Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 12, 2026

1. Overview

Lightning Tracker is a weather app that shows lightning strikes, storm activity, radar, forecasts, and related alerts. To provide these features, the App may collect and process location information, device identifiers, subscription status, and usage data. Some processing happens on our servers; some happens through third-party services listed below.

2. Information We Collect

A. Information you provide

• Saved alert locations (name/label, coordinates, alert radius, quiet hours)
• Support emails you send us

B. Information collected automatically

• Approximate or precise location, depending on the permissions you grant
• Device identifier (a random ID generated by the App)
• Push notification token
• App platform (iOS, macOS, or watchOS)
• Subscription status (whether you have an active Premium subscription)
• Time zone offset
• App interactions and feature usage (for example: screens viewed, layers selected, purchases, restores, alert changes)
• Crash and diagnostic data (iOS)
• Apple Search Ads attribution identifiers (campaign, ad group, and keyword IDs), if available from Apple's on-device attribution API

C. Information sent when you use map and weather features

When you view lightning, radar, forecasts, or severe weather information, the App sends query coordinates (latitude/longitude), map area, and related parameters to our backend at api-weather.34apps.com. Our servers use that information to retrieve weather and lightning data for the area you are viewing or monitoring.

D. Information we do not intentionally collect

• Your name, email address, or phone number (unless you email us)
• Photos, contacts, or messages
• Payment card details (payments are handled by Apple)

3. How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

• Show lightning strikes, radar, forecasts, and severe weather near you or areas you browse
• Calculate distance, direction, and storm-related estimates
• Send push notifications for lightning near your saved alert locations (if enabled)
• Provide widgets, Apple Watch, and Mac menu bar updates
• Process and validate subscriptions
• Operate, maintain, secure, and improve the App
• Measure app performance, diagnose crashes, and understand feature usage
• Attribute installs to advertising campaigns

4. Location Information

The App uses location to:

• Center the map on your position
• Show nearest-strike distance and related information
• Monitor saved alert locations for push notifications

You can use some features without granting location access, but personalized nearby information and location-based alerts will be limited.

Location permissions are controlled in your device settings. If you enable "Always" location access, the App can support background alert monitoring for saved locations, as described in the App.

5. Push Notifications

If you enable notifications and register alert locations, we store your push token, device identifier, saved locations, alert settings, subscription status, and time zone on our servers so we can send lightning alerts. You can disable notifications in your device settings or remove alert locations in the App.

6. Subscriptions and Purchases

Purchases are processed by Apple through the App Store. We do not receive your full payment details.

We use RevenueCat to manage subscription entitlements. RevenueCat receives your device identifier and purchase/entitlement status. Apple is the merchant of record for App Store purchases.

7. Analytics, Crash Reporting, and Security

We use third-party services that may receive device and usage information, including:

• Mixpanel (product analytics)
• Google Firebase Analytics (analytics and conversion reporting)
• Firebase Crashlytics (crash reporting on iOS)
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (push delivery)
• Firebase App Check (helps verify requests come from genuine App builds)
• RevenueCat (subscription management and subscriber attributes)

These providers process data on our behalf to help us operate and improve the App.

8. Third-Party Weather and Map Data

Weather and lightning data shown in the App comes from third-party sources accessed through our backend, which may include providers such as:

• Lightning detection networks and satellite lightning data
• Radar imagery providers
• Forecast providers (including Open-Meteo)
• Official severe weather alert sources (such as national weather services)

When you request map or weather data, our servers query these providers using the coordinates and parameters needed to serve your request. Those providers have their own privacy practices.

9. Apple Watch, Widgets, and Mac

If you use the Apple Watch app, widgets, Live Activities, or Mac menu bar features, strike and subscription status information may be shared between your devices through Apple's system services (such as WatchConnectivity and App Groups) so those surfaces can display current information.

10. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as needed to provide the App and its features, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Device and alert registration data may be removed or stop being actively monitored if you delete alert locations, disable notifications, uninstall the App, or if your device is inactive for an extended period.

11. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share information:

• With service providers that help us operate the App (hosting, analytics, push delivery, subscription management)
• With weather and map data providers as needed to fulfill your requests
• If required by law or to protect rights, safety, and security
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale

12. International Users

If you use the App outside your home country, your information may be processed in countries where we or our service providers operate. Those countries may have different data protection laws than your country.

If you are in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of your personal data, and to object to or withdraw consent for certain processing, subject to applicable law.

13. Children

The App is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

14. Your Choices

You can:

• Deny or limit location access in device settings
• Turn off push notifications in device settings
• Delete saved alert locations in the App
• Manage subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings
• Email us at info@34apps.com with privacy requests

15. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new "Last updated" date. Continued use of the App after changes means you accept the updated policy.

17. Contact Us