Privacy policy
Last updated 3 November 2026
LitterLoops is a free app for people who pick up litter on walks. This policy explains what we collect, why, who can see it, and what you can do about it. We don't sell your data, we don't show ads, and we don't use advertising or analytics trackers.
LitterLoops is run from the United Kingdom and is the data controller for the information below. Contact us at [email protected].
What we collect
| What | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Email address, or the account ID and email from Sign in with Apple or Google | When you sign in | To create your account and sign you in |
| Name, handle and profile photo | When you set up or edit your profile | So other people can see who greened a street, follow you and like your walks |
| Precise location (GPS points along your route, with time and accuracy) | Only while a walk is running, including with the phone in your pocket | To work out which streets you walked and turn them green |
| Approximate map position | While the app is open | To load the streets, areas and bins around you. It isn't stored against your account. |
| Walk details: distance, time, bags picked, streets greened, XP | When you finish a walk | For your profile, area scores and the feed |
| Photos of your haul, your posts, or a public bin | Only when you add one | To show in the feed or on the bin. Location data is stripped from photos on your phone before upload. |
| Posts, likes, follows and reports | When you use them | To run the feed and keep it safe |
| Bin reports: where a bin is, and when you confirmed one | When you tap "Bin here" or confirm a bin | To map public bins for everyone |
Notifications about your streets fading are scheduled on your phone; we don't use a push notification service. We don't collect your contacts, and we don't access your location when no walk is running and the app is closed.
Who can see what
- Everyone on LitterLoops can see which streets are green, your name and handle on a street you greened, and public bins.
- People nearby and your followers see your walks in the feed: the route, distance, photo and stats. The first and last 150 metres of every route are cut off, so no one can see where you start or finish.
- With a private account, only followers you approve see your walks, and your name is hidden on streets you greened.
- Your full GPS trace and your email address are never shown to anyone.
Legal basis
Under UK and EU data protection law we use your information to provide the app you signed up for (contract), and to keep LitterLoops safe and working, for example stopping cheating and handling reports (legitimate interests). Location is used only with the permission you give on your phone, which you can turn off at any time in your phone's settings.
Services we use
These companies process data for us, under contracts that protect it:
- Supabase hosts our database, sign-in and photo storage, in London (UK).
- Resend sends your sign-in code emails.
- Apple and Google, if you choose to sign in with them.
- OpenFreeMap serves the map tiles and OpenStreetMap Overpass servers provide street data. Your phone asks them for the area on screen, so they see your IP address and that area, but nothing about your account.
Some of these companies are based in the US. Where data leaves the UK, it's protected by the UK International Data Transfer Addendum or the UK–US data bridge.
The starter kit in the app links to Amazon. We earn a small commission on purchases made through those links. What you do on Amazon is covered by Amazon's privacy notice, not this one.
How long we keep it
We keep your account and walks for as long as you have an account. Delete it and everything tied to you goes straight away, and from our backups within 7 days. Streets you greened stay green, and bins you added stay on the map, with no name attached. See delete your account.
Your rights
You can ask for a copy of your data, ask us to correct it or delete it, object to how we use it, or ask us to restrict it. Email [email protected] and we'll reply within a month. If you're unhappy with how we've handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Children
LitterLoops is for people aged 13 and over. If you think a child under 13 has an account, tell us and we'll delete it.
Changes
If we change this policy we'll update the date at the top, and tell you in the app if the change matters.