Last updated: March 26, 2026
The short version: Spotted does not store your phone number, does not share your exact location with other users, and deletes your location data when you close the app. We built the app around minimal data collection by design.
Spotted ("we," "us," "our") operates the Spotted mobile application. If you have questions about this policy, contact us at [email protected].
| Data | What it is | How long we keep it |
|---|---|---|
| User ID | A random identifier issued by our authentication provider (Clerk). Not linked to your name or phone number in our systems. | Until you delete your account |
| Intent | Your stated reason for using the app: Dating, Friends, or Open. Only used to match you with compatible nearby users. Only visible to you. | Until you delete your account |
| Location (lat/lng) | Your approximate GPS coordinates while the app is active. Used only to find users within 500 meters. | Deleted automatically after 60 seconds of inactivity. Deleted immediately when you close or background the app. |
| Ephemeral tokens | Random one-time tokens that represent your presence to nearby users. Not linked to your identity. | Regenerated every 20 seconds. Deleted when your presence is removed. |
Your phone number is used only to verify your identity via SMS. It is processed by Clerk, our authentication provider, and is never stored in Spotted's database. We never see your phone number — only a random user ID issued after successful verification.
When you open the radar screen, your device sends your GPS coordinates to our server every 20 seconds. We use these coordinates to determine which other active users are within approximately 500 meters of you.
When two users both tap "Say Hi," a temporary session is created to calculate the real-time distance and bearing between them. This session expires after 5 minutes, or immediately when either user ends it. After the session ends, no record of the interaction is retained.
| Service | Purpose | Their Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk | Phone number verification and session management | clerk.com/legal/privacy |
| Cloudflare | Infrastructure and database hosting | cloudflare.com/privacypolicy |
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. To exercise these rights or to delete your account entirely (which removes all data we hold about you and requests deletion from Clerk), email us at [email protected].
Spotted is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors. If you believe a minor is using the App, please contact us immediately.
We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the App. The date at the top of this page reflects when it was last revised.
Questions, requests, or concerns: [email protected]