Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

RouteMe Teknoloji A.Ş. ("we," "us," or "our") operates the RouteMe mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data in compliance with:

• EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Turkey's Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK)

By using RouteMe, you agree to this policy.

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Personal Data

• Account Information: Name, surname, username, age, gender.
• Authentication Data: Information from your Google or Apple account used for login (e.g., email address, name).
• Location Data: Precise GPS data for discovering nearby routes and creating routes.
• User Content: Routes you create (including their titles, descriptions, and pinned Google Places locations), uploaded images, comments, replies, and @mentions you post on routes, and any other media you submit within the App.
• Interaction Data: Who you follow, what content you like, and routes you save.
• Preference Data: Interests selected during account creation and categories assigned to your routes.

2.2 Automatic Data

• Device Data: IP address, OS version, device model.
• Usage Data: How you interact with the App (e.g., features used, content viewed, ad clicks).

3. How We Use Your Data

To provide, maintain, and improve RouteMe's features and services, including enabling user accounts and profiles.

To enable the creation and sharing of routes, making your created routes visible to other users (unless your account is private, see below).

To personalize your experience on the Discover and Main feeds, recommend routes, and provide tailored content based on your interests and in-app interactions (likes, saves, follows).

To facilitate social interactions, such as allowing you to follow other users and see their content.

To enable location-based features, such as discovering nearby routes.

For analytics and research purposes, to understand user behavior and improve our algorithms, app functionality, and user experience.

To personalize ads (via Google AdMob, subject to your consent).

To comply with legal obligations (KVKK/GDPR).

To send administrative or account-related communications, including reminders to complete your account setup if you have initiated the sign-in process.

3.1 Public Visibility of Routes & Profiles

• By default, when you create a route on RouteMe, it is set to publicly visible to all users of the App.
• If you choose to set your account as private through your App settings, only followers who have been granted permission by you will be able to view your profile and your routes.
• Public Visibility of Comments: By default, any comment or reply you post on a route is public and visible to all users of the App.
• Public Disclosure: By posting comments or using @mentions, you acknowledge that you are making this data public by your own choice.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR/KVKK)

We process your data based on:

• Consent: For marketing/tracking (you may withdraw anytime).
• Contractual Necessity: To deliver the App's services.
• Legal Compliance: Under KVKK and GDPR.
• Legitimate Interest: To communicate with users who have started the registration process to provide onboarding support and ensure service continuity.

5. Data Sharing & Third Parties

Based on your consent, we may share your data with:

• Authentication Providers: When you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive certain account information from them as outlined in Section 2.1.
• Google AdMob: For ad personalization (subject to your consent).
• Microsoft Clarity: For analyzing app performance and user behavior to improve our services and user experience.
• Firebase Analytics: For app performance tracking.
• MongoDB: Database storage (hosted in AWS Istanbul).
• AWS (Amazon Web Services): Cloud infrastructure in Turkey.

We ensure third parties comply with GDPR/KVKK via Data Processing Agreements (DPAs).

Important Note on External Navigation: RouteMe allows you to export created routes to third-party navigation applications on your device. Once a route is exported, your data handling and privacy are governed by the privacy policy of that third-party navigation application.

6. Data Storage Location

All user data is stored in Turkey (AWS Istanbul) to comply with KVKK. Data transfers outside Turkey use GDPR-approved safeguards (e.g., SCCs).

7. Your Rights (GDPR/KVKK)

Access/Correction: Request your data via Settings.

Deletion: Delete your account anytime in Settings.

Opt-Out of Ads: Disable ad personalization in device settings.

To exercise rights, contact: support@routeme.io

8. Data Retention

We retain data until:

• You delete your account.
• Legal requirements expire (e.g., tax records).

9. Children's Privacy

RouteMe is not for users under 16. We do not knowingly collect children's data.

10. Changes to This Policy

We'll notify users of updates via the App or email.

11. Contact Us

For KVKK/GDPR requests:
Email: support@routeme.io
Address: KONAKLAR MAH. AKÇAM CAD. NO: 23 IC KAPI NO: 6 BESIKTAS / ISTANBUL