Patch ("we", "us") is a free dog walking app and the website at claimyourpatch.app. This policy explains what we collect, why, and the choices you have.
If you have questions, email hello@claimyourpatch.app.
Who we are
Patch is operated for the Patch mobile apps (iOS and Android) and this marketing site. The apps let you record walks, claim territory on a map, join packs, pin sniff spots, and optionally appear on leaderboards.
Information we collect
Account
When you open the app we create an anonymous account on your device. We do not ask for an email address or password to start. That account ID is how we store your dog, walks, and settings.
If you later use email, Apple, or Google sign-in, or you apply to the Creator Program on the website, we will also store the email address you give us.
Dog profile
You choose what to add. We may store your dog's name, breed, photo, claim colour, neighbourhood, birth date, and weight (used for movement goals).
Location and walks
We use location in two different ways. This is the part store reviewers care about.
While Patch is open (When In Use). We use your location to show you on the map and to find nearby sniff spots and packs. That happens even if you are not recording a walk.
During a walk. When you tap Go walkies we record a GPS trace (points with time and accuracy) so we can mark the streets your dog covers. If you allow activity access we also store a step count from the phone, used to check that the walk looks like a real walk.
Always / All the time. We only need this while a walk is running, so the route keeps recording with the phone in your pocket or the screen locked. On Android a persistent "walk in progress" notification is shown for that period. We stop background location when you tap End walk. We do not record walks in the background when no walk is in progress.
If you refuse Always, you can still walk with the app open. The route may pause if you lock the phone.
Walk traces are sent to our territory service and stored with your account.
Photos
You may upload a photo of your dog and photos of sniff spots you pin. Sniff-spot photos are visible to other people using Patch in that area.
Settings and activity in the app
We store settings you choose: solo mode, steal alerts, whether you appear on the public leaderboard, and distance units.
We may store product events such as "walk started" or "sniff spot added" so we can see what is broken or unused. Those events do not include your GPS trace.
Purchases
If you buy Patch Plus, Apple or Google send us a purchase token so we can unlock Plus. We do not see your card number or App Store / Play account password.
Notifications
If steal alerts are on and you allow notifications, we store a push token so we can tell you when another dog re-marks a street you held. You can turn this off in Settings.
Map tiles
The map loads map tiles from OpenStreetMap-based servers (including OpenFreeMap / OpenMapTiles). Those requests include your IP address and the map area you are looking at. We show OpenStreetMap attribution on the map.
Website
This site may collect standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages visited) and anything you type into a form, such as a Creator Program application.
Crash reports
If crash reporting is switched on, a crash may send us a stack trace, app version, device model, and OS version so we can fix the bug. We do not use this to advertise to you.
How we use information
- Provide the map, territory, packs, leaderboards, sniff spots, and walk record
- Keep your account signed in on this device and restore Plus if you paid
- Check that walks look like real walks (pace and step data)
- Send steal alerts you have turned on
- Fix crashes and keep the service reliable
- Reply when you email us or apply to the Creator Program
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your walk traces to advertise to you.
What other people can see
Some information is public in the product on purpose:
- Territory you hold appears on the shared map
- Dog name and photo can appear on leaderboards unless you turn on solo mode or turn off "Show on public leaderboard"
- Sniff spots you publish (photo, category, caption, place) are visible to other walkers nearby
- Pack name and members are visible to people in or joining that pack
Solo mode hides the leaderboard and turns off steal alerts. Walk tracking still works.
Who we share information with
We use companies that help us run Patch. They only get what they need for that job:
- Supabase — accounts, database, and photo storage
- Fly.io — the territory service that receives walk traces
- Apple and Google — app distribution, notifications, and in-app purchases
- Expo — delivery of push notifications
- Map tile providers — OpenStreetMap-based tiles as described above
- Sentry — crash reports, if enabled
- PostHog — product analytics, if enabled
We may also share information if the law requires it, or if you ask us to.
Retention
We keep account, walk, and profile data while your account is active. After you delete your account we remove the personal data we hold, except where we must keep a copy for backups, a dispute, or the law, and then only for as long as that reason lasts.
Delete your data
In the app: Settings → Delete my data. That permanently removes your account, walks, photos, dog profile, and related records.
You can also email hello@claimyourpatch.app and ask us to delete your account.
Deleting your account does not cancel a Patch Plus subscription. Cancel that in your Apple or Google account settings.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (including the UK and EEA), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data, or to object to certain processing. Email hello@claimyourpatch.app and we will respond.
Children
Patch is for dog owners and is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent age in your country). If you believe a child has given us personal data, email us and we will delete it.
International transfers
Our processors may store data in the UK, EU, or other countries (for example the United States). Where we do that we use the safeguards those providers offer, such as standard contractual clauses.
Changes
We may update this policy as Patch changes. The "Last updated" date at the top will change when we do. The current version will always be at claimyourpatch.app/privacy.