Privacy Policy
At the Kentucky Coffee Trail, we believe transparency is the foundation of trust. We want you to feel completely comfortable using our app to explore local coffee shops, connect with the community, and track your journey. Here is exactly what data we collect, why we need it, and how it makes your experience better.
Account & Profile Information
What we collect: Your name, email address, display name, age verification status (whether you are 18 or older), and avatar customizations.
Why we need it: To create and manage your account, secure your data, and allow you to personalize your presence in the community. Your email is used for login and important account notifications. Your age verification status is used to disable social features for minors to ensure their safety.
Location Data (GPS)
What we collect: Your precise GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) only at the exact moment you scan a QR code to check in at a coffee shop.
Why we need it: To verify that you are physically present at the coffee shop when claiming your visit. This prevents cheating and ensures the integrity of the trail's reward system. We do not track your location in the background or when you are just browsing the app.
Camera & Photos
What we collect: Access to your device's camera and photo library (only when you explicitly grant permission). Images you choose to upload.
Why we need it: The camera is required to scan the unique QR codes located at participating coffee shops to record your visits. Photo access is used if you choose to upload a custom profile picture or attach photos to your community posts and reviews.
Community Interactions & Content
What we collect: The content of your posts, comments, shop reviews, direct messages, and likes.
Why we need it: To facilitate the social features of the app. Public posts and reviews help other users discover great coffee. Direct messages are stored securely to allow private communication between trail members.
Trail Progress & Activity
What we collect: A log of the shops you've visited, badges earned, XP gained, and side quests completed.
Why we need it: This is the core functionality of the digital passport! We store this data to track your progress, award your digital beans and badges, and maintain the public leaderboards.
Device & System Logs
What we collect: Basic device information (like OS version), IP address, and app usage logs.
Why we need it: To diagnose bugs, fix crashes, ensure the security of our systems, and understand generally how the app is being used so we can improve the experience.
How We Protect Your Data
We implement industry-standard security measures, including encryption in transit (HTTPS) and secure database storage, to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. We do not sell your personal data to third parties.
Your Control
You have full control over your data. You can edit your profile information, delete your posts or reviews, and manage your privacy settings directly within the app. If you ever wish to leave the trail, you can permanently delete your account and all associated data from the Profile settings menu.
If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please contact us through the app or website.