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Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 10, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how beermap ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our beer logging web application, mobile app, and related services (collectively, the "Service") available at beermap.be.
By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Account Information
When you create an account, we collect:
- Username (unique, chosen by you)
- Email address (for account verification, password resets, and support)
- Password (stored as a secure bcrypt hash — we cannot read your plain-text password)
- Google account information (name, email, profile photo) if you sign in via Google OAuth
1.2 Beer Logging Data
When you use the Service, we collect:
- GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) when you drop a pin on the map
- Beer details (beer name, ABV, rating, tasting notes, description)
- Photos and videos you upload with your beer check-ins
- Pin visibility settings (public, friends-only, or private)
1.3 Social Features
- Friend connections and friend requests
- Comments and likes on beer pins
- Notifications related to your social interactions
1.4 Support Communications
When you contact support, we collect your username, email address, and the content of your message for the purpose of responding to your inquiry.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
- Display your beer pins, profile, and activity to you and your friends (based on your visibility settings)
- Send account-related emails (verification, password resets, support responses)
- Process your photo and video uploads
- Prevent spam and abuse
- Analyze aggregated, anonymized usage patterns to improve the Service
3. Cookies and Local Storage
3.1 Session Cookie
We use a single session cookie (connect.sid) to keep you logged in. This cookie is:
- HTTP-only (not accessible via JavaScript)
- Set when you log in and valid for up to 30 days
- Required for the Service to function
3.2 Local Storage
We store the following in your browser's local storage:
- Cookie consent preference (essential, functional, analytics)
- Theme preference (light, dark, or auto)
- Beta feature toggles (optional features you opt into)
- PWA install prompt state (whether you've seen the install prompt)
3.3 Analytics (Optional)
If you consent to analytics, we load GoatCounter, a privacy-friendly, cookie-free analytics tool. GoatCounter counts page visits and does not use cookies or collect personally identifiable information. Analytics consent can be managed or revoked at any time through your cookie preferences in the app's settings.
4. Geolocation Data
The Service requests access to your device's GPS location to:
- Center the map on your current location when you open the app
- Set the location when you drop a beer pin
- Provide the "locate me" feature
Your precise GPS coordinates are only stored when you explicitly drop a pin. The map centering uses your location temporarily and does not store it. You can deny location access and still use most features of the Service manually.
5. Photos and Videos
Photos and videos you upload are stored on our servers and are associated with your beer pins. They are accessible to others based on the pin's visibility setting (public, friends-only, or private). Uploaded media files are deleted when you delete the associated pin or account.
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. Your data may be shared only in the following limited circumstances:
- With your friends: Your beer pins and profile information are shared with users you have accepted as friends, based on your visibility settings
- Public pins: Pins you set to "public" are visible to all users and may appear in search engines
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of beermap, its users, or the public
7. Third-Party Services
- Google OAuth: If you sign in with Google, Google's Privacy Policy applies to the authentication process. We receive only your name, email, and profile photo from Google.
- GoatCounter (self-hosted): A privacy-friendly analytics service. It does not use cookies and does not track users across sites. See GoatCounter's privacy policy.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we permanently delete:
- Your user profile and credentials
- All beer pins, photos, and videos you uploaded
- Your friend connections, comments, likes, and notifications
- All associated data within 30 days
Account deletion is irreversible. Some anonymized, aggregated data (which cannot identify you) may be retained for service improvement purposes.
9. Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information:
- Passwords are stored using bcrypt hashing
- Session cookies are HTTP-only
- We use HTTPS in production
- Uploaded files are stored with randomized filenames
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
- Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data at any time through the app's settings
- Portability: Request your data in a commonly used format
- Withdraw consent: Revoke analytics consent at any time in settings
To exercise these rights or for any privacy-related questions, contact us at support@beermap.be.
11. Children's Privacy
The Service is not intended for users under the age of 16 (or the minimum legal drinking age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on the Service or sending you an email. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
support@beermap.be
14. Supervisory Authority
If you believe your data protection rights have been infringed, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit / Autorité de protection des données):