Privacy policy displayed in English.

Effective August 31, 2026

Your memories stay yours.

This policy explains how MapAlbum uses on-device photo data, store update checks, Google Maps, and non-personalized Google Mobile Ads App Open and bottom banner ads.

01

On your device

Photo files, embedded coordinates, the photo index, and private notes are processed locally.

03

Google services

Maps and advertising require network communication with Google.

01

Information MapAlbum handles

Photos and embedded location metadata

With your permission, MapAlbum reads photo files and metadata such as capture time and GPS coordinates to place geotagged photos on your map. This processing happens on your device. MapAlbum does not upload photo files to a developer server.

To avoid repeatedly inspecting unchanged photos, MapAlbum keeps an on-device SQLite index containing photo-library identifiers, timestamps, dimensions, and the result of the location check, including coordinates when available. The index is updated when the accessible photo library changes and is never uploaded to a developer server.

Current location

If you press the current-location button and grant permission, MapAlbum uses your foreground location to center the map. This is optional, and the app does not request background location.

Private notes

Notes are stored in local app storage. MapAlbum does not transmit them to a developer server. Your device backup provider may separately include app data according to your device settings.

App update checks

At app launch and when the app returns to the foreground, MapAlbum checks the official store directly: iOS uses Apple’s public App Store Lookup service for the fixed MapAlbum App Store ID and current storefront, while Android uses Google Play Core for the update available to the current account and release track. Apple or Google may process an IP address and standard request metadata for this check. MapAlbum uses no developer version server or Firebase Remote Config, and the check does not include photo files, photo coordinates, private notes, or your current location.

02

Google Maps

MapAlbum uses Google Maps Platform to display maps. Google may process IP address, request and device metadata, service-specific identifiers, diagnostics, performance information, and map interactions under Google’s terms and privacy policy.

When you press Google Maps directions, MapAlbum sends the selected photo coordinates to the Google Maps app or website so Google can provide directions. This happens only after your action.

03

Google Mobile Ads

MapAlbum displays non-personalized App Open ads on eligible returning launches or foreground resumes and a bottom banner on supported screens. App Open ads are skipped for a fresh install’s first session and are suppressed while permission, scanning, privacy-choice, photo-detail, directions, or image-viewer interfaces are visible. Before requesting ads, the app resolves Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) consent. On iOS it then requests App Tracking Transparency (ATT) authorization before initializing Google Mobile Ads. If ATT is unavailable, unresolved, or fails, MapAlbum requests no ads and retries on a later foreground. Authorized, denied, and restricted ATT states all keep every ad request non-personalized, and the Google Mobile Ads publisher first-party identifier is disabled. You can reopen required advertising privacy choices from the app.

Google Mobile Ads may automatically collect or process:

  • IP address, which may be used to estimate general location;
  • app launches, taps, ad views, and other product interactions;
  • crash, performance, energy-use, and other diagnostic information;
  • device, app-set, advertising, or account-related identifiers; and
  • advertising data, including ads shown to the device.

Google uses this information for advertising, analytics, service operation, and fraud prevention. Google states that Mobile Ads SDK data is encrypted in transit. MapAlbum does not use Firebase and does not sell your photo files or private notes.

MapAlbum requires third-party services that receive or process user data through the app, including Google Maps Platform and Google Mobile Ads, to provide the same or equivalent protection described in this policy and required by applicable platform rules. MapAlbum remains responsible for selecting and configuring these services appropriately.

04

Permissions and privacy choices

  • Change photo or foreground-location access in your device settings.
  • Use Privacy choices in MapAlbum when Google requires that option.
  • Reset or delete your device advertising identifier in platform settings.
  • Choose not to open Google Maps directions.
  • Delete a note, clear app data, or uninstall MapAlbum to remove local notes.

On iOS, MapAlbum shows Apple’s App Tracking Transparency prompt after UMP and before the first eligible ad request. Permission allows Google to use device identifiers for cross-app and website advertising measurement and frequency controls. Choosing Ask App Not to Track does not limit MapAlbum’s core features, and all ads remain non-personalized regardless of your ATT choice.

05

Retention and international processing

MapAlbum keeps private notes and its SQLite photo scan index only in local app storage until you delete them, clear app data, or uninstall the app, subject to device backups. Index entries are also reconciled as accessible photos change. The developer cannot retrieve or delete data processed independently by Google. Google may process data in countries other than your own under its published retention and international-transfer practices.

06

Children’s privacy

MapAlbum is a general-audience photo utility and is not directed to children under the minimum age required for consent in their country. The app does not knowingly create child accounts or collect children’s photo files through a developer server.

07

Changes and contact

We may update this policy when the app, third-party SDKs, or legal requirements change. The current version and effective date will remain available at this URL.

Publisher and operator: DongKwan Kho. For privacy or support inquiries, contact inquiry@dokwdo.cloud.

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