Privacy Policy & Terms of Use for: Park Ranger US National Parks
Effective Date: April 24, 2026
1. Introduction
Welcome to: Park Ranger US National Parks ("the App"). We are committed to protecting your privacy while providing you with an enriching experience exploring the US National Parks. This document explains how we handle data and sets forth the strict limitations of our liability and AI-powered services.
2. Advertising and Data Collection (Google AdMob)
To keep certain features of the App free, we use Google AdMob to display advertisements.
Personalized Ads: AdMob may collect and process certain personal data, including your device's advertising ID, IP address, and generalized location data, to serve personalized ads based on your interests.
Opt-Out: You can manage or opt-out of personalized advertising through your iOS or Android device settings (e.g., by enabling "Limit Ad Tracking" or "Delete Advertising ID"). By using this App, you consent to the collection and use of data for targeted advertising by Google AdMob according to their privacy policies.
3. AI Disclaimer and Absolute Limitation of Liability (CRITICAL)
READ CAREFULLY: By using this App, you waive your right to sue or seek compensation for any damages.
The App utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide information. AI is prone to "hallucinations," errors, and providing outdated or entirely fabricated information. * No Warranties: The App and all AI-generated content are provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.
Mandatory Independent Verification: You are strictly required to double-check and verify ALL information provided by the App (including trail maps, weather, park rules, and safety alerts) directly with official National Park Service (NPS) personnel, official NPS websites (nps.gov), or physical park signage.
4. Assumption of Risk and Natural Hazards
Visiting US National Parks involves severe and inherent risks, up to and including serious injury or death. These risks include, but are not limited to:
Encounters with dangerous or unpredictable wildlife (e.g., bears, bison, snakes, mountain lions).
Extreme, rapidly changing weather conditions and natural disasters (e.g., flash floods, avalanches, extreme heat/cold).
Treacherous terrain, rockfalls, unmarked trails, and high altitudes.
Lack of cellular service, internet connectivity, or immediate access to emergency medical care.
HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT: You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for your own safety and survival. You explicitly agree to hold harmless and release the developers, creators, and affiliates of "Park Ranger US National Parks" from any and all liability, claims, lawsuits, damages, injuries, or death arising from your use of this App or reliance on its AI-generated information, maps, or recommendations. Do not use this App as a primary navigation tool, survival guide, or emergency resource.
5. Third-Party Data Integration
To provide a comprehensive experience, the App integrates data from several external professional sources:
National Park Service (NPS) API: We fetch official park data, alerts, and visitor information.
Mapping Services (Apple Maps/Google Maps): Used for displaying park locations.
Weather Services: Used to provide real-time weather updates.
We do not guarantee the accuracy or uptime of these third-party services.
6. General Data Usage
Location Data: If granted permission, we use your GPS location to calculate distances to parks. This data is processed locally or via third-party map providers to fulfill your request.
AI Chat Logs: Conversations with Woody are processed to generate responses but are not linked to your personal identity.
In-App Purchases: All financial transactions are handled securely by Apple (App Store) or Google (Play Store). We do not see or store your payment details.
7. Consent
By downloading, accessing, or using "Park Ranger US National Parks" you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by this Privacy Policy and these Terms of Use, explicitly including the limitation of liability and assumption of risk.
In addition to these terms, all in-app purchases are subject to the standard Apple Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA) or Google Play Terms of Service, respectively.
Data Privacy & Deletion
At Park Ranger US National Parks, we follow a "Privacy by Design" approach. We collect as little data as possible.
How to Delete Your Data
You have full control over your digital footprint. There are two ways to handle your data:
1. In-App Deletion (Recommended)
The most effective way to wipe your data is using the "Delete All Data" button within the app settings while the app is still installed. This triggers the following:
Account Deletion: It executes a command to permanently delete your anonymous Firebase Authentication record. Once deleted, your unique identifier is destroyed, and we can no longer link your device to any previous activity.
Local Wipe: All your locally stored progress, including Digital Passport stamps and visited states, is immediately erased from your device.
2. External Requests via Email
If you have already uninstalled the app and wish to request deletion, you can contact us at: zurbruegg.development@gmail.com
Important Notice on Identification: Because we use anonymous identifiers and do not collect names, emails, or phone numbers, we generally cannot "find" or identify a specific user in our backend systems based on an email address alone. To ensure your specific anonymous profile is deleted, we strongly recommend using the in-app button before uninstalling.
Scope of Deletion & Retention
AI Chat History: Woody is designed for privacy. Conversations are processed to generate responses but are not stored in persistent, identifiable logs.
Financial Records: Information regarding subscriptions and In-App Purchases is maintained by Google Play or Apple for legal, tax, and anti-fraud compliance. We cannot delete transaction records held by these platforms.
Orphaned Data: Any anonymous usage statistics are disconnected from your deleted ID and kept only in aggregate form for analytical purposes.