Tiny Maps (tinymaps.org) ("we," "us") is an independent community map project. This page explains, in plain language, what information exists when you use Tiny Maps, who holds it, and how long it sticks around. We built Tiny Maps to need as little of your information as possible — you can browse and post without ever creating an account or telling us your name.
1. What you give us when you post
Posts on Tiny Maps are public. When you create a post, we store:
- The content you write (title, description, category, any image you attach);
- The map location (pin) you place — choose it thoughtfully; a pin on your home is visible to everyone;
- Replies to posts happen through private in-app Messages — posts have no public contact field. Anything you choose to type in a post's title or description is still public;
- A timestamp and an anonymous account ID (see below) that links your posts together.
Don't put anything in a public post you wouldn't put on a physical flyer on a lamppost.
2. Anonymous accounts
The first time you visit, Tiny Maps silently creates an anonymous account for your browser (no name, no email, no password). This exists so your posts belong to you — it lets you edit or delete your own posts, and lets us enforce fair-use limits (like the 3-posts-per-day cap). We store the account's creation time and sign-in times. We do not know who you are from this account.
3. What our service providers collect
Like nearly every website, Tiny Maps runs on infrastructure providers, and they keep standard server logs that include IP addresses and timestamps:
We do not run advertising trackers, ad networks, or fingerprinting. The only usage data we keep are anonymous visit counts (via GoatCounter, above) and coupon opens/copies, which are stored without any user identifier.
4. Your device location
If you tap "use my location," your browser asks permission and we use your position only on your device to center the map or help you place a pin. Your location is never sent to our servers unless you publish a post at that spot — in which case the pin is part of the public post.
5. Data stored on your device
Tiny Maps caches map data and your session in your browser's local storage so the site loads fast and remembers you. That data lives on your device, not our servers, and clearing your browser data removes it.
6. Contact forms
If you send a message through a contact form (like writing to the Mayor's Office), we receive the message and any name or reply email you include, via Netlify Forms. We keep these until answered and periodically delete old submissions.
7. How long things last
- Public posts: until they expire or you (or we) delete them.
- Anonymous account records: until deleted.
- Provider IP logs: automatic deletion on the schedules above (~30 days at most).
- Coupon counters: periodically purged; never tied to you.
8. Legal requests
We may disclose information we hold if required by valid legal process (such as a subpoena or court order), and our infrastructure providers may be legally compelled to do the same with the logs they hold. We review any request before responding and disclose only what the law requires. It's worth repeating: we intentionally keep very little — we cannot produce information we never collected.
9. Kids
Tiny Maps is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has posted personal information, contact us and we'll remove it.
10. Deleting your stuff
You can delete your own posts in the app at any time. To request deletion of anything else (a post that mentions you, your anonymous account record, a form submission), email us and we'll take care of it.
11. Changes & contact
If we change this policy, we'll update this page and the date at the top. Questions or requests: privacy@tinymaps.org.
This page describes our practices as of the effective date and is provided for transparency; it is not a contract.