Effective date: October 11, 2026
Ripple is operated by a student-led group. This policy explains what information Ripple collects, how it is used, and the choices you have.
When you create an account, we collect your email address, a display name you choose, and your confirmation that you are 13 or older (required to use Ripple).
When you submit a water quality reading, we collect the GPS location where you took the reading, the date and time, weather conditions, the sensor values you enter, an optional photo of the water, and any notes you add.
If you enable notifications, we collect a device push token so your conservation group can send you alerts.
Ripple only records your location at the moment you submit a reading, and only with your permission. Ripple does not track your location in the background, and does not request background location access on either iOS or Android.
Your readings, photos, and submission history belong to the conservation group you join. Admins and reviewers in your group can see your submissions, including your name and exact location, so they can respond to water quality concerns. Your data is never visible to members of a different conservation group.
If you choose to collect on your own, Ripple creates a personal collection that only you can see and manage, including its alert thresholds. You can have one conservation group and one personal collection at the same time; each time you submit a reading, you choose which one it goes to, and it is only visible within that one.
Ripple’s own team does not see your name, your email, your exact location, your photos, or any other information that could identify you. We only have access to anonymized, aggregated trends (for example, average readings for a lake over time), with all personal information removed.
We do not sell your data, and we do not use your data for advertising.
Ripple relies on a small number of service providers to operate:
Each of these providers only receives the data necessary to perform their specific function.
From within the app, you can:
We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, your profile information is removed, but your group’s submission records are retained in anonymized form, since that data belongs to the conservation group that collected it.
Ripple is not intended for use by anyone under 13. We require an affirmative confirmation of age at sign-up and do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
If this policy changes, we will update the effective date above and post the revised policy at this same address.
Questions about this policy or your data can be sent to fgajarsa@gmail.com.