SwellmatesPrivacy Policy
Last updated 17 October 2026
The short version: Swellmates has no accounts. We don’t ask for your name or email, we don’t show ads, we don’t track you across apps or websites, and we never sell your data.
This policy explains what the Swellmates iPhone app (“Swellmates”, “we”) collects, why, and who it is shared with. Swellmates is operated by Swellmates.
What we collect
An anonymous install ID
When you first open the app it creates a random ID for that installation, with a secret key that stays on your phone. It isn’t linked to your name, email or Apple ID. It lets the app keep your settings and saved spots.
Your settings
Your surfing level, units, language, time zone and device platform. We use them to rate conditions for you, show times in your time zone and send notifications in your language.
Spots, alerts and feedback
The beaches you save, the alerts you set, and your answers when we ask how a session went. Feedback helps us make the ratings more accurate.
Location
If you allow it, the app uses your location on your phone to show surf spots near you. Your location is not sent to our servers. If you drop a pin to add a new spot, that pin’s coordinates are saved as a surf spot. Apple’s maps service turns map positions into place names.
Notifications
If you allow notifications, we store your device’s push token so we can send the alerts you ask for. Turning off notifications in iOS Settings stops them.
Purchases
Apple handles all payments. We never see your card or Apple ID details. To know whether you have Swellmates Pro, we use RevenueCat, which receives your anonymous install ID and your purchase records from Apple.
Who we share it with
- Hetzner (Germany): hosts our servers and database.
- RevenueCat: manages subscriptions.
- Apple and Expo: deliver push notifications.
- Open-Meteo: receives the coordinates of surf spots to fetch forecasts, never anything about you.
We don’t use advertising or third-party analytics, and we don’t sell or rent data to anyone.
How long we keep it
We keep your data while you use Swellmates. Because there’s no account, deleting the app removes the key that links your phone to it. You can also ask us to delete everything linked to your install at any time (see below).
Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or CCPA), you can ask to see, correct, export or delete your data, or object to how we use it. Email support@swellmates.app and we’ll reply within 30 days. You can also complain to your local data protection authority.
Children
Swellmates is not directed at children under 13, and we don’t knowingly collect data from them.
Changes
If we change this policy, we’ll update the date at the top. For significant changes, we’ll also tell you in the app.
Contact
Questions about privacy: support@swellmates.app