Ancient Side ("we", "our", or "the app") is a mobile application designed to help visitors explore the ancient city of Side, Turkey. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Location Data
The app requests access to your device's precise GPS location. Location data is used exclusively on your device for the following purposes:
- Displaying your position on the in-app map
- Calculating distances to nearby ancient structures
- Triggering proximity alerts when you approach a structure
- Generating walking routes within the ancient city
1.2 Usage Analytics
We use Firebase Analytics (Google LLC) to understand how users interact with the app. Analytics collection is disabled entirely in debug builds. In production, we collect anonymized event metadata such as:
- Screens viewed and features used (e.g., map layer changes, audio narration started)
- Language selected
- AI assistant session metadata (message count, duration, error type — not the content of your questions or AI responses)
No personally identifiable information (name, email, phone number, etc.) is associated with analytics events.
1.3 Crash Reports
We use Firebase Crashlytics (Google LLC) to receive automatic crash reports. These reports include device model, OS version, app version, and a stack trace of the crash. Crash reporting is also disabled in debug mode. No location data or message content is included in crash reports.
1.4 AI Assistant (Apoll-AI)
When you use the Apoll-AI chat feature, the text of your questions is sent to Google Gemini Developer API via Firebase AI Logic in order to generate responses. These requests are processed by Google in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy.
We do not log or store the content of your questions or AI-generated responses on our own servers. Session history is kept in memory only and cleared after 30 minutes of inactivity.
1.5 Walking Routes — OpenRouteService
When you request a walking route, the starting coordinates (your GPS location) and destination coordinates (center points of selected ancient structures) are sent to OpenRouteService solely to calculate route geometry. No personally identifiable information is attached to these requests. See OpenRouteService Privacy Policy for details.
1.6 Map Tiles
The base map is powered by OpenStreetMap tile servers. Loading map tiles may send your approximate viewport coordinates to tile servers as part of standard HTTP requests. See OpenStreetMap Foundation Privacy Policy.
1.7 Local Storage
The following data is stored only on your device (via SharedPreferences) and is never transmitted to our servers:
| Data | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Visited location IDs | Track which structures you have visited |
| Onboarding completion flag | Show the welcome tour only once |
| Proximity alert cooldown timestamps | Prevent repeated alerts for the same structure |
| History Portal progress (last location ID) | Resume the guided tour where you left off |
| Daily usage counters (AI & routing) | Enforce daily quota limits |
2. Information We Do Not Collect
- Name, email address, phone number, or any account credentials
- Payment or financial information
- Contacts, photos, or files from your device
- Microphone or camera input
- Device identifiers beyond what Firebase SDKs collect by default
3. Third-Party Services
| Service | Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Analytics | Google LLC | Usage analytics |
| Firebase Crashlytics | Google LLC | Crash reporting |
| Firebase Remote Config | Google LLC | Feature flags & maintenance mode |
| Firebase AI Logic / Gemini | Google LLC | AI assistant responses |
| OpenRouteService | HeiGIT / Uni Heidelberg | Walking route geometry |
| OpenStreetMap | OSMF | Map tile rendering |
4. Children's Privacy
Ancient Side does not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. The app contains no age-gating features and does not require account creation.
5. Data Retention
Local data stored on your device remains until you uninstall the app or clear its data via your device settings. Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics data is retained according to Google's standard retention policies (typically up to 14 months for Analytics events). AI session data is cleared from memory after 30 minutes of inactivity.
6. Your Rights
Since we do not collect personally identifiable information on our own servers, there is no user profile to access, correct, or delete. You can:
- Clear all locally stored data by uninstalling the app
- Revoke location permission at any time in your device settings; core map features remain functional but proximity alerts and routing require location access
- Opt out of Firebase Analytics data collection by contacting us (see Section 8)
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the app after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
8. Contact
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
yusufkecer007@gmail.com