Run4Tree Privacy Policy
Effective: August 26, 2026 · Last updated: October 1, 2026
Run4Tree is a running app that turns real-world runs into real trees. This policy explains, in plain terms, what information the app touches, why, and what choices you have. Run4Tree does not require an account. Your runs, routes, and location stay on your device. The only things that go online are what the community features need: the nickname, avatar, and messages you share in the Global Forest, and activity counts for the group challenges you join.
1. Information we collect
Location data
Run4Tree uses your device's GPS (fine and coarse location) while you record a run, so it can draw your route on the map and calculate distance and pace. Location is also used to fetch local weather conditions for your run. Your location and routes stay on your device inside the app's local database — they are never uploaded to our backend or shared with other users.
Community data (Global Forest and group challenges)
To show the Global Forest and group challenges, Run4Tree stores the following on Firebase, a cloud service operated by Google:
- Your nickname and avatar (the sticker you chose). They are shown next to the trees you plant and in the group rankings.
- The message you write when you plant a tree, together with the tree's species and planting project. These are public: everyone using the app can see them in the Global Forest.
- Group challenge activity: which groups you joined and your activity counts in them (number of exercises, duration, seeds earned). We do not send routes, distances, or location to the group.
- A random identifier for your install, so your posts and group activity can be linked together. It is not linked to your real name, email, or phone number.
- A notification token, only if you turn on "Tell me when others plant", so we can send you those notifications.
Use a nickname you are comfortable sharing publicly, and don't put personal details in your tree messages.
Advertising data
Run4Tree shows rewarded ads (for example, to unlock extra tree-planting progress) through Google's Mobile Ads SDK (AdMob). Google and its partners may collect device identifiers, general device information, and ad-interaction data to serve and measure ads. See Third-party services for details.
App usage identifier
Run4Tree uses RevenueCat to manage ad delivery and verify rewards. RevenueCat assigns an anonymous app user ID to your install — this identifier is not linked to your name, email, or any other personal profile, because Run4Tree does not currently have account creation or login.
Locally stored activity data
Your run history, routes, garden/tree progress, and the age you enter in your profile are stored locally on your device using an on-device database. This data is not transmitted to us and is removed if you uninstall the app or clear its storage.
What we don't collect: Run4Tree has no login or account system, so we do not collect your email address, phone number, password, or real name. Your age, routes, and location never leave your device.
2. How we use information
- To record and display your running routes, distance, and pace on a map.
- To show current weather conditions relevant to your run.
- To deliver rewarded advertising and verify that a reward (such as progress toward planting a tree) was legitimately earned.
- To keep your run history and virtual garden available between app sessions on the same device.
- To show the Global Forest and the rankings of the group challenges you join.
- To send you notifications when others plant trees, if you turned that option on.
We do not use your information to build an advertising profile of you ourselves, and we do not sell personal information.
3. Third-party services
Run4Tree relies on the following third-party services, each governed by its own privacy policy:
| Service | Purpose | Data involved |
|---|---|---|
| Google Mobile Ads (AdMob) | Shows rewarded ads | Advertising ID, device info, ad interactions |
| RevenueCat | Ad delivery management & reward verification | Anonymous app user ID, event data |
| Firebase (Google) | Stores the Global Forest and group challenges; sends optional notifications | Install identifier, nickname, avatar, tree messages, group activity counts, notification token |
| Google Maps Platform | Displays your run route on a map | Location coordinates during a run |
| OpenWeatherMap | Provides local weather conditions | Approximate location (coordinates) |
| Tree-Nation | Fulfills real tree planting tied to app milestones | Aggregate planting counts (no personal data) |
We encourage you to review each provider's own privacy policy for details on how they handle data: Google Privacy Policy (covers AdMob and Maps), Firebase Privacy and Security, and RevenueCat Privacy Policy.
4. Data sharing
We do not sell your personal information. Information is shared only with the third-party services listed above, to the extent needed for them to perform the function described (serving ads, verifying rewards, storing community features, rendering maps, or fetching weather). We do not share your run history or location history with any other party.
What other users can see: your nickname, avatar, and the trees you plant with their messages are visible to everyone in the Global Forest. Members of a group challenge you join can see your nickname, avatar, and activity counts in that group's ranking.
5. Retention & deletion
Run history, routes, and garden progress are stored only on your device for as long as the app is installed. You can delete this data at any time by clearing the app's storage in your device settings or by uninstalling Run4Tree.
Community data (your nickname, avatar, tree messages, and group activity) is kept on Firebase while the Global Forest and your groups exist. Uninstalling the app does not remove it. To have it deleted, email running4tree@gmail.com with the subject "Data deletion" and your nickname. The trees already planted stay planted, but they will no longer show your nickname or message.
Data held by other third-party services (such as advertising identifiers) is retained and deleted according to that provider's own policy.
6. Children's privacy
Run4Tree is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the app, please contact us so we can address it.
7. Security
We take reasonable measures to protect information handled by the app. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your choices
- Location permission: you can grant, deny, or revoke location access at any time in your device's app settings. Denying it will limit route tracking and weather features.
- Ad personalization: you can limit ad tracking and reset your advertising identifier through your device's settings (for example, Android Settings → Privacy → Ads).
- Notifications: "Tell me when others plant" is off by default. You can turn it on or off at any time in your profile.
- What you share: writing a message when you plant a tree and joining group challenges are optional.
- Deleting your data: uninstalling the app or clearing its storage removes all locally stored run and garden data. To delete your community data, see Retention & deletion.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as Run4Tree evolves — for example, if account creation or subscriptions are introduced in the future. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
10. Contact us
Questions about this policy or how Run4Tree handles information:
Run4Tree — Privacy Policy. This document is provided for transparency about app data practices and to satisfy app store distribution requirements.