NearMeep lets you and your friends share location, drop beacons, and send voice clips. This policy explains what data the app uses and where it goes.
Who we are
NearMeep is operated by Mark Kaminsky, based in Manitoba, Canada — the party accountable for the personal information described here. Questions: msksoftware@yahoo.ca.
Where your data lives
NearMeep stores data in its cloud backend, which runs on Apple's CloudKit — we don't operate separate servers of our own. To make the app work, some records (your profile, your hashed phone number, and your live location) are kept in a shared database that other NearMeep users can query — for example, so friends can see you on the radar and so people can find you by contact match. These are not in a private, only-you area of iCloud.
What we collect
Precise location
Why: Shown to friends you've added so they can see you on the radar and in friend-finder mode.
Where: In NearMeep's shared CloudKit database, so the friends you've added can see you on the radar. Your location is also sent to Apple Maps by two optional features — see "Maps & place search" below.
Control: Off by default — you turn it on during setup, and can turn off "Appear on friends' radar" in the Me tab anytime.
Maps & place search
Why: The radar's street map draws real streets under the radar disc so distances line up with the ground, and Find Places searches for somewhere near you. Both ask Apple Maps for map data.
Where: To Apple, as ordinary Apple Maps requests, under Apple's privacy policy. We never receive, store, or log them, and no company other than Apple is involved.
Control: The street map is a toggle — the map button on the radar, or Me → Settings → Street map. It is on by default; turn it off and the app makes no map requests. Find Places runs only when you open it and type a search.
Microphone
Why: Short voice clips and voice drops you choose to record.
Where: In NearMeep's shared CloudKit database, addressed to the friends you send them to.
Contacts & phone number
Why: Find friends already on NearMeep; invite others via SMS.
Where: Phone numbers are SHA-256 hashed on your device. Only hashes are sent to CloudKit — never your full contact list.
User identifier
Why: Friend connections and account identity via iCloud.
Where: In NearMeep's shared CloudKit database, used to link friends.
Profile & messages
Why: Your display name, status/vibe, short text bubbles, beacon labels, and the device name attached to voice drops are shown to friends and nearby users so the app is useful.
Where: NearMeep's shared CloudKit database. Most are short-lived — see "How long data lives" below.
What we do NOT do
No ads, no analytics SDKs, no third-party tracking
No selling or sharing your data
No camera use at all — the app requests no camera permission, captures no photos or video, and builds no scan or 3D map of your surroundings
No separate servers of our own — the backend runs on Apple's CloudKit, and the only other thing leaving your device is the Apple Maps requests described above
How long data lives
Location: one record per user, overwritten with each update — there is no location history. Friends stop seeing positions older than 30 minutes.
Waves: expire after 60 seconds. Status bubbles: 5 minutes. Vibe status: 2 hours.
Voice clips: kept until the recipient deletes them (swipe to delete in the walkie-talkie list) or either person deletes their account — they don't auto-expire. Voice drops and beacons: expire on the schedule you pick when creating them.
Nothing accumulates into a feed or timeline.
Children
NearMeep is not directed at children under 13, and our Terms of Service require you to be at least 13 to use it. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13; if we learn that we have, we will delete it. If you believe a child has used the app, contact us at msksoftware@yahoo.ca and we will remove the associated records.
Deleting your data
You can permanently delete everything in the app: Me → Settings → Account → Delete My Data. This removes your profile, shared location, beacons, voice clips, and messages from iCloud for everyone, and resets the app to a fresh start. Abuse reports filed by or about an account are retained for moderation and safety purposes.
You can access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you. Edit your name any time in the app, delete everything via Me → Settings → Account → Delete My Data, or email msksoftware@yahoo.ca to request access or a correction. We respond within a reasonable time, as required by Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA).
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we'll revise the effective date above; for significant changes we'll give more prominent notice, such as an in-app notice.