Our Commitment to Privacy
Great Lakes Ice Report is a community safety tool designed to help residents share winter road conditions. We believe in transparency and minimal data collection.
Information We Collect
- Location Reports: Address/location descriptions and coordinates you submit
- Optional Details: Any additional description you provide with reports
- Technical Data: IP address (for preventing abuse), browser type, and basic usage statistics
- Theme Preference: Your dark/light mode choice (stored locally on your device)
How We Use Your Information
- Display Reports: Show icy conditions on the public map for community awareness
- Auto-Cleanup: Reports automatically delete after 48 hours
- Prevent Abuse: Rate limiting and basic spam protection
- Service Improvement: Understanding usage patterns to improve the tool
Information Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties.
- Location reports are displayed publicly on the map (this is the service's purpose)
- This service is operated from servers located outside the United States and may be subject to different legal requirements and jurisdictions
- Anonymous usage statistics may be shared to improve community safety tools
Data Retention
- Reports: Automatically deleted after 48 hours (unless marked persistent by admin)
- Technical Logs: Retained for up to 30 days for security purposes
- Theme Preferences: Stored locally on your device only
Your Rights
- Anonymous Use: No account required - you can use the service anonymously
- Voluntary Participation: All report submissions are voluntary
- Contact Us: Questions about your data or this policy (see contact info below)
Security
We implement reasonable security measures including:
- HTTPS encryption for all communications
- Rate limiting to prevent abuse
- Regular security updates and monitoring
- Minimal data collection principle
Third-Party Services
We use the following external services:
- MapBox API: For fast address geocoding (see MapBox Privacy Policy)
- OpenStreetMap: For map tiles and fallback geocoding
- Nominatim: Backup geocoding service
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy occasionally. Significant changes will be indicated by updating the effective date above. Continued use of the service constitutes acceptance of any changes.
Community Safety Focus
This tool exists to help community members stay safe during winter conditions. We encourage responsible use and respect for everyone's safety and privacy.
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