Privacy Policy

Effective September 7, 2026

SF Stairway Spotter helps people discover and keep track of visits to public stairways in San Francisco. This policy explains what information the app handles and the choices available to you.

Who operates the app

SF Stairway Spotter is operated by Alexandra Kenin in San Francisco, California. Privacy questions can be sent to info@urbanhikersf.com.

Information we collect

Account information: your email address, account ID, sign-in provider, and any optional display name you choose.
Activity information: stairway check-ins, private verified-visit history, verification method, dates, badges, streaks, leaderboard preferences, friends, blocked-user choices, and safety reports.
Location: precise location is accessed only when you choose a location-based feature, such as finding nearby stairways, verifying a visit, or using your current location to suggest a stairway. For nearby searches and visit verification, your precise location is used to provide the requested feature and is not retained with your visit record. If you choose to submit a stairway using your current location, those coordinates are retained as part of the submission. Location is not used for advertising.
Camera: when you choose photo verification, the app captures a temporary camera photo and checks your location. The photo is not saved or uploaded.
Messages and submissions: feedback, reported issues, suggested stairway information, coordinates, any optional contact email you provide, and an optional photo you choose to attach to feedback or an issue report.

How we use information

We use this information to operate authentication and accounts, display stairways, record progress, award badges, provide social features you select, verify visits, answer support requests, review submissions and safety reports, prevent unwanted contact, keep the app secure, and fix problems.

Service providers

The app uses Supabase for database and authentication services, Google Maps for map features, and Vercel for web hosting. Apple or Google may process sign-in information when you choose their sign-in service. These providers process information under their own terms and privacy policies.

Optional mailing list

Mailing-list notice updated September 26, 2026. If you choose to subscribe, your email address and email-marketing consent are sent to Mailchimp to manage emails about SF Stairway Spotter. Subscribing is optional and separate from creating an app account. You can unsubscribe using the link in any marketing email. Contact us with questions about your subscription data.

Optional website analytics

Website analytics notice updated September 18, 2026. On sfstairwayspotter.com, we use Google Analytics only if you select “Allow analytics.” It uses cookies to measure public-page visits, referral sources, campaign links, and basic browser and device information. This helps us understand which newsletters and other sources bring visitors to the website. This integration does not run in the mobile app or the interactive map, and we do not send it account details, stairway visit history, or precise device location. Advertising features are disabled. You can decline or change your choice using “Analytics preferences” on the website. Declining does not prevent you from using the site. Learn more about how Google uses this information.

Sharing and advertising

We do not sell personal information. At launch, the app does not contain third-party advertising or behavioral advertising trackers. An optional display name, verified total, stairway mayorship, and aggregate 30-day mayorship count appear publicly only if you choose to join the leaderboard. Your individual visit dates are never shown publicly. Temporary verification photos are not saved, uploaded, or displayed.

Retention

Account and progress data are kept while your account is active.
Feedback messages, optional reply emails, and optional attached photos are normally kept for up to 12 months, unless they are needed longer to resolve an active matter.
Safety reports are kept as needed to investigate abuse, enforce our terms, and document moderation decisions.
Pending stairway submissions are kept while they are reviewed. Rejected or duplicate submissions are normally deleted within 90 days.
Approved public stairway facts may remain as part of the public stairway directory, but the submitter’s account ID and contact email are removed.

Your choices

You may browse the stairway map without an account. Device permissions can be changed in your phone settings. Leaderboard participation is optional. You can delete your account in the app under Menu → Settings → Delete my account, or follow the instructions on the Delete Account page.

Children

The app is intended for a general audience age 13 and older and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Security and changes

We use reasonable safeguards, but no online service can guarantee perfect security. We may update this policy as the app changes. The effective date above will be revised when material changes are made.