Privacy Policy

1. Scope and contact

This Privacy Policy applies to the BlueQuest mobile application and the public website at bluequest.info. BlueQuest is the service identified in this policy and in the app marketplace listing.

Questions or privacy requests can be sent to support@bluequest.info. Please do not include your password, authentication code, or unnecessary sensitive information in an email.

2. Information we handle

• Account and profile information: first and last name, email address, optional phone number, optional occupation, password hash, profile image, preferences, and account status.
• User content: report type, title, description, comments, images or video, selected incident time, urgency, location name, precise coordinates, and report moderation information.
• Location information: precise coordinates attached to a report and coordinates used to return nearby maps, conditions, weather, tides, attractions, or safety information.
• App and security information: internal user and report identifiers, sessions, push notification tokens, app installation or attestation identifiers, integrity results, audit records, and limited request or diagnostic information needed to secure and operate the service.
• Support information: the email address, account reference, device/app version, and message content you choose to provide when requesting help.

3. Why we use information

• Create and secure accounts, authenticate users, preserve preferences, and provide requested app features.
• Receive, display, moderate, verify, route, and respond to marine and coastal reports.
• Provide maps, nearby information, weather, tide, notification, and safety-related features.
• Prevent abuse, investigate security events, maintain reliability, and enforce the Terms of Service.
• Respond to support, privacy, correction, and deletion requests.

4. Device permissions and choice

BlueQuest requests camera, photo library, media saving, microphone, location, and notification access only when relevant to a feature. For example, camera and photo access attach media to a report, the microphone records audio in a video report, and location attaches coordinates or returns nearby conditions.

You can deny or later revoke these permissions in device settings. Some related features may then be unavailable. Where the app provides manual entry, you can select or describe a location without granting continuous location access.

5. Service providers and disclosures

BlueQuest uses service providers to operate specific features. Depending on the feature used, limited information may be sent to Google Maps Platform and Places, Open-Meteo, WorldTides, Expo push notification services, Apple App Attest, Google Play Integrity, and infrastructure or hosting providers.

We disclose information when reasonably necessary to operate a feature, protect users or the service, respond to a lawful request, or comply with applicable law. Providers are expected to handle information under their own terms and privacy commitments and with protections appropriate to their role.

6. Anonymous reports

When Anonymous Mode is selected, BlueQuest hides the reporter identity from other users in report responses. Authorized systems or personnel may still process the account association when necessary to operate, secure, or moderate the report until that association is removed. Anonymous Mode should not be understood as an absolute or cryptographic guarantee of anonymity.

7. Retention and account deletion

Account information is kept while the account is active and as needed to provide the service. When in-app account deletion succeeds, BlueQuest marks the account deleted, replaces or clears direct profile identifiers, removes the profile image and notifications, clears active sessions and push tokens, and detaches the account from reports and report comments.

De-identified reports, report media, comments, moderation records, and limited audit or security records may be retained where needed for public-interest reporting, marine conservation, safety, dispute handling, abuse prevention, system integrity, or legal obligations. These records are kept only while the relevant purpose or obligation continues and access is limited according to role.

8. Security

BlueQuest uses transport encryption, password hashing, session controls, role-based access, app integrity checks, audit logging, and operational safeguards intended to protect information. No system can guarantee absolute security, so users should protect their password and report suspected misuse promptly.

9. Your choices

You may update profile information in the app, change device permissions, manage notifications, request correction or access by email, and delete your account in the app or request deletion through the public deletion page.

10. Children, changes, and applicable requirements

BlueQuest is not presented as a service specifically directed to young children. A parent or guardian who believes a child provided personal information should contact us so the situation can be reviewed.

We may update this policy when app features, providers, or legal requirements change. The effective and last-updated dates on this page identify the current version. Material changes will be communicated through an appropriate channel when required.