NightFall Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 19, 2026
NightFall (Chinese name: 夜幕·观星地图, the "App") is developed and provided by [Developer Name] ("we" or "us"). We take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what information the App handles, how it is handled, and what controls you have. Please read it carefully before using the App.
In one sentence: the App has no accounts, runs no servers of its own, shows no ads, includes no analytics SDKs, and does no tracking. Your favorites are stored only on your own device.
1. Information We Handle
| Information | Purpose | Leaves your device? |
|---|---|---|
| Location (while using the App) | Locate your current position, use it as the departure point for driving distance and time, and show your position on the map and star chart | No — processed on your device only; never uploaded or stored by us |
| Device motion and orientation | Let the star chart rotate as you point your phone | No — processed on your device in real time |
| Place-name search queries | Look up places via Apple's Maps service | Yes — sent to Apple (see Section 3) |
| Favorites and settings | Save your favorite places, map layers, and display preferences | No — stored locally on your device only |
Other than the above, the App collects no personal information.
2. Location and Motion Data
Location. With your permission, the App accesses your precise location only while it is in use, solely to:
- locate and show your current position on the map;
- use your position as the departure point to calculate driving distance and estimated time to a favorite or selected place;
- sample light pollution around you in the star chart, so the brightness of the horizon is shown per direction.
Location is processed on your device only: it is never uploaded to any server, never logged, never shared with any third party, and never used to track you or target ads. You can change or revoke permission at any time in Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services. Denying location does not affect core features — you can still browse the light pollution map and star chart by dragging the map manually or choosing a city.
Motion and orientation. The star chart uses your device's motion sensors so the sky follows the direction your phone is pointing. This data is processed on your device in real time; it is never stored or transmitted.
3. Third-Party Services
The App runs no servers of its own, but the following features involve third-party services whose data practices are governed by their own privacy policies:
- Apple Maps (MapKit): The base map is provided by Apple, and place-name searches you type are looked up through Apple's Maps search service. These requests expose your IP address and the requested map area or search text to Apple. The App attaches no user identifiers and does not save your search history. See Apple's Privacy Policy for Apple's data practices.
- Navigation hand-off: When you tap a navigation button and choose Amap, Baidu Maps, Google Maps, or Apple Maps, the App passes the destination coordinates to the app you selected; all subsequent handling is governed by that app and its privacy policy.
- App Store and iCloud: Downloads and system services are provided by Apple and processed under Apple's terms.
The light pollution map data (based on NOAA VIIRS annual night lights and the Light Pollution Atlas) is bundled offline inside the App; the star chart, terrain, and elevation data are offline as well. Using these features generates no network requests.
4. What We Do Not Do
- We do not collect device identifiers (such as IDFA) and do not request unrelated permissions such as contacts or photo library.
- We include no advertising, analytics, or crash-reporting SDKs.
- We build no user profiles and perform no cross-app or cross-site tracking.
- We do not sell or rent data — because we do not have your data.
5. Storage and Retention
- Local storage: Your favorites and settings are stored only on your device. Uninstalling the App erases them completely; we hold no copies.
- Caches: Map data may be cached locally and is cleared when you delete the App.
- iCloud sync: Syncing favorites across your devices via iCloud is a planned feature. If a future version enables it, the data will be encrypted and synced by Apple through your own iCloud account; we will be unable to read it, and this policy will be updated before that feature ships.
6. Children
The App is not directed at children and does not knowingly collect any personal information, including from anyone under the age of 14. If you believe otherwise, please contact us as described below.
7. Your Rights
- Access and deletion: Your data lives on your own device — delete favorites within the App at any time, or uninstall the App to erase everything.
- Permission control: Permissions such as location can be granted or revoked at any time in system Settings.
- Legal basis: We process information under the minimum-necessary principle consistent with applicable laws, including the Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China. For users in the European Economic Area: because we do not collect or process your personal data off your device, we are generally not a controller of your personal data; if you still have a request, please contact us.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the App evolves and will post changes on this page with a new effective date. Material changes will also be highlighted in the App or in release notes.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, suggestions, or privacy-related requests, contact us at:
Email: [Contact Email]
Developer: [Developer Name]