🚗 Lookout — Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Lookout ("the App"), a community-driven road pothole reporting application. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it when you use Lookout on your Android device.

By creating an account or using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the App.

2. Information We Collect

a) Account Information (Firebase Authentication)

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address — used to create and identify your account, and to send password reset emails if requested
• Display name — optionally provided during sign-up; shown alongside your pothole reports
• Password — stored securely as a one-way hash by Firebase Authentication. We never have access to your plain-text password
• User ID (UID) — a unique identifier automatically generated by Firebase for your account

b) Pothole Report Data

When you submit a pothole report, we collect:

• GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the reported pothole location
• Severity level — the severity rating you assign (e.g. minor, major)
• Location description — a text description of the road or area
• Sub-location — optional additional location detail
• Reporter name or email — your display name or email, attached to the report so other users know who submitted it
• Timestamps — when the report was created and last updated
• Confirmation data — when other users confirm your report, a count and list of confirming user IDs is stored

c) Location Data (GPS)

Precise GPS location is accessed only when you actively submit a pothole report or when the App is open and navigating the map. We use your location to place the report accurately on the map and to show nearby potholes. We do not track your location continuously or in the background.

d) What We Do NOT Collect

Lookout does not collect any of the following:

• Phone number
• Photos or camera data
• Contacts or call logs
• Messages or notifications content
• Accelerometer, gyroscope, or any other motion sensor data
• Browsing history or data from other apps
• Payment or financial information

3. How We Use Your Information

• To create and manage your Lookout account
• To submit, display, and confirm pothole reports on the community map
• To attribute reports to your account so you can track your own submissions
• To send password reset emails when you request them
• To deduplicate nearby reports so the map stays accurate
• To allow the community to confirm existing reports

We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to road reporting.

4. Data Storage & Security

All account and pothole data is stored in Google Firebase (Firebase Authentication and Firestore), a cloud service operated by Google LLC. Data is stored in the United States by default. Firebase enforces encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest.

Passwords are hashed by Firebase and are never visible to us. Your UID and email are stored securely and only accessed to operate the App's features.

A local cache of pothole data is stored on your device (via AsyncStorage) so the App loads faster. This cache contains only public pothole report data — no account credentials.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal data to third parties. Data may be shared only in these limited circumstances:

• Google Firebase — as our authentication and database infrastructure provider. Google's privacy policy governs their handling of data stored in Firebase
• Other app users — your display name (or email if no name is set) and pothole reports are visible to other Lookout users on the community map, as this is core to the App's purpose
• Legal requirements — if required by law, court order, or government authority

6. Data Retention

Your account data is retained for as long as your account is active. Pothole reports are retained indefinitely to maintain the road quality database, unless marked as resolved or deleted upon request. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us — we will process the request within 30 days.

7. Children's Privacy

Lookout is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has created an account, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

8. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Access — request a copy of data associated with your account
• Deletion — request deletion of your account and all associated reports
• Correction — request correction of inaccurate information
• Opt-out — stop using the App and request account deletion at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email address in Section 10.

9. Permissions Explained

Lookout requests the following device permissions:

• Precise Location (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) — required to accurately place your pothole report on the map and to show potholes near your current location. Location is only accessed while the App is open and in use. We do not access location in the background.
• Internet access — required to sync reports and account data with Firebase and to display the map.
• Notifications (optional) — used to alert you when you are near a reported pothole. You can disable this in your device settings at any time.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact us at:

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the App after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.