Privacy Policy

GPSDotWatch is a live GPS race-tracking platform: the website at gpsdotwatch.com and four mobile apps — CycLocator (ride & be tracked), SagWagon (event crew & SAG), GPSDotWatch (follow riders), and OnTheRoute (offline route maps). They collect very different things, so this page covers each one — why, who can see it, and how to make your data leave.

Last updated 2026-07-05.

The short version

• Each app collects only what it needs to do its job, and not much else.
• OnTheRoute is completely anonymous — no account, no sign-in. You type a map code, download the route, and go. Any location use stays on your device and is never sent to us.
• You can watch events and ride without an account. Signing in is optional and uses Apple or Google — we never see a password.
• Only the tracking apps (CycLocator, SagWagon) send your GPS position, and only while you're actively tracking.
• On the public map, rider dots are anonymous — your name isn't shown to spectators; only to event staff, or if you send a distress/SAG signal.
• We don't sell data, run ads, or run third-party analytics.

The apps at a glance

Each app in detail

OnTheRoute — anonymous offline maps

OnTheRoute is a fully anonymous reader. You enter a map code and it downloads that route's offline map — tiles plus points of interest — to your device. There's no account, no sign-in, and no tracking of you. The app can use your location to show what's ahead on the route (fuel, food, services near you), but that happens entirely on your device and is never transmitted to us or anyone else. We serve the map bundle for the code you enter; we don't build a profile and we don't know who you are.

CycLocator — ride & be tracked

CycLocator is how a rider shares their position with an event. While you have tracking on for an event, it sends GPS points (latitude, longitude, accuracy, timestamp) at the event's interval — including in the background, so your crew and event can follow you even when your screen is off (see Background location). Signing in is optional; without it we use a random device id with no real-world identity attached. We store your GPS track for the event, plus the display name and bib you type in. On the public map your dot is anonymous. Tracking — and the location collection — stops when you stop it.

SagWagon — event crew & SAG

SagWagon is for event staff (SAG vehicles, officials). Like CycLocator it sends the crew member's GPS position to the event while on duty, shown to the director and other staff so they can coordinate support and respond to problems. It's a staff tool, so it expects you to be signed in.

GPSDotWatch — follow riders

The GPSDotWatch app is for spectators and crew who want to follow riders — the same public, anonymous dots as the website, in an app. It can use your location to show nearby riders and time a trackside rendezvous; that stays on your device and isn't sent to us. It can send you a notification when a rider you're watching is nearby. Signing in is optional. It does not send your location and never tracks a dot for you.

gpsdotwatch.com — watch on the web

The website shows the live event maps. You can watch anonymously with no account. Signing in (Apple/Google) is optional and only ties events and roles to you. The site requests map tiles from OpenStreetMap to draw the map, and keeps standard server logs.

Background location (CycLocator & SagWagon)

CycLocator and SagWagon request background location for one purpose: to periodically send your position to your event while you're tracking, so spectators, crew, and safety staff (SAG) can see where you are even when the app is in the background or the screen is off. We never use background location for advertising or profiling. Stop it any time by stopping tracking, and revoke the permission in your device settings. The watcher apps — GPSDotWatch and OnTheRoute — do not use background location and never send your location at all.

What we collect

If you sign in (optional; never for OnTheRoute)

• Your Apple or Google account identifier and, if you share it, your email, so we can recognize you and tie your events/roles to your account.
• Your name from Apple/Google, kept privately on your profile — it is not your public map name (you set that yourself).

If you ride or join without an account

• A random device identifier to keep your session, with no real-world identity attached.
• The display name and bib you type in when joining an event — unverified; put whatever you want shown.

Location (tracking apps only, while actively tracking)

• GPS points — latitude, longitude, accuracy, timestamp — sent at the event's interval while tracking is on. Offline points are buffered on your device and uploaded when you reconnect.
• We don't collect your location when you aren't tracking. GPSDotWatch and OnTheRoute never send your location at all — their location use is on-device only.

Operational data

• Standard server logs — request method, path, status, timing, and IP address — for debugging and abuse prevention.

Who can see your data

• Spectators / the public map: anonymous dots only — position and pace color, no name.
• If you send a distress or SAG request: your position is shown and your display name is revealed to event staff (director/SAG/checkpoint) so you can be helped. Whether the public also sees your name follows the event's display setting (anonymous events keep it staff-only).
• Event director and safety staff: see the roster of display names and rider positions for their event (including off-course riders), so they can run the event and respond to problems.
• Other riders / watchers: see the same anonymous public map everyone else does.

How we use it

• To show live positions on the event map and route, in real time.
• To let organizers and SAG staff run the event and respond to distress signals.
• To keep your account, roles, and event history (if you signed in).
• To keep the service running and to prevent abuse.

Sharing & third parties

• Apple and Google — only if you choose to sign in. We receive your account id and (if you share it) email and name; never your password.
• OpenStreetMap — supplies map tiles; your browser/app requests them to draw the map. (OnTheRoute ships its tiles inside the downloaded bundle.)
• Hosting — the service runs on our own server infrastructure.
• We do not sell your data, share it with advertisers, or run third-party analytics/ad SDKs.

Retention & deletion

Location points and event records are retained to keep event maps and history available. Account data is kept while your account exists. OnTheRoute stores nothing about you, so there's nothing to delete.

You can delete your account in the app at any time (Profile → Delete account). This permanently removes your personal information — name, email, profile details, and your link to Apple/Google. Your past ride points are kept as part of each event's record but are anonymized: the name shown on them becomes [Deleted User]. You can also request deletion here (in-app or by email).

Your choices

• Use OnTheRoute, or watch on the web, with no account at all.
• Watch and ride anonymously — signing in is optional.
• Change your display name in the app at any time.
• Turn tracking off whenever you want; revoke location/background-location permission in your device settings.
• Delete your account and personal data in the app (Profile → Delete account), or request it via the contact address below.

Children

GPSDotWatch isn't directed at children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect their data. If a participant is a minor, a parent/guardian should manage their use.

Changes

We may update this policy as the service evolves. We'll revise the "last updated" date above when we do.

Contact

Support & general questions: gpsdotwatch.com/support. Data/privacy requests: privacy@gpsdotwatch.com.