Last updated: August 16, 2026
The Crater Report (“we”, “us”, “the app”) is a community road-hazard reporting and navigation app. This policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, and what choices you have.
Information we collect
Account information. When you create an account we collect your email address and a password. Passwords are handled by Google Firebase Authentication and are never visible to us.
Location. We collect your device’s location to show road hazards near you, to place the reports you submit, and to provide turn-by-turn navigation. While you are actively navigating, we collect location in the background so we can continue giving you spoken turn and hazard alerts when your screen is off or you are using another app. Background location collection stops when navigation ends.
Content you submit. This includes hazard reports, the photos you attach to them, community notes, your chosen username, your profile photo, and monthly photo contest entries. Hazard reports, photos, usernames, and notes are visible to other users of the app.
Usage and gameplay data. We store points, badges, streaks, reporting history, and leaderboard standing so your progress persists across devices.
How we use your information
We use this information only to operate the app: to show you nearby hazards, to provide navigation and spoken alerts, to attribute reports and contest entries, to maintain the leaderboard, and to respond to support requests and content reports.
Reports sent to public agencies
The reports you submit are compiled into a weekly notice emailed to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Every report filed during the previous week is included, covering road damage and the other hazard types the app supports.
For each report the notice contains the street and city, the hazard type, the GPS coordinates, a map link to that position, any note you wrote, and whether a photo was attached. It does not contain your username, your email address, or your account identifier, so the reports in that notice are not attributed to you.
Because report notes are shared both with other users and in this notice, please do not put personal information in them.
What we do not do
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share it with data brokers or advertisers. We do not use your data for advertising or cross-app tracking, and the app contains no third-party advertising, analytics, or tracking SDKs.
Service providers
We use Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore, and Cloud Storage) to store accounts and content, and the Google Maps Platform to provide maps, geocoding, and directions. Their handling of data is governed by Google’s privacy policy.
Community content and moderation
Content posted by users is visible to other users. You can report objectionable content from any hazard report or contest photo, and you can block another user so their content no longer appears for you. We review reported content within 24 hours and remove content that violates our guidelines, and we may suspend accounts that repeatedly post such content.
Your choices and rights
Delete your account. You can permanently delete your account at any time from Profile → Account & Safety → Delete Account. This removes your account, your reports, your uploaded photos, your contest entries, and your leaderboard record. Deletion is immediate and cannot be undone.
Location permission. You can revoke location access at any time in iOS or Android settings. The app’s navigation and nearby-hazard features will not function without it.
Access your data. Email us at the address below to request a copy of the personal information associated with your account.
Children
The Crater Report is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Data retention
We keep your account data until you delete your account. Hazard reports may remain on the map after deletion of the reporting account only in aggregate, de-identified form.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy we will update the date at the top of this page and, where the change is significant, notify you in the app.
Contact
Questions, data requests, or content concerns: thecraterreport@gmail.com