)
• Display name (optional, shown alongside your username)
• Share handle (optional, for invites)

Your email is never displayed to other challenge participants. Only your username and display name are visible to others.

Health Data Access

StepCloser can read step counts from:

• Apple Health (iOS)
• Health Connect (Android)
• Manual entry (fallback when health access is unavailable or denied)

We only read aggregate daily step totals. We do not access heart rate, sleep, nutrition, workouts, or other health categories. Raw health records never leave your device.

Challenge Progress Sync

When you join a challenge and sync progress, we upload:

• Daily step total
• Whether your daily goal was met
• Route-assisted walk count for the day

This aggregate data enables leaderboards and challenge tracking. Detailed health records, timestamps, and location data are not included.

What Participants See

Other challenge participants can see:

• Your username (required for all accounts)
• Your display name (if set)
• Your aggregate progress (steps, goal met, streaks)
• Your rank on leaderboards
• Your team membership (in team challenges)

They cannot see your email, password, exact location, detailed health data, or route history.

Location Data

Location is used only while the app is open:

• To find walking routes near you
• For turn-by-turn navigation during active walks

Your GPS coordinates are sent to our route search server but are not stored permanently, shared with challenge participants, or used for advertising.

Local vs Cloud Storage

• Local (on-device): Step history, completed walks, achievements, streaks, settings
• Cloud (when signed in): Account profile, challenge participation, aggregate progress for active challenges

Diagnostics & Crash Reporting

We collect anonymized error reports to improve app stability. These may include device type, OS version, and sanitized stack traces. They never include health data, location, or personal identifiers.

Third-Party Services

We use:

• Cloud Backend (database, authentication)
• OpenStreetMap and OSRM (maps and routing)
• Apple Health / Health Connect (step data with your permission)

We do not sell your data or use it for advertising.

Data Retention

• Challenge progress is retained for challenge duration plus a brief grace period
• Account data is retained until you request deletion
• Local data remains on your device until you uninstall or clear app data

Data Deletion

You have the right to delete your account and data. See our Account Deletion page for instructions.

To request deletion, email [email protected] with your account email. We will delete your account and data within 30 days.

Note: Deleting your account removes your individual data from leaderboards. Aggregate team totals are not retroactively recalculated.

Children's Privacy

StepCloser is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has provided us data, please contact us.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date will be revised accordingly.

Contact

Questions or concerns? Contact us at [email protected]