Starfest 2026 - App Privacy Policy

Effective date: May 15, 2026 · Operator: North York Astronomical Association (NYAA)

Starfest does not retain personal information with this app. It exists solely for the enjoyment of our attendees. Users can opt out of every data retention option at any time, or choose to uninstall the app entirely.

The app is intended for general audiences attending Starfest. It has no sign-up, no account, and no fields for name, email, phone, or other personal information. The only text a user can submit is the optional display name and note attached to their own Camp Map pin — and that pin can be removed by the user at any time via the Remove button on the Camper Map screen.

This policy describes what information the Starfest mobile app ("the app") collects, how it is used, and the choices you have. The app is provided by the North York Astronomical Association (NYAA) to attendees of the Starfest star party.

What we collect

The app stores a small amount of information to make its features work. Everything below is either anonymous, voluntary, or opt-in.

• Anonymous device identifier. When the app first starts it generates a random ID and stores it locally on your device. It is not tied to your name, email, or any account, and we cannot use it to identify you across other apps or services. It exists so the app can tell which camp-map pin belongs to your device.
• Push notification token (opt-in). If you accept the notification prompt, your device's Expo push token is stored on our server. The token lets us deliver NYAA announcements during Starfest (schedule changes, weather alerts, etc.). It contains no personal information about you. If you decline, no token is stored.
• Camp Map pins (opt-in). If you drop a pin on the Camper Map, the latitude and longitude you choose, the short display name you type (up to 12 characters of free text — may be your real name, nickname, or "Anonymous"), and the pin colour are stored on our server so other attendees using the app can see your pin. You may move or remove your pin at any time.

What we do NOT collect

• Your name, email address, or phone number.
• Your device location. The app does not request location permission. The Camp Map pin is whatever spot you tap and drag on the map — never your GPS position.
• Any advertising identifier, contacts, photos, or device information beyond what the platform OS reports.
• Any usage analytics for behavioural advertising.

How we use the information

• To run the in-app features described above (camp map, notifications).
• To send NYAA announcements during the event when you've opted in.

Who has access

• NYAA staff: can send push notifications and clear all Camp Map pins (e.g. between annual events).
• Other Starfest attendees using the app: can see Camp Map pins you have chosen to share (your display name, latitude/longitude, colour). They cannot see your device identifier or anything not in your published pin.
• Service providers: data is stored in Google Firebase (Firestore and Cloud Functions). Push notifications are delivered via Expo's push service. Both providers have their own privacy policies covering their infrastructure.

Data retention

• Camp Map pins remain visible until you remove them or until NYAA staff clears the map (typically between annual events).
• Push tokens remain on file until you uninstall the app or revoke notification permissions in your OS settings.
• The anonymous device identifier stays on your device and is destroyed when you uninstall the app.

Your choices

• Notifications: opt in or out via the prompt on first launch, anytime in-app via the More menu → Settings → Push Notifications, or via your OS notification settings for the Starfest app.
• Camp Map pin: you choose whether to drop a pin. You can move or remove it from the Camper Map screen at any time.
• Calendar access: the app asks for permission only when you tap the Add to Calendar button on an event card. You can enable or revoke this anytime in-app via the More menu → Settings → Calendar Access, or via your OS settings. Calendar entries you add are written to your phone's calendar and can be removed by tapping the same button again (which shows "Added") or by deleting the event from your phone's calendar app.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy if app features change. The effective date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of the app after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

Questions or requests about this policy or your data: info@nyaa.ca