Privacy Policy
Lodester is a mobile app for people who search for gold, gems, minerals, and historical artifacts. It is published by Payam Mohammadi (“we”, “us”, or “our”), an individual developer reachable at support@lodester.com. This Privacy Policy explains what data the app handles, where it is stored, and the few cases where data leaves your device. It applies to the Lodester app on iOS and Android (bundle ID com.lodester.app).
Short version: Lodester is offline-first. You don’t create an account, we don’t run servers that receive your data, and the things you record — your finds, notes, photos, locations, routes, and projects — stay on your device, encrypted.
1. We don’t have an account or a backend
Lodester has no user account, no sign-in, and no cloud server in this version. We, the developer, have no way to see, collect, or receive the content you create in the app. There is nothing to log into and nothing synced to us.
2. Data you create — stays on your device
Everything you enter or capture in Lodester is stored only in local storage on your device, encrypted at rest:
- Finds (title, category, notes, estimated value, date, type/purity/weight, etc.)
- Photos you take or attach to a find
- Locations and coordinates you save or pin
- Routes and tracks you record
- Projects and their details
This data is never uploaded to us. You can delete any item inside the app, and uninstalling the app removes all of this local data from your device.
3. Device permissions the app asks for, and why
Lodester only requests permissions needed for features you choose to use:
- Camera — to take photos of your finds.
- Photo Library — to attach existing photos to a find.
- Location (While Using the App) — to show your position on the map, tag a find or pin with coordinates, and record a route. During an active route / tracking session, the Android app uses a foreground location service so it can keep recording your path while you’re using the app. Lodester does not track your location silently in the background.
- Notifications (Android) — for app notifications tied to features you use.
- Internet access — used only to download map imagery (see Section 4).
If you deny a permission, the related feature simply won’t be available; the rest of the app keeps working.
4. The only data that leaves your device
There are exactly two cases where data leaves your device, and in both cases it does not go to us:
a) Map tiles. To draw the map, the app requests map imagery from our map provider(s) — Mapbox and the base map tile sources it uses (for example Esri World Imagery, CARTO, and OpenFreeMap). These requests necessarily include the map area you are viewing, which can reveal your approximate location to the map provider. This is handled under the map providers’ own privacy policies, not ours. We do not receive these requests.
b) In-app purchases. If you buy a subscription or unlock, the purchase is processed entirely by the Apple App Store or Google Play. Payment and billing are handled by Apple/Google under their terms — we never see or receive your payment details. The app only checks, on your device, whether your purchase is active.
Pricing. Subscription prices may change in the future as features are added or expanded. Any price change is handled through the Apple App Store / Google Play under their rules — existing subscribers are notified by Apple/Google and, where required, asked to consent before a new price takes effect. You always see the current price before you are charged.
Analytics & tracking. Lodester does not use any analytics, advertising, or third-party tracking SDKs. The Mapbox mapping SDK’s usage telemetry is explicitly disabled in the app, so it does not send Mapbox anonymous usage/location events. We do not build a profile of you, and we do not sell or share your data.
5. How we use data
Because your content stays on your device, we don’t “use” it at all — the app uses it locally to provide its features (showing your finds, drawing your routes, running on-device calculations). We receive none of it.
6. Security
Your local data is protected with on-device encryption (encrypted database storage). Please also protect your device with a passcode/biometrics, since your data lives on the device itself.
7. Your choices and rights
Since all of your content is stored locally and is fully under your control, you can:
- View, edit, or delete any find, route, project, or photo directly in the app.
- Revoke camera, photo, or location permission at any time in your device settings.
- Remove everything by uninstalling the app.
Depending on where you live (for example the EU/UK under GDPR, or California under the CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data. Because we do not collect or hold your personal data on any server, there is nothing on our side to retrieve or erase — your data is already in your hands. For questions, contact us below.
8. Children’s privacy
Lodester is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
9. Third-party services
- Apple App Store / Google Play — process purchases and app distribution.
- Mapbox and base map tile providers (Esri, CARTO, OpenFreeMap) — serve map imagery; receive the map area you view as described in Section 4.
Each is governed by its own privacy policy.
10. Changes to this policy
If we change this policy (for example, when we add cloud sync or accounts in a future version), we will update the “Last updated” date and, where appropriate, notify you in the app.
11. Contact
Questions about this policy or your privacy?
Publisher: Payam Mohammadi
Email: support@lodester.com
This document is a plain-language privacy policy for the current on-device version of Lodester. It is not legal advice; if you operate in a regulated market or add data-collecting features, have it reviewed for your jurisdiction.