# Privacy Policy for Achikochi
Last updated: October 13, 2026
The developer (“we”) describes below how information is handled in the Achikochi app (“the App”).
The App is a direction-only map. It shows bearing and remaining distance to a destination and does not draw a route. We do not operate our own servers and do not create user accounts.
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## 1. Information we handle and why
The App does not collect registration data such as name, email address, or phone number.
### 1.1 Location (latitude and longitude)
- **What**: Current location from GPS and related sensors, including precise location
- **Why**: To show you on the map, calculate bearing and remaining distance, and vibrate when you are near the destination
- **When**: Only while the App is on screen (foreground). We do not collect location in the background
- **Our servers**: Location is not sent to our servers. Bearing and distance are calculated on the device
- **Third parties**: Google Maps SDK may send location to Google for map display (see Section 3)
- **Permission**: Location is optional. If you deny it, current location, bearing, and distance will not work. You can change this in device settings
### 1.2 Search keywords and place data
- **What**: Keywords you type, place names in suggestions, and coordinates of the place you select
- **Why**: To set a destination and show search suggestions
- **Third parties**: Search input is sent to the Google Places API (see Section 3)
- **On device**: The latest 5 search keywords are stored on the device
### 1.3 Settings stored on the device
The following stay on the device only (for example in Shared Preferences) and are not sent to our servers.
| Data | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| Destination latitude and longitude | Restore the destination on next launch |
| Search history (latest 5) | Make repeat searches easier |
| Saved places (name, latitude and longitude, place ID; up to 50) | Let you set a saved place as the destination later |
| Display language | Keep your language choice |
| Compass design | Keep your chosen look |
| First-launch flag | Control whether the intro is shown |
### 1.4 Sensor data
- **What**: Compass and motion sensor values
- **Why**: To align the compass needle with the device heading
- **Sharing**: Used only on the device for display; not sent elsewhere
### 1.5 Advertising identifiers (when AdMob is used)
The App may show Google AdMob banner ads. For delivery and measurement, Google may automatically collect:
- Advertising IDs (Android Advertising ID, iOS IDFA, etc.; you can limit this in OS settings)
- IP address, device type, OS, and app activity related to ads
- Approximate location for ad optimization, as handled by Google
We do not store this advertising data ourselves.
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## 2. What we do not do
- User registration, login, or collection of account profiles
- Storage of location or search history on our own servers
- Background location collection
- Sending our own analytics or crash reports
- Sale of information we handle
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## 3. Third-party services
The App uses the following services for maps, search, and ads. They may collect cookies, device identifiers, IP address, location, and search text under their own policies. We cannot fully control how they handle data.
### 3.1 Google Maps Platform
- **Provider**: Google LLC
- **Features used**: Maps SDK (map display), Places API (place search and coordinates), Geocoding (address and coordinate conversion)
- **Data that may be sent**: Current location, search keywords, selected places, and device/network information
- **Privacy policy**: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)
### 3.2 Google AdMob
- **Provider**: Google LLC
- **Purpose**: Banner ads and delivery optimization
- **Data that may be sent**: Advertising IDs, IP address, device information, approximate location, and ad impressions/interactions
- **Privacy policy**: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)
- **Opt-out**:
- Android: Settings > Google > Ads (or equivalent) to limit ad personalization
- iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking to limit App Tracking Transparency
### 3.3 OS location and geocoding
The App uses Android and iOS location services and OS geocoding. The OS provider’s policy applies (Google or Apple).
- Google: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)
- Apple: [https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/](https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/)
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## 4. Retention and deletion
- **Current location**: Discarded from memory after bearing and distance are calculated. We do not accumulate it. Map tile caches follow Google Maps SDK behavior
- **Destination, search history, saved places, and settings**: Remain on the device until you delete them or uninstall the App
- **Search history**: Can be cleared in the App
- **Destination**: Removing the pin deletes the stored destination
- **Saved places**: Can be removed from the in-app list
- **All on-device data**: Deleted when you uninstall the App
- **Third-party data**: Follow each provider’s process to request deletion from Google or others
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## 5. Sharing with third parties
We do not provide information to third parties except:
1. When you consent
2. When required by law
3. When the services in Section 3 process data as needed for maps, place search, or advertising
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## 6. Security
We do not store personal information on our own servers. On-device data uses the OS standard storage. Network requests use HTTPS as provided by each external service.
We cannot completely eliminate risks from network communication or a lost or stolen device.
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## 7. Children
The App is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child’s information was collected, contact us as described in Section 11.
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## 8. Your choices
You can:
- Change or withdraw location permission in device settings
- Delete search history in the App
- Delete the destination in the App
- Delete saved places in the App
- Limit ad tracking in OS settings
- Uninstall the App to delete on-device data
We do not keep personal data on our servers, so access, correction, and deletion are handled on the device. For data held by external services, contact those providers.
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## 9. International processing
We do not send data to our own servers. Google and other providers may process information on servers outside Japan (including the United States). See their privacy policies for details.
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## 10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when the law or the App changes. Material changes will be noted in the App or on this page. The updated policy takes effect when posted here.
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## 11. Contact
For questions about this policy or how the App handles information, use the developer contact listed on the App’s App Store or Google Play page.