ReadyAtlas Privacy Policy
Effective date: September 30, 2026
Last updated: October 12, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://readyatlas.org
ReadyAtlas (“we,” “us,” or “the app”) is a situational-awareness map that shows public information such as earthquakes, wildfires, weather alerts, space weather, and U.S. Department of Energy Section 202(c) orders. This policy explains what information we handle when you use the ReadyAtlas website or the ReadyAtlas mobile app (iOS and Android).
1. Summary
- We do not create user accounts inside the map experience for tracking your map activity.
- We do not sell your personal information.
- Your precise GPS location stays on your device. It is used when you tap “My location” / “Use my GPS” to center the map or set an alert watch area.
- If you turn on optional push alerts in the app, an approximate alert area and any saved places (each rounded to about 3 km), your alert settings, your time zone, and a push device token are sent to the ReadyAtlas alert server so it can notify you. Turning push alerts off deletes that record. See “Push alerts” below.
- Map layers load public data from government and scientific sources (for example USGS, NWS, NOAA, NASA, NIFC, DOE).
- If you email support, we receive whatever you choose to send us.
2. Information we collect
Information you provide
If you contact us at [email protected], we receive your email address and the contents of your message so we can reply. Membership or login for readyatlas.org (if offered through our website host) is handled by that host’s systems under their own terms; this policy covers ReadyAtlas map and app use.
Location
The mobile app may ask for location permission. ReadyAtlas uses location when you tap My location / Use my GPS (or an equivalent control) to center the map on you or set an alert watch area. Your precise GPS location stays on your device. We do not continuously track your location or collect it in the background, and we do not upload your location to ReadyAtlas servers for advertising or profiling. If you turn on push alerts, only an approximate alert area (rounded to about 3 km) is sent to the alert server, as described below. You can deny or revoke location permission in your device settings (iOS Settings or Android Settings › Apps › ReadyAtlas).
Push alerts (optional)
Push alerts are off unless you turn them on in the app. When you turn them on, the app sends the ReadyAtlas alert server (hosted on Cloudflare) only: an approximate alert area (the center you chose, rounded to a grid of about 3 km / 0.03°), your alert radius, the alert types you picked, your warnings vs. watches preference, your time zone so alert times read correctly, and a device push token issued by Apple (or Google on Android). This data is used only to send you alerts. The server also keeps a short log of which alerts were already sent to that token, for up to 30 days, so you do not get duplicates. Nothing is sold, nothing is used for advertising or tracking, and nothing is linked to your name, email, or any account. Your data is deleted when you turn push alerts off, or automatically when Apple or Google reports that the push token is no longer valid (for example after you delete the app). Push messages are delivered through Apple Push Notification service (APNs) or Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) on Android.
Saved places: If you turn on push alerts, ReadyAtlas also sends the locations of your saved places (up to 5) to the alert server, each rounded to about 3 km (2 miles), together with the same anonymous device push token, only so we can tell you about hazards near those places. We do not collect names, emails, or precise locations for this, and we never sell or share it. Turning push alerts off deletes this record from our server.
Device and technical data
Like most apps and websites, technical requests may include standard network information such as IP address, device type, operating system, and approximate request time. On iOS this may be processed by Apple as part of delivering the app. On the website, our host (for example Kajabi or Netlify) may log similar server data under their policies.
On-device storage
ReadyAtlas may store small settings on your device (for example panel collapsed state or a short-lived cache of power-grid order listings) using browser/local storage so the app works offline-friendly and faster. This stays on your device unless you clear site/app data.
3. Public data sources
ReadyAtlas displays third-party public datasets. When you use a layer, your device may request data directly from those providers (examples include USGS earthquake feeds, NWS api.weather.gov, NOAA SWPC, NIFC/WFIGS wildfire services, NASA EONET, GDACS, and DOE public order pages). Those providers receive the technical information inherent in any HTTPS request (such as IP address and User-Agent). ReadyAtlas identifies itself to NWS as ReadyAtlas/1.0 ([email protected]) as required by NWS API guidance.
Air-quality readings on the map are requested through a small ReadyAtlas server hosted on Netlify, which fetches them from AirNow. These requests include only the map area currently visible on your screen; no personal data is sent.
We do not control those agencies’ sites. Their data remains subject to their own terms; ReadyAtlas is for situational awareness only and is not an official alert service.
4. How we use information
- To operate the map and app features you request
- To respond to support emails
- To maintain security and diagnose outages
- To comply with law if required
We do not use your data for third-party advertising networks inside ReadyAtlas.
5. Sharing
We do not sell personal information. We may share information only: (a) with service providers who host our website or email (such as Kajabi, Netlify, Cloudflare for the alert server, Apple (APNs) and Google (FCM) for push delivery, or Google for email) as needed to run ReadyAtlas; (b) when you interact with third-party data APIs as described above; (c) if required by law or to protect rights and safety; or (d) in a business transfer (for example sale of the app), with notice where appropriate.
6. Children
ReadyAtlas is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child provided information to us, contact [email protected] and we will delete it.
7. Data retention
Push alert records are kept only while push alerts are on, and sent-alert logs are kept for up to 30 days (see “Push alerts” above). Support emails are kept as long as needed to help you and maintain records. On-device caches can be cleared by you at any time. Hosting logs follow each host’s retention practices.
8. Security
We use reasonable administrative and technical measures appropriate for a small app (HTTPS, limited access to support inbox). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
9. Your choices
- Decline or revoke location permission in iOS Settings or Android Settings › Apps › ReadyAtlas
- Turn push alerts off in the app (Alert me) to delete your push record
- Clear website/app local storage from your browser or by deleting the app
- Email us to request deletion of support correspondence we hold
10. International users
ReadyAtlas may be accessed from outside the United States. Public U.S. agency APIs and our hosts may process data in the U.S. or other locations.
11. Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date above will change when we do. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised policy.
12. Contact
Questions about privacy: [email protected]
Website: https://readyatlas.org
ReadyAtlas is operated by Patrick Humphrey. This map is for situational awareness only. Official alerts and orders remain with the issuing agencies.
