Mapmode Privacy Policy
The short version. Mapmode has no account, no ads and no analytics. We don't track you, sell your data or build a profile of you. Your location is used on your iPhone to draw the map and guide you; only what's needed to load map tiles, search places and compute routes is sent to the services listed below.
Who we are
Mapmode is published by Abstractware LLC (“we”), a company registered in the Sharjah Media City (Shams) free zone, United Arab Emirates. We are the data controller for the processing described here, under the UAE Personal Data Protection Law and, for users in the European Union, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Contact: privacy@abstractware.app.
What data is used, and why
Your location
With your permission, Mapmode uses your iPhone's location to show you on the map, follow you while you drive and guide you to a destination, including with the screen locked or on CarPlay. Your location history is not stored by us and never leaves your device except as described below. You can turn location access off at any time in Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
Map display
To draw the map, the app downloads map tiles for the area on screen from OpenFreeMap. Like any web request, this reveals your IP address and the map area being loaded to that service.
Search
When you search for a place, the text you type and your approximate location are sent to Apple's MapKit search service to find nearby results. Apple processes this under the Apple Privacy Policy.
Routes
When you start guidance, the start and destination coordinates are sent to a routing server (OSRM) to compute the route. No identifier is attached to the request.
Purchases
Payments are handled by Apple; we never see your card details or Apple Account email. To know whether you have Mapmode+, the app uses RevenueCat, which receives a random anonymous app user ID, your purchase receipts and basic device information (model, OS version, country, app version). See the RevenueCat Privacy Policy.
Settings on your device
Your preferences (map theme, night mode, sound) are stored only on your iPhone.
Services we rely on
| Service | Data | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| OpenFreeMap | IP address, map area | Map tiles |
| Apple (MapKit) | Search text, approximate location | Place search |
| OSRM routing server | Start and destination coordinates | Route calculation |
| RevenueCat | Anonymous ID, purchases, device info | Subscription status |
Some of these providers may process data outside the EU, under safeguards such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
Legal bases
- Performance of a contract: showing the map, guidance and providing Mapmode+ you paid for.
- Consent: location access, which you grant and can withdraw in iOS Settings.
Retention
We keep no location or search history. RevenueCat keeps purchase records as long as needed to provide your purchases and meet legal accounting obligations.
Your rights
You can ask to access, correct or delete your data, object to or restrict its processing, and receive a copy of it. Because we don't hold an account for you, include your RevenueCat app user ID if you have it, or simply email us and we'll help. You can also complain to the data protection authority of your country; in France, for example, the CNIL.
Tracking and ads
Mapmode does not track you across apps or websites, does not use advertising identifiers and does not show ads.
Children
Mapmode is not directed to children under 13 and we don't knowingly collect their data.
Changes
If this policy changes, we'll update this page and the date above. Significant changes will be announced in the app.