Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to EarthquakeTracker ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website earthquaketracker.org (the "Site"). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Site.

We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the "Last updated" date of this Privacy Policy. You are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed of updates.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• IP address (anonymized where possible)
• Pages visited and time spent on those pages
• Referring website addresses
• Date and time of your visit
• Geographic location (country/region level only)

This information is used for analytics purposes to understand how visitors use our Site and to improve our services. We do not use this information to personally identify you.

2.2 Information You Provide

We may collect information you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Contact us via email or our contact form
• Report issues or provide feedback

This may include your name, email address, and any other information you choose to provide in your communications with us.

2.3 Location Information

Our Site may request access to your device's location to show earthquakes near you. This is entirely optional and requires your explicit consent. If you grant location access:

• Your location data is processed locally in your browser
• We do not store your precise location on our servers
• You can revoke location access at any time through your browser settings

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain our website
• Improve, personalize, and expand our website
• Understand and analyze how you use our website
• Develop new products, services, features, and functionality
• Communicate with you, including responding to your inquiries
• Detect and prevent technical issues and abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

4.1 What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

4.2 Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly. These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences, such as your preferred units (miles vs. kilometers).

4.3 Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Please note that removing or blocking cookies may impact your user experience and some functionality may no longer be available.

5. Third-Party Services

We may use third-party services that collect, monitor, and analyze information:

5.1 Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand, in aggregate, how the Site is used. GA4 loads only after you opt in via our consent banner; if you reject or your browser sends a GPC or Do Not Track signal, it is not loaded and no analytics cookies are set. You can also withdraw consent (which deletes the analytics cookies) or use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. IP anonymization is enabled.

5.2 Maps and Location Services

We use mapping services to display earthquake locations. These services may collect information about your use of the maps in accordance with their own privacy policies.

5.3 Content Delivery

We may use content delivery networks (CDNs) to deliver content efficiently. These services may collect limited technical information to provide their services.

5.4 Advertising Partners

We do not currently display advertising on the Site, and no advertising or ad-measurement code is loaded. If we introduce an advertising network in the future, we will update this policy with the partner and its disclosures, and any advertising cookies will load only after you opt in via the consent banner. Industry opt-out portals — the Network Advertising Initiative, Digital Advertising Alliance, and Google Ad Settings — would apply should that change.

Our dedicated cookie policy enumerates every cookie or storage key on your device, with purpose and lifetime, and which ones are set only after you opt in.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information by staff
• Secure hosting infrastructure

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Analytics data is typically retained for 26 months, after which it is automatically deleted or anonymized.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 General Rights

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format

8.2 California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used, the right to delete your personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell personal information.

8.3 European Residents (GDPR)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You may contact us to exercise these rights. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at contact@earthquaketracker.org.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Site is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at contact@earthquaketracker.org, and we will take steps to delete such information.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where data protection laws may differ. If you are located outside the United States and choose to provide information to us, please note that we transfer the data to the United States and process it there.

11. Do Not Track Signals

If your browser sends a Do Not Track (DNT) or Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal, we honor it as a standing opt-out: we do not load analytics or advertising code and set no analytics or advertising cookies for that visit.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our Site may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us, including links to USGS, NOAA, FEMA, and other government and educational resources. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: