Privacy Policy

Effective date: 4 May 2026 · Last updated: 4 May 2026

This policy explains what data Aho ("we", "the app") collects when you use the app, why we collect it, and what your rights are.

Aho is currently in closed beta. By using the app you agree to the practices described here.

1. What we collect

Account data

• Phone number — required for sign-in via one-time SMS code.
• Display name — chosen by you, shown to other users when you win a hunt.
• Profile picture — optional, uploaded by you.

Gameplay data

• Submission photos — taken by you when you submit a guess for a hunt.
• GPS location — captured at the moment of submission to verify you were at the target.
• Riddle answers — text you submit for riddle-type hunts.
• Winner quotes — text you choose to display publicly if you win a featured hunt.

Technical data

• Device push token — used to send notifications about new hunts and approvals.
• Crash reports — anonymous device info and stack traces when the app crashes, used to fix bugs.

2. How we use it

• Verifying your identity when you sign in.
• Running the treasure-hunt game logic (matching submissions to targets, awarding prizes).
• Showing your name and picture next to hunts you win.
• Sending you notifications you've subscribed to (new hunts, your win, quote invitations).
• Diagnosing and fixing app problems.

We do not sell your data, share it with advertisers, or use it for advertising profiles.

3. Where it's stored

Your data is stored on Google Cloud servers operated by Firebase, in the europe-west9 region (Paris). Data in transit is encrypted with HTTPS; data at rest is encrypted by the provider.

4. Third parties

Aho uses these services to function:

• Google Firebase — authentication, database, file storage, push notifications, crash reporting. Firebase privacy.
• CARTO — map tile rendering. Your IP address is sent when you load a map. CARTO privacy.
• OpenStreetMap contributors — underlying map data (no personal data sent).

5. How long we keep it

• Account data — until you delete your account.
• Submission photos — kept while the related hunt is active. Photos for rejected submissions may be deleted earlier.
• Winner photos and quotes — retained as part of the hunt's permanent record (visible in past-winners archive). If you delete your account, your name and picture are removed but the hunt itself remains.
• Crash reports — up to 90 days.

6. Your rights

You can:

• Access your data — most of it is visible inside the app (your account screen, submission history, badges).
• Update your name or profile picture in the account screen.
• Delete your account — go to Account → Delete Account. This permanently removes your profile, badges, profile picture, submission photos, and anonymizes your name and picture on past hunts. The action cannot be undone.
• Withdraw notification consent by disabling notifications in your phone's system settings.

7. Children

Aho is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us their data, contact us and we will delete it.

8. Changes to this policy

If we make material changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date above and notify users in the app on next launch. Continued use of Aho after a change means you accept the updated policy.

9. Contact

For privacy questions, data deletion requests, or anything else: aho.hunts@gmail.com.