Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

GigAlert (“we,” “us,” or “GigAlert”) operates the GigAlert mobile and web application available at gigalertapp.com (the “Service”). The Service helps delivery drivers share and receive real-time, community-sourced information about store and restaurant conditions, wait times, delivery-platform outages, road hazards, and other on-the-job alerts.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through the Service, how we use it, how it is shared, how long we keep it, and the choices you have. By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to the practices described here.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account information

When you create an account, we collect the email address and password you choose, along with a display name and username you set in your profile. If you sign in with Google, we receive the name and email address associated with your Google account. Your password is stored only in ahashed, one-way form; we cannot read your plain-text password.

2.2 Location information

To show you reports and alerts that are actually near you, GigAlert requests access to your device’s approximate location. When you grant permission, your latitude and longitude are used to sort nearby results, compute distances, and determine which reports fall inside the notification radius you select (10, 25, 50 miles, or globally). We do not continuously track your movements; your location is read when the Service needs it to fetch relevant nearby information or to attach a general area to a report you submit.

2.3 User-submitted reports and content

When you submit a report you provide the store, the category and issue, optional notes, an optional wait-time estimate, the delivery platform, and—for the “Already Picked Up” order issue—the customer’s first name and last initial so other drivers can identify a matching order. Your reports also capture the store location and a general city/state. Other community content you create includes chat messages, store ratings and reviews, saved-store lists, confirmation and “not happening” votes on reports, and game activity.

2.4 Activity and reputation data

We track activity tied to your account, such as the number of reports you have submitted, how often the community confirms or rejects them, an accuracy percentage, a reputation score and level, earned badges, XP and streaks, and game results. This supports GigAlert’s trust system and rewards.

2.5 Device and technical data

We collect basic technical information such as device type, operating system, app version, and an identifier used to deliver push notifications on iOS and Android. We also log IP addresses and timestamps as needed to operate, secure, and troubleshoot the Service.

3. How We Use Your Information

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service, including sorting nearby alerts and building your feed.
• Create and verify your account, manage sessions, and complete sign-in with Google.
• Process the reports, votes, chat messages, ratings, and saved stores you submit.
• Calculate reputation, accuracy, levels, badges, XP, and streaks, and operate games and rewards.
• Send you push notifications for alerts that match your preferences and radius, and service emails such as verification codes.
• Detect and address false, abusive, or prohibited activity and enforce our Terms of Service.
• Respond to support requests and account or data-deletion requests.

4. How Your Information Is Shared

GigAlert does not sell your personal information. We share information in the following limited ways:

• With other users. Your display name, username, and the content you publish (reports, chat messages, ratings, votes) are visible to other users as part of the community Service. Reports show the city/state area and store; your precise coordinates are not published.
• With service providers. We use third parties described in Section 5 to host data, authenticate accounts, map locations, send email, and deliver push notifications. These providers process data only as needed to provide their services to us under appropriate terms.
• For legal or safety reasons. We may disclose information to comply with law, respond to legal process, protect the rights or safety of GigAlert, our users, or others, or to enforce the Terms of Service.
• Business transfers. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred subject to the protections of this policy.

5. Third-Party Services

The Service relies on the following third-party services, each governed by its own policies:

• Google. Google is used for account sign-in (Google OAuth) and for mapping and place data used to find and locate stores.
• OpenStreetMap / Nominatim and Overpass. Used to geocode and discover nearby store locations and addresses.
• Apple and Google Play push services. Used to deliver push notifications to your device when you enable them.
• Email delivery. Used to send account-verification and service emails and to deliver support messages you send us.

6. Location, Choices, and Permissions

Location access is optional but is what makes nearby alerts useful. You can deny or revoke location permission at any time in your device settings; the Service will still work but will show less localized information. Your notification radius (10, 25, 50 miles, or globally) and which alert types you receive can be adjusted in your Alerts preferences. GigAlert’s alert preferences are opt-out by default; every alert type is enabled unless you turn a type off, so new alert types added later will also be on until you choose to disable them.

7. Push Notifications

If you enable push notifications on the GigAlert mobile app, we may send you alerts about nearby reports and platform outages, friend and game activity, account events, and important Service announcements. You can manage or turn off notifications in your device settings or in the app. We do not use your contact lists or send messages on your behalf.

8. Live Chat

Chat messages you send are visible to other members of the chat room. To keep chat relevant to nearby drivers, chat access is limited by geographic radius. Chat messages may be retained to provide the Service, maintain history, investigate reports of abuse, and enforce the Terms of Service. Other users can mute you, and an account may be restricted from chat for violations.

9. Data Retention

Community reports are treated as active for a limited window (approximately 24 hours from the time they are created) and are marked expired automatically after that period so the feed reflects current conditions. We retain account and activity data for as long as your account is active, and thereafter as needed to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Content you post may be retained in chat or report history even after the active window closes.

10. Account and Data Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and personal data at any time, in two ways:

• In-app. Open Profile, tap “Delete Account,” and confirm. This permanently deletes your GarageProfile, friends, game invites, and reputation data, and signs you out. The action cannot be undone.
• By email. Email matthewjbrynes@gmail.com with your account email and a deletion request, and we will process it on your behalf.

Certain information may be retained where required by law or for legitimate safety and fraud prevention purposes, as described above. Anonymized or aggregated data that no longer identifies you may be retained.

11. Children’s Privacy

GigAlert is not directed to children and is not intended for anyone under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country to consent to data processing). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including hashed passwords and access controls. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

13. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your personal information, and to opt out of certain sharing. To exercise any of these rights, email us at matthewjbrynes@gmail.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

14. Guests and Public Access

You can browse much of GigAlert as a guest without creating an account. Guest browsing still uses approximate location to sort nearby alerts but is not tied to an account. To submit reports, post in chat, save stores, earn reputation and XP, or receive personalized notifications, you must create an account.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will revise the “Last updated” date above when we do. Material changes will be communicated through the Service. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

16. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data? Email us at matthewjbrynes@gmail.com.