Effective date: August 22, 2026
Maryland Alerts ("the app", "we", "us") is operated by Charm Stack Technologies. This policy explains what information the app handles when you use it. We try to collect as little as possible, but — unlike some earlier versions of this policy — the app does use location, advertising, and analytics services, and this document describes them honestly.
Information we collect
Location
With your permission, the app uses your device's location to show fire and rescue incidents near you and to sort alerts by distance. You can grant "While Using the App" or deny location access entirely in your device settings; denying it only disables the nearby/distance features. Location is used to serve you relevant alerts and is not sold.
Device identifiers
The app uses Firebase (a Google service) for basic app infrastructure. If you allow notifications, your device may generate a notification token (issued by Apple or Google) associated with your device.
Advertising & analytics data
The free version of the app shows ads through Google AdMob, with mediation partners including Meta (Facebook) Audience Network. These services may access an advertising identifier (Apple's IDFA or Google's Advertising ID) and standard device/usage signals to serve and measure ads. On iOS, the app asks for your permission through Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt before any tracking for personalized ads; if you decline, you'll still see ads, but non-personalized ones. On Android, you can reset or limit your Advertising ID in system settings.
Purchases & subscriptions
In-app purchases and subscriptions are processed by the App Store or Google Play and managed through RevenueCat, which we use to validate purchases and restore entitlements. We do not receive or store your full payment card details — those are handled by Apple or Google.
Surveys & feedback
From time to time the app may invite you to answer a short, optional survey about how you use it and what you'd like to see next. Some questions may ask for general information such as an age range or zip code; every question except the first two is optional, you can dismiss the survey without answering, and it is only shown once. One optional question asks for your email address if you'd like us to follow up about your answers — leaving it blank is fine, and if you do provide it we use it only to contact you about the survey. Responses are otherwise stored with an anonymous app identifier and used solely to improve the app. They are not sold or shared with advertisers.
How we use information
- Show you live fire and rescue activity, including location-based views.
- Show and measure advertising in the free version of the app.
- Process and restore in-app purchases and subscriptions.
- Diagnose problems, keep the service reliable, and improve the app.
How information is shared
We do not sell your personal information. Data is shared only with the service providers that make the app work, each under their own privacy terms:
- Google — AdMob (ads), Firebase (app infrastructure), and Google Play (purchases). See Google's Privacy Policy.
- Meta Platforms — Audience Network ad mediation. See Meta's Privacy Policy.
- RevenueCat — subscription management. See RevenueCat's Privacy Policy.
- Apple — App Store purchases. See Apple's Privacy Policy.
We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or property of our users or the public.
Your choices
- Location: grant or revoke access anytime in your device settings.
- Ad tracking: decline the App Tracking Transparency prompt on iOS, or reset/limit your Advertising ID on Android, to opt out of personalized ads.
- Notifications: allow or deny notification access anytime in your device settings.
- Ad-free: a paid subscription removes ads.
Children's privacy
The app is intended for users 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we'll remove it.
Data retention & security
We keep information only as long as needed to operate the app and meet legal obligations, and we rely on the security practices of the reputable providers listed above. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with a new effective date and, where appropriate, noted in the app.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your data? Email info@charmstack.dev.