Privacy & Data

Plain-language summary of what we record and why.

When you submit a sighting or register for alerts, we record your IP address, browser/device information, and location (from the map, your device's geolocation, an uploaded photo's GPS data, or your IP address).

What we collect

Why we collect it

To keep crowd-sourced reports trustworthy and reduce abuse, to place sightings accurately on the map, and to send the cluster alerts you ask for. We apply automated bot/spam protection to submissions.

What's public

Approved sightings — shape, location, time, details, and any media — are shown publicly on the map and on shareable sighting pages. We do not publish your IP address, email, or device information.

Alerts & email

Registration is password-less. We email a confirmation link; alerts are delivered as browser push notifications. You can stop alerts by blocking notifications in your browser.

Your choices

Reporting is anonymous — you don't need an account. You choose your location precisely (map pin), approximately (your device), or not at all beyond what your IP implies.

See also our Terms of Use.