Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 24, 2026  ·  Applies to the RideGT mobile app and website (ridegt.com)

RideGT is a free transit companion for Georgia Tech students and visitors. We built it to make getting around campus easier. This policy explains exactly what data we collect, why, and who we share it with. We do not sell your data.

1. Information We Collect

a) Website and app analytics

On the website, we use Vercel Analytics and Vercel Speed Insights for anonymous usage and performance metrics (for example, page views and web vitals). These services do not require an account and are described in Vercel’s analytics privacy policy.

In the RideGT app/backend, we also use PostHog for anonymous product analytics and reliability monitoring. We use this to understand feature usage and improve service quality, not to identify users.

b) Route search (transit routing)

When you search for a route, your starting and destination information is sent to our servers only to compute and return transit options. We do not use your searches for advertising, marketing profiles, or personal identity matching.

c) Route analytics events (PostHog)

We log anonymized route-search events to measure app quality and feature usage. Example event types include:

• route searched
• route search no results
• route search failed
• app initialized, nearby stops searched, and stop arrivals viewed

For search analytics, we store limited fields such as:

• Search mode (for example: regular search, set origin, drop pin)
• Search labels (the submitted origin/destination text, bounded in length, to diagnose no-route and failed searches)
• General route context (origin/destination type and coarse location tiles)
• Outcome/performance (results count, success/no-results/error, latency, request status)
• Technical context (app version, OS/platform, non-identifying install/session IDs)

For drop-pin destinations, analytics labels may appear as Pinned Location; coordinate details are represented using coarse tiles rather than exact long-term traces.

Important: this telemetry is designed to be non-identifying. We do not intentionally store your name, account identity, advertising ID, or precise long-term location history in analytics.

d) Recent locations (on your device)

The website may keep a short list of recent places you searched (for example, up to five), stored only on your device in browser storage, so we can show them as suggestions. You can clear this by clearing site data for RideGT in your browser settings.

e) Device location

When you tap "Use my location," the app requests access to your device's foreground location only (while the app is actively open). Your coordinates are used to:

• Display your position on the map
• Pre-fill the "From" field in route search

Your coordinates are transmitted to our backend server only as needed to compute routes and show results. We do not track your location in the background or over time.

f) Feedback submissions

If you choose to submit feedback through the in-app form, we collect:

• Your feedback message (required)
• Your email address (optional — only if you provide it)

Feedback is forwarded to the development team via email and is not stored in any database. We use it only to respond to your feedback and improve the app.

g) Crash reports (Sentry)

RideGT uses Sentry to automatically capture crash reports and errors (when configured). Sentry may collect:

• Stack trace of the error
• Device operating system version and model category
• App version
• Recent API calls that preceded the crash (URLs only — no request bodies)

We have disabled automatic PII collection in Sentry (sendDefaultPii: false). Sentry does not receive your name, email, or precise location.

h) What we do NOT collect

• Account credentials (there is no account system)
• Payment information
• Persistent device identifiers (IDFA, advertising ID)
• Push notification tokens
• Background location
• Any data from minors (the app is not directed at children under 13)

2. How We Use Your Information

We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or automated decision-making.

3. Third-Party Services

4. Data Retention

• Vercel Analytics / Speed Insights: Retained per Vercel’s policy.
• PostHog analytics events: Retained per project configuration and PostHog policy; used for aggregate reporting, debugging, and product improvement.
• Feedback emails: Retained in the developer's inbox until manually deleted.
• Crash reports: Retained in Sentry per Sentry’s default policy (typically on the order of ~90 days; see Sentry’s privacy policy).
• Recent locations (browser): Kept on your device until you clear site data or clear the list by replacing entries over time.

5. Your Rights

You may contact us with questions or requests about your data (including Vercel or Sentry data subject requests, where applicable) using the email below. We will respond within a reasonable time.

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to access, rectify, and erase your personal data where applicable. Our lawful basis for processing feedback you provide (optional email) is typically consent or legitimate interest in responding to support; analytics and crash data are processed in our legitimate interest in operating and improving the service.

6. Children's Privacy

RideGT is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as the app evolves. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

8. Contact Us

Questions or requests regarding this privacy policy:
vedantlalitbhatt@gmail.com

RideGT is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the Georgia Institute of Technology.