Last Updated: April 15, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how Stepa Mobile FZE LLC collects, uses, and shares your personal information through the Aurora Forecast Map & KP Index application. We are committed to ensuring your digital safety and transparency regarding data processing. By using the Application, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. This document is designed to meet international standards including GDPR, CCPA, and Apple’s App Store requirements.
Stepa Mobile FZE LLC acts as the primary data controller for all personal information processed. We establish the purposes and means of processing your data to provide a seamless astronomical experience. Our legal department ensures that all data handling aligns with global transparency requirements and user rights. We take full responsibility for the security of the information processed through our systems. You may contact us regarding your data at [email protected].
We process your personal data based on your explicit consent and the necessity of performing our contract with you. By installing the app, you provide us with the authority to process your data for sky tracking services. We also process data based on our legitimate interests in improving our AI models and securing our infrastructure. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time through the application settings. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
To provide accurate tracking of stars and planets, we must collect your precise geolocation coordinates. This data is essential for the AI to calculate the exact position of celestial bodies relative to your horizon. We use GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular tower information to determine your location with high accuracy. This data may be processed in the background to send you notifications about upcoming astronomical events. You can control or disable location tracking through your device’s system privacy settings at any time.
Aurora Forecast Map & KP Index utilizes Artificial Intelligence to analyze sky conditions and identify astronomical objects. Our models process sensor data to orient the sky map correctly for your specific perspective. This processing is designed to be privacy-centric, focusing on technical data rather than direct personal identifiers. We use anonymized telemetry from these sessions to improve the accuracy of our neural networks for all users. The AI does not engage in behavioral monitoring or personal profiling beyond astronomical utility.
The app requires access to your device’s camera for Augmented Reality (AR) features and object detection. The camera feed is used to overlay digital data onto the real-world view of the sky in real-time. Our AI analyzes the frames to detect constellations and celestial phenomena without storing raw video. We do not record or store your private video feed or photos on our servers without your explicit action. You can revoke camera permissions at any time, though this will disable all AR-related functionalities.
To send timely alerts about meteor showers or satellite passes, we collect a unique push notification token. This token is an anonymized string provided by Apple and does not contain your name or email. It allows our servers to communicate specifically with your device when an event is detected in your area. We do not share these tokens with third-party advertisers or use them for marketing spam. You can manage your notification preferences or opt-out entirely within the Application’s settings menu.
Our servers automatically collect technical metadata such as hardware model, OS version, and unique device identifiers. This information is vital for diagnosing technical bugs and optimizing performance across different hardware. Log data also includes the time and date of app usage and internal system crash reports. We use this data to ensure the AI runs smoothly and to prevent system failures during critical events. Technical logs are typically stored for a short duration before being aggregated or deleted.
We use third-party tools like Google Firebase to understand how users interact with the Application. These services collect pseudonymized data regarding feature usage, screen transitions, and session length. This helps us prioritize which astronomical features to develop next and fix technical bottlenecks. These analytics providers are prohibited from sharing your data with other parties for their own purposes. You can opt-out of analytics tracking through the "Privacy" section of the app’s internal settings.
We retain your personal data only for as long as it is necessary to provide the services you have requested. Technical logs are generally deleted after 90 days, while anonymized AI telemetry may be kept longer for training. If you choose to delete your account, we will purge your personal information from our active databases within 30 days. Some data may remain in encrypted backups for a limited period to comply with legal obligations. We follow the principle of data minimization, ensuring we only store what is required.
Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) have specific rights under the GDPR regarding their data. These include the right to access, rectification, and the right to data portability. You also have the right to object to the processing of your data or request that we restrict its use. We have appointed a compliance team to ensure our practices meet these rigorous European standards. If you believe your rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
California residents have the right to request disclosure of the specific pieces of information we have collected. You also have the right to request the deletion of your personal information and to opt-out of the sale of data. We do not sell your personal data to third parties for monetary compensation or advertising revenue. To exercise your CCPA rights, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject "CCPA Request." We will verify your identity before processing the request to protect your security.
Aurora Forecast Map & KP Index is not directed at children under the age of 13 and we do not knowingly collect their data. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately. We encourage parents to be involved in their children's digital activities to prevent unauthorized data sharing. Our service is designed for a general audience with an interest in science and astronomy. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a minor, please reach out to our support team.
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. All sensitive data is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and encrypted in our databases. We use firewalls and intrusion detection systems to prevent unauthorized access to our secure servers. Only a limited number of authorized personnel have access to these systems, and they are bound by confidentiality. Despite our best efforts, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure.
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own by our cloud providers. These countries may have different data protection laws than your home jurisdiction. We ensure that any international transfer of data is protected by appropriate legal safeguards and encryption. By using the Application, you consent to the transfer of your information to our servers located worldwide. We maintain consistent privacy standards regardless of where the data is being processed or stored.
The Application uses local storage and cookies to remember your preferences and session state. These technologies allow the AI to remember your favorite constellations and custom alert thresholds between uses. We do not use these technologies to track your activity on other websites or external applications. You can clear your local storage at any time through device settings, though this may reset your preferences. We only use these tools to enhance the functional experience of the sky tracker during observation.
The Application may contain links to external websites such as NASA or other astronomical portals. These third-party sites have their own independent privacy policies which we do not control. We are not responsible for the content or activities of these linked sites once you leave our App. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of any website you visit via an external link from our service. Our inclusion of these links is for educational enrichment and does not imply an endorsement of their data practices.
To support development, we may display ads served by third-party networks using non-personal identifiers. These partners may collect device-level info to show ads of interest to you while using the Application. We do not share your name, email, or precise geolocation with these advertising partners. You may have the option to upgrade to a premium version to remove all advertisements from the experience. We select advertising partners who demonstrate a commitment to user privacy and ethical data standards.
We may update our Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our services or evolving legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes through an in-app alert or by updating the date at the top. Continued use of the Application after the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the new policy. We recommend that you review this policy periodically to stay informed about our data protection efforts. If you do not agree to the updated terms, you must stop using the app and delete your account.
You have the right to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you in a structured format. This allows you to transfer your data to another service provider if you choose to do so. To request a data export, please send an email to our support team with the subject "Data Portability." We will provide the data within the timeframe required by law, usually 30 days. We may ask for additional information to verify your identity before releasing any data reports to protect your privacy.
Our AI models use automated processing to provide sky tracking and event notifications to you. However, we do not use automated decision-making that has legal or similarly significant effects on users. The AI’s role is strictly limited to astronomical calculations and providing educational information based on data. We do not use your data to automatically determine eligibility for sensitive services or outcomes. Our algorithms are designed for scientific accuracy and user engagement rather than making life-impacting decisions.
We may aggregate collected data to create statistical reports on astronomical activity and app usage. This aggregated information does not identify any individual user and may be shared with scientific projects. By stripping away personal identifiers, we contribute to the astronomical community while maintaining your anonymity. We ensure that the re-identification of any user from these data sets is technically impossible. This process is essential for high-level AI model validation and global astronomical research studies.
Images captured and saved within the App are treated as your private property on your device. We do not automatically upload these images to our servers without your explicit consent or action. Even if you choose to share them, we take steps to remove sensitive metadata that could identify your location. You retain all ownership rights over the celestial photography you produce using our tools. We act only as a facilitator for your observation and do not claim rights to your creative astronomical works.
We process technical data to detect and prevent fraudulent activity or attempts to bypass our security. This involves monitoring patterns of app usage that deviate from standard human behavior to protect our assets. Protecting our technical infrastructure is a legitimate interest that ensures a stable environment for all users. We may temporarily log IP addresses that exhibit aggressive or harmful behavior toward our servers. These security logs are kept separate from your personal astronomical profile to ensure privacy.
The Application sends silent telemetry reports to our team to monitor the health of the AI engine. These reports contain information about frame rates, memory usage, and identification speeds. This data is strictly technical and does not contain geolocation or direct personal details of the user. By analyzing telemetry, we can push silent updates that fix performance issues before they affect your sky tracking. This is crucial for maintaining the high-speed processing required for real-time Augmented Reality features.
Stepa Mobile FZE LLC explicitly states that we do not collect, store, or process any biometric data. The camera access is used solely for optical spatial orientation and celestial object recognition. We do not use facial recognition, iris scanning, or any other form of biological identification within the App. Your physical identity remains completely unknown to our systems and our AI algorithms. We believe that astronomical observation should be a secure, anonymous, and educational experience for everyone.
Aurora Forecast Map & KP Index does not require or request access to your device’s microphone for any features. We do not record, listen to, or process any audio data from your environment or conversations. Our AI is focused entirely on visual and spatial data for the purpose of celestial tracking and alerts. We respect the sanctity of your private surroundings and ensure the app remains "silent" regarding audio. Any future features requiring audio will be introduced only with your explicit, informed consent and opt-in.
You have the right to request a full report of the data points we have associated with your device. To initiate a Data Subject Access Request, please contact [email protected] with proof of identity. We will provide this report in a clear and understandable format within the statutory period allowed. This process allows you to verify exactly how your data is being used by our astronomical systems. We believe every user should have full transparency regarding their digital footprint within our application.
If you believe that any information we hold about you is incorrect, you have the right to request a correction. This applies to custom coordinates or preferences that may no longer be accurate for your location. You can update most of this information directly within the App’s profile and settings menu. For data that is not user-editable, our support team will perform the correction manually upon your request. Ensuring the accuracy of our databases is a shared interest for the Company and our astronomical community.
You have the right to request that we stop processing your data while leaving your account active. This "restriction" might apply if you are contesting the accuracy of your data or objecting to a specific feature. During the restriction period, we will only store the data and not use it for further AI calculations. This is a temporary measure that allows for the thorough resolution of your privacy concerns. You can request a restriction by reaching out to our compliance team via our official support email channel.
You have the right to object to any form of automated profiling that might occur during your use of the App. We ensure that our AI does not create a personal "user profile" for the purpose of external sale. If you feel that personalized suggestions are intrusive, you can opt-out of such features in the settings. We respect your right to a neutral app experience without excessive algorithmic interference. Your objection will be respected without any loss of the core sky tracking and notification functionality.
When we update this Privacy Policy, we use a multi-channel approach to inform our active users. This includes in-app banners, push notifications, and updates to the "Last Updated" date on this page. We provide a summary of the changes so you can stay informed without reading the entire document again. You will always have at least 14 days to review changes before they take effect for existing accounts. Transparency in our rules is a cornerstone of our relationship with the global astronomical community.
We may be legally compelled to share certain data with authorities if presented with a valid court order. In such cases, we only provide the specific data requested and nothing more to the legal entity. We will attempt to notify you of such requests unless prohibited by law or a specific legal order. Our legal team reviews every request to ensure it meets the highest standards of validity and necessity. Мы do not provide bulk access to user data to any government agency or external organization.
In the event of a merger or sale of assets, your data will continue to be protected under this Privacy Policy. The acquiring entity will be legally bound to uphold these privacy standards until a new policy is issued. You will have the option to delete your data before any such corporate transition occurs. We ensure that business changes do not lead to a privacy vacuum for our astronomical users. We will keep you informed of any major changes in company ownership through our official communication channels.
The Application is designed to work partially offline to protect your data and device battery. While in offline mode, any data collected is stored only on your local device memory. This data is only synchronized with our secure servers once a stable connection is established by the user. This hybrid approach minimizes the amount of time your data is in transit over the internet. You can choose to use the app in Local Only mode, although this will naturally disable some cloud-based AI notifications.
Access to user data is strictly limited to a small number of employees who need it for technical support. All such employees are bound by rigorous non-disclosure agreements and receive privacy training. Any unauthorized access to user data by an employee is grounds for immediate termination and legal action. We maintain an internal audit trail of all database access to ensure employee accountability. This internal protocol ensures that your information is treated as a professional secret at all times.
We have integrated privacy features into the core architecture of the Aurora Forecast Map & KP Index application. This "Privacy by Design" approach means every AI feature is vetted for privacy risks before development begins. We default to the most privacy-friendly settings for all new users joining our community. Our development cycle includes a Privacy Impact Assessment for all major software updates and releases. By building privacy into the foundation, we ensure long-term security for your astronomical data.
We collect metadata such as time zone, language settings, and app version to deliver localized sky content. This information is considered non-identifiable as it cannot pinpoint you as a specific individual. We use this to ensure the AI understands your local time for celestial event alerts and notifications. Metadata is essential for providing a high-quality global experience to users in different regions. We do not combine this metadata with other sources to attempt to de-anonymize any of our users.
In extremely rare cases involving immediate threats to life, we may share location data with emergency services. An example would be a localized natural disaster where users might be in danger while stargazing. Such disclosures are made only in good faith and with the primary goal of saving human lives. We document every such instance and review it for compliance with our ethical and legal standards. Your safety is our only priority that can ever outweigh our standard user privacy protocols.
When the App communicates with external astronomical APIs, it does so using secure, encrypted tokens. We do not pass your personal account info or precise GPS to these third parties in an unencrypted format. We use "fuzzy" location data when requesting general weather or satellite info from external providers. This ensures that third-party providers can give you the data you need without knowing your exact spot. We act as a protective layer between your device and the broader astronomical data internet.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please reach out to us. Our dedicated privacy team is ready to assist you in understanding your rights and our obligations. You can contact us via email at [email protected]. Stepa Mobile FZE LLC is committed to maintaining the highest level of trust with our astronomical community. Thank you for choosing Aurora Forecast Map & KP Index as your guide to the wonders of the universe. Your privacy is our priority.