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Privacy Policy

Atlas

Effective Date: September 9, 2026 Last Updated: September 9, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Section Blue LLC ("Section Blue," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use our mobile application, Atlas (the "App"), and our website at sectionblue.app (the "Website") (collectively, the "Services").

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at [email protected].

1. Summary

  • We do not require you to create an account, and we do not ask for your name or email address to use the App.
  • Your location, if you allow it, is used on your device to place the globe where you are. It is never sent to us.
  • Your favorites, home country, and settings are stored on your device and in your own iCloud account. We operate no servers that hold them.
  • When you play a station, your device connects directly to that broadcaster's stream. The broadcaster sees the same connection information any listener's device sends, such as your IP address.
  • We use TelemetryDeck, a privacy-focused analytics service, and Apple's opt-in aggregated App Analytics to understand App usage through anonymized data, and Google Analytics on our Website.
  • Atlas Unlimited is an auto-renewing subscription processed by Apple. We use Adapty to manage subscription status; Adapty never receives your name, email, or payment details.
  • We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your information for third-party advertising.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

The App does not require an account, and we do not ask you to provide personal information such as your name, email address, or contact details to use it. If you contact us voluntarily (for example, by emailing [email protected]), we will receive the information you choose to share, such as your email address and the contents of your message.

2.2 Location

When you first open Atlas, it offers to use your location so the globe can start where you are. If you allow it, your device provides a one-time position to the App, which uses it only to move the globe. Your location is not stored by us, not sent to our servers, and not sent to any analytics service. You can decline, in which case the globe starts on the country set on your device, and you can change or revoke location access at any time in your device's Settings.

2.3 Your Favorites and Settings

Stations you favorite, your home country, the last station you played, and your preferences are stored on your device and, where iCloud is available, synced to the private iCloud database of your own Apple Account (Apple CloudKit) so they follow your devices. This data is processed by Apple under your iCloud agreement. We operate no servers of our own that hold it, and we cannot read it.

2.4 Listening to Stations

Atlas is a directory and a player. The stations themselves are broadcast by third parties. When you play a station, your device connects directly to the broadcaster's streaming server (or its streaming provider). That server receives the standard information any internet connection carries, including your IP address, the time of the connection, and how long you listened. We do not control these broadcasters, and their handling of that information is governed by their own privacy policies.

When you play a station, the App also reports the play to radio-browser.info, the community-maintained station directory the App's list is built from, so its popularity counts work. This report identifies the station, not you; like any web request, it carries your IP address, which radio-browser.info uses only to avoid counting the same play twice.

2.5 Maps and Imagery

The globe's satellite imagery, borders, and place names are loaded from Esri's ArcGIS Location Platform as you move around it, and the App fetches a small satellite image of a station's city to show as artwork when the station has no logo. Those requests carry your IP address and the map areas you view to Esri, under Esri's privacy policy at https://www.esri.com/en-us/privacy/overview.

2.6 Station Directory Updates

About once a week, the App downloads an updated station list from our server, hosted by Vercel. Standard server logs (your IP address and the time of the request) may be retained briefly by the hosting provider. The list itself contains no information about you.

2.7 Information Collected Automatically

In the App:

  • Anonymized usage data via TelemetryDeck. We use TelemetryDeck (operated by TelemetryDeck GmbH, based in Germany) to collect anonymized analytics data such as app events (for example, that a station was played, which country it was in, and whether it was found from the globe, search, or favorites), device type and model, operating system version, app version, and locale. TelemetryDeck is designed to be privacy-preserving: user identifiers are irreversibly anonymized (hashed) before the data reaches TelemetryDeck's servers, and TelemetryDeck does not store IP addresses or other directly identifying information. Analytics never include your location, the names of stations you play, or your favorites. You can learn more in TelemetryDeck's privacy policy at https://telemetrydeck.com/privacy.
  • Aggregated analytics via Apple. If you have opted in to sharing analytics with app developers in your device settings (Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements), Apple provides us with aggregated, anonymized App Analytics data (such as installs, sessions, and crash statistics). We cannot identify individual users from this data. This sharing is controlled entirely by your Apple device settings and Apple's own privacy policy.
  • Subscription data via Apple and Adapty. Atlas Unlimited is purchased and billed by Apple through your Apple Account; we do not receive your Apple ID or payment information. We use Adapty (Adapty Tech Inc., United States) to determine whether a subscription or free trial is active. Adapty receives an anonymous installation identifier generated on your device, Apple's purchase and renewal records for that installation, and basic device information (device model, operating system version, app version, locale, and IP address). Adapty does not receive your name, email address, or payment card details. You can learn more at https://adapty.io/privacy.
  • Data processed by Apple. When you download the App or subscribe, Apple processes your data under its own terms and privacy policy. Your iCloud sync of favorites and settings is processed by Apple under your iCloud agreement with Apple.

On the Website:

  • Usage data via Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to collect information about visits to sectionblue.app, including pages viewed, referring pages, approximate location, browser and device type, and interactions with the Website. Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies. You can learn how Google uses this data at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and opt out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

2.8 Shared Station Links

When you share a station from the App, the link contains only the station's identifier from the public directory. It contains nothing about you.

2.9 Cookies and Similar Technologies (Website)

Our Website uses cookies and similar technologies for analytics purposes as described above. Where required by law (including in the EU/EEA and UK), we will request your consent before setting non-essential cookies, and you may withdraw consent at any time through our cookie settings or your browser controls. The App itself does not use cookies.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information described above to:

  • Provide, operate, and maintain the Services;
  • Process and manage subscriptions and free trials;
  • Understand how the Services are used and improve features, performance, and stability;
  • Diagnose crashes and technical issues;
  • Detect and prevent fraud and abuse;
  • Respond to your inquiries and support requests;
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA, UK, and Switzerland)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we process personal data on the following legal bases:

  • Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR): to provide the App and manage your subscription and entitlements.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR): to analyze and improve the Services using anonymized analytics, ensure security, and prevent fraud, where these interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms.
  • Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): for location access in the App, and for non-essential cookies and analytics on the Website where consent is required by law. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR): to comply with applicable laws.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share information only with:

  • Service providers that process data on our behalf, including TelemetryDeck GmbH (anonymized product analytics, processed in the European Union), Adapty Tech Inc. (subscription status), Google LLC (website analytics), Vercel Inc. (hosting of the station list and this Website), and Apple Inc. (app distribution, payment processing, opt-in aggregated analytics, and iCloud sync of your favorites and settings). These providers are bound by contractual obligations to protect your data and use it only to provide services to us.
  • Third parties you connect to through the App, namely the broadcasters whose streams you play and Esri, whose imagery the globe displays. They receive connection information directly from your device, as described in Section 2, and are not our service providers.
  • Legal and safety recipients, if required to comply with applicable law, legal process, or governmental requests, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Section Blue, our users, or others.
  • Business transfer recipients, in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of all or part of our business, subject to this Privacy Policy.

6. International Data Transfers

We are based in the United States. TelemetryDeck processes App analytics data within the European Union. Other service providers (including Adapty, Google, and Vercel) may process data in the United States and other countries that may not provide the same level of data protection as your home jurisdiction. Broadcasters whose streams you play are located all over the world. Where we transfer personal data from the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we rely on appropriate safeguards, such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, and/or the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework where our service providers are certified.

7. Data Retention

We retain information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy:

  • Analytics data is retained according to the retention settings of our analytics providers and is deleted or aggregated thereafter. TelemetryDeck data is anonymized at collection and cannot be traced back to an individual.
  • Subscription records are retained by Apple and Adapty as needed to operate your subscription and for accounting, tax, and legal compliance purposes.
  • Support correspondence is retained as long as needed to resolve your inquiry and for a reasonable period thereafter.
  • Your favorites and settings are under your control: they live on your devices and in your personal iCloud, and deleting the App's data removes them. We hold no copy.

8. Your Rights

8.1 Rights for EEA, UK, and Swiss Residents (GDPR)

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you;
  • Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data;
  • Erase your data ("right to be forgotten") in certain circumstances;
  • Restrict or object to our processing of your data;
  • Data portability — receive your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format;
  • Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent;
  • Lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within the timeframes required by law. Please note that because App analytics data is anonymized at collection, we may be unable to identify data associated with you individually, and because your favorites and settings never reach us, requests concerning them are fulfilled directly by the App's own controls on your device.

8.2 Rights for California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

  • Know what categories of personal information we collect, the purposes for collection, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it (as described in this Policy);
  • Access the specific pieces of personal information we hold about you;
  • Delete personal information we have collected from you, subject to legal exceptions;
  • Correct inaccurate personal information;
  • Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information — however, we do not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising;
  • Limit the use of sensitive personal information — precise geolocation is used only on your device and is never collected by us;
  • Non-discrimination — we will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

In the preceding 12 months, we have collected the following categories of personal information as defined by the CCPA: identifiers (anonymized device identifiers, IP address), commercial information (subscription records), and internet or network activity information (app and website usage data). We collect these categories from you and your device directly, use them for the purposes described in Section 3, and disclose them to the service providers described in Section 5.

To exercise your rights, contact us at [email protected] with the subject line "California Privacy Request." We will verify your request using reasonable methods and respond within 45 days (extendable by an additional 45 days where permitted). You may designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf.

We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals on our Website where required by law.

8.3 Other U.S. State Privacy Rights

Residents of other U.S. states with comprehensive privacy laws (including Colorado, Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, and others) may have similar rights of access, correction, deletion, and portability, and the right to appeal a refusal. Contact us at [email protected] to exercise these rights or to appeal a decision.

9. Children's Privacy

The Services are intended for a general audience and are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or under the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction, up to 16 in some EEA countries). If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it.

10. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Because there is no common industry standard for DNT, our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals. We do respond to Global Privacy Control signals as described in Section 8.2.

12. Third-Party Links and Streams

The Website may contain links to third-party sites, and the App connects to third-party broadcasters. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites, broadcasters, or services. Review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last Updated" date above and, where appropriate, through the App or Website. Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

14. Contact Us

Section Blue LLC Email: [email protected] Website: https://sectionblue.app

If you are in the EEA or UK and believe we have not adequately resolved your concerns, you may contact your local data protection supervisory authority.