Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 20 September, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Detector Maps ("Detector Maps," "we," "us," or "our"). We provide a subscription-based online portal and mobile application (iOS/Android) for gold prospectors in Australia to access geoscientific data layers, offline navigation, and other mapping features. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and process your information. By accessing or using Detector Maps, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Data We Collect

We collect the following types of information to deliver and improve our services:

Personal Information

Account Details: Name, email, and password, used for account authentication, login, and customer support.

Identifiers: A unique User ID is assigned to your account and used to manage access to your subscription and saved data.

Payment Information: Billing details (e.g., credit card number, billing address) are processed securely by third-party payment providers. Detector Maps does not store credit card information on our servers.

Location Data

Precise Location: We collect your precise GPS location while the app is in use (including background) to enable features such as breadcrumb tracking, real-time map positioning, and route recording.

Waypoints and Trails: Location-based markers and paths you create while prospecting are stored as part of your account.

Non-Personal Information

Product Interaction: We collect anonymized data such as taps, pans, zooms, and map feature interactions to improve usability and map performance. This data is not linked to your personal identity.

Usage Statistics: Information like device type, operating system, and app version, which help us maintain compatibility and optimize performance.

Other Information

Photos, Files and Content: Photos you attach to waypoints, map files you import, notes you write, and anything you post or send in the Community are stored with your account so they are there on your other devices.

Purchase Information: Which plan you hold and your purchase history, so we can give you the features you have paid for. We never see your card details.

Diagnostics: Crash reports and performance logs, which include your device type and IP address, so we can find and fix faults.

Device and Advertising Identifiers: An identifier for sending you notifications, and your device's advertising identifier where your device settings allow it (see section 4).

3. How We Use Your Data

We use your data to:

• Authenticate your login and manage your account.
• Display accurate maps, goldfields, and geoscientific layers relevant to your location.
• Record and save your trails, waypoints, and routes.
• Improve app performance, map load times, and feature usability.
• Provide customer support and troubleshoot issues.
• Send you notifications you have asked for, such as tenement alerts.
• Measure which of our advertisements lead to sign-ups and subscriptions (see section 4).

4. Data Sharing & Third-Party Processing

We do not sell your personal data. Your waypoints, trails, finds, notes and photos are never shared with advertisers, and never used to show you advertising.

Data is shared with trusted third parties solely for:

• Cloud-based storage and synchronization
• Payment processing
• Map performance analytics (e.g. Mapbox telemetry, which receives de-identified location and usage data to improve its maps)
• Crash reporting and diagnostics
• Sending notifications
• Measuring our own advertising, as described below

Advertising Measurement

Detector Maps shows you no third-party advertisements. We do advertise Detector Maps on Facebook and Instagram, and to learn which advertisements work we tell Meta when someone creates an account, starts a trial or buys a subscription. That message contains a hashed (scrambled) copy of your email address and User ID, your device's advertising identifier where available, your IP address and country, and the value of the purchase. Meta uses it to match the event to an advertisement and to measure and improve the delivery of our advertising, under its own terms. It never contains your location, waypoints, trails, finds, notes or photos.

You can limit this. On iPhone, choose "Ask App Not to Track" when Detector Maps asks, or turn it off later in Settings, Privacy & Security, Tracking: the advertising identifier is then not sent and the event is marked so that Meta restricts how it is used. On Android, delete your advertising ID in Settings, Privacy, Ads.

5. Data Storage & Security

Your waypoints, trail data, and account information are stored securely in the cloud. All transmission is encrypted. Users are encouraged to periodically export their data in .KML or .CSV format for backup.

Backups to Your Own Cloud Storage

Google Drive backups (Android): When you connect Google Drive, Detector Maps copies your backup file into a Detector Maps folder in your own Google Drive. It uses Google's "drive.file" permission, so it can only see and change the files it creates there, and nothing else in your Drive. Your Google account's email address is kept on your phone to show which account is connected. Neither the backups nor the email address are sent to Detector Maps' servers or used for anything else. You can stop at any time with Disconnect in Settings, Local backup, or by removing Detector Maps at myaccount.google.com/permissions. Backups already in your Drive stay there until you delete them.

Detector Maps' use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

iCloud Drive and folder backups: On iPhone, automatic backups are copied to your own iCloud Drive. On Android you can choose a folder on your phone or in another storage app instead of Google Drive. These copies go from your phone to storage that you control and are not sent to Detector Maps' servers.

6. User Rights & Controls

You can log into your Detector Maps account to:

• View or update your personal information
• Delete saved trails and waypoints
• Request permanent deletion of all data through app (Profile > Delete Account > type "confirm" > tap red Delete button)

7. Subscription Plans

Access to Detector Maps is provided via annual subscriptions by state:

• Explorer Monthly: $9.99
• Explorer Yearly: $99

8. Accuracy Disclaimer

User-created waypoints, markers, and trail data are not verified by Detector Maps. Use your judgment and cross-reference with official sources where necessary.

9. Data Retention

Your data is retained as long as your account is active. If your subscription expires and remains inactive for 12 months, we may delete your data after giving prior notice via email.

10. Legal Compliance (Australia Only)

Detector Maps complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect app updates or legal obligations. We will notify you of any significant changes via app notification, email, or our website. Continued use of Detector Maps implies acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or requests related to privacy, please contact:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📍 Detector Maps -- Prospect smarter, not harder