Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 17, 2026
Last Updated: January 17, 2026

TL;DR

we don’t sell your data. your favorite airports and weather preferences are yours. we use them to make Metar Echo work, nothing else.

what we collect:

  • airports you save as favorites
  • app usage data (which features you use, when)
  • subscription status (via Apple)
  • optional: location for nearby airports

what we do with it:

  • fetch weather data for your airports
  • provide AI analysis (Plus subscribers)
  • improve the app experience
  • manage subscriptions via Apple

what we don’t do:

  • sell or rent your data
  • train public AI models on your usage
  • share with advertisers
  • track you across other apps or websites

your rights:

  • delete your data anytime (in app settings)
  • export your airport list
  • opt out of analytics
  • manage subscription via Apple

this is the friendly version. the legal stuff below is binding.

Overview

Metar Echo (“Metar Echo,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is an iOS application that provides real-time aviation weather intelligence for pilots. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you use our app (the “App” or “Service”).

By using Metar Echo, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

1. Information You Provide Directly

Airport Preferences:

  • Airport ICAO codes you add as favorites
  • Custom airport names or notes (if provided)
  • Order/priority of favorite airports

App Settings:

  • Display preferences (units, theme)
  • Notification preferences
  • Widget configuration

Optional Location Data:

  • Device location (only if you grant permission)
  • Used solely to suggest nearby airports
  • Can be disabled at any time in iOS Settings

2. Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data:

  • Features accessed (weather views, widgets, etc.)
  • Frequency of app opens
  • Airports queried
  • Time spent in app
  • Device type and iOS version

Weather Data Requests:

  • Which airports you request weather for
  • Timestamp of weather requests
  • Types of data viewed (METAR, TAF, analysis)

Crash and Performance Data:

  • App crashes and errors
  • Performance metrics (load times, API response times)
  • Device model and iOS version

3. Information from Third Parties

Apple App Store:

  • Subscription status (active, expired, trial)
  • Purchase receipts (validated with Apple)
  • Apple ID (hashed, for subscription verification only)

Weather Data Providers:

  • We fetch weather data from official sources: (e.g. FAA/NOAA/NWS)
  • No personal information is sent to weather providers
  • Only airport ICAO codes are transmitted

AI Service Providers (Plus Subscribers Only):

  • Weather data and airport codes sent to AI providers for analysis
  • No personal identifying information is included
  • Responses are not used to train public models

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide the Service

  • Fetch current weather data for your favorite airports
  • Display METAR, TAF, PIREPs, and hazard information
  • Generate AI-powered weather analysis (Plus subscribers)
  • Calculate density altitude (Plus subscribers)
  • Update home screen widgets
  • Send weather update notifications (if enabled)

Personalize Your Experience

  • Remember your favorite airports
  • Maintain your display preferences
  • Suggest nearby airports (if location enabled)
  • Sync data across your devices via iCloud (if enabled)

Improve the Service

  • Analyze usage patterns to improve features
  • Identify and fix bugs
  • Monitor API performance
  • Develop new features based on usage data

Manage Subscriptions

  • Verify Plus subscription status with Apple
  • Provide access to premium features
  • Process subscription changes

Compliance & Security

  • Prevent fraud and abuse
  • Enforce our Terms of Service
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Protect rights and safety of users

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We Share Your Information With:

Weather Data Providers:

  • FAA/NOAA/NWS: We send airport ICAO codes to fetch weather data
  • No personal information is transmitted
  • Public weather data only

AI Service Providers (Plus Subscribers Only):

  • AI providers: Weather data and airport codes for analysis generation
  • No personal identifying information is included
  • Your data is not used to train public AI models
  • Providers are contractually obligated to protect your data

Apple:

  • App Store: Subscription management and validation
  • Apple handles all payment processing
  • We receive only subscription status, not payment details

Cloud Services:

  • iCloud (Optional): If you enable iCloud sync, your favorite airports sync across your devices
  • Encrypted and controlled by Apple
  • Can be disabled in iOS Settings

We Do NOT:

  • Sell your personal information to third parties
  • Share your data with advertisers
  • Provide your information to data brokers
  • Use your data to train AI models for other companies
  • Track you across other apps or websites

AI and Machine Learning

How We Use AI (Plus Subscribers)

Weather Analysis: We use AI language models to:

  • Analyze current weather conditions
  • Interpret forecast trends
  • Identify potential hazards
  • Generate plain-English briefings

Data Sent to AI Providers: To generate analysis, we send:

  • Current METAR data
  • TAF forecast data
  • Active PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs
  • Airport ICAO code
  • Calculated density altitude

What We Do NOT Send:

  • Your name or identity
  • Device identifiers
  • Location data
  • Usage history
  • Any personal information

Data Retention by AI Providers:

  • AI providers do not use your data to train public models
  • Queries are processed in real-time
  • No long-term storage of your weather requests
  • We maintain conversation history locally on your device only

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

Encryption:

  • All data transmitted over HTTPS/TLS
  • iCloud data encrypted by Apple
  • Local data encrypted on device

Access Control:

  • Minimal data collection
  • No user accounts or passwords required
  • Subscription validation via Apple only

Data Minimization:

  • We collect only what’s necessary
  • No tracking across apps or websites
  • No advertising identifiers

Infrastructure:

  • Secure API endpoints
  • Regular security updates
  • Automated monitoring

Data Retention

Active Users:

  • Favorite airports: Retained while app is installed
  • Usage data: Retained for 90 days
  • Crash logs: Retained for 30 days

Deleted App:

  • Local data deleted when app is uninstalled
  • iCloud data removed if you disable iCloud sync
  • Server-side usage data deleted after 90 days

Subscription Data:

  • Subscription records retained per Apple requirements
  • Typically 1 year after subscription ends

Your Rights and Choices

Access and Control

  • View your data: All data is visible in the app
  • Delete data: Remove favorite airports anytime
  • Export data: Export your airport list from settings
  • Delete app: Uninstall to remove all local data

Privacy Controls

  • Disable location: Turn off location access in iOS Settings
  • Disable iCloud sync: Turn off in iOS Settings → iCloud
  • Disable analytics: Opt out in app settings
  • Disable notifications: Manage in iOS Settings

Subscription Management

  • View subscription: iOS Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions
  • Cancel subscription: Manage via Apple, not Metar Echo
  • Subscription data: Contact Apple for payment information

To exercise these rights, use the in-app settings or email support@metarecho.com.

Children’s Privacy

Metar Echo is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:

Right to Know: What personal information we collect, use, and share
Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of sale of personal information (we don’t sell data)
Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@metarecho.com.

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, or Switzerland:

Legal Basis for Processing:

  • Consent: You provide consent by using the app
  • Contract: Processing necessary to provide the Service
  • Legitimate Interest: Improve service, prevent fraud, ensure security

Your Rights:

  • Access, rectification, erasure, and data portability
  • Restrict or object to processing
  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • Lodge a complaint with your data protection authority

Data Transfers: We use standard contractual clauses for international data transfers.

Location Data

Metar Echo MAY USE GPS AND LOCATION SERVICES TO SUGGEST NEARBY AIRPORTS.

Location data is:

  • Optional (you must grant permission)
  • Used only to suggest nearby airports
  • Never shared with third parties
  • Never stored on our servers
  • Processed locally on your device

You can disable location access at any time in iOS Settings → Metar Echo → Location.

The Service is NOT intended for:

  • Primary navigation during flight operations
  • Life support or safety-critical systems
  • Any use where failure could lead to death, personal injury, or severe environmental damage

You acknowledge that:

  • Location features are supplemental tools only
  • You must use appropriate navigation equipment for flight
  • No software can replace proper navigation procedures

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes are effective when posted. We will notify you of material changes via:

  • In-app notification
  • Email (if provided)
  • Notice on our website

Last material change: Initial policy publication

Third-Party Services

Our Service integrates with third-party services that have their own privacy policies:

Key Third Parties:

We encourage you to review their policies.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

Email: support@metarecho.com
Privacy inquiries: support@metarecho.com
Security issues: security@metarecho.com

Data Processing Summary

Summary: We collect minimal information necessary to provide aviation weather intelligence. Your favorite airports and app preferences are stored locally and optionally synced via iCloud. We fetch weather data from public FAA/NOAA/NWS sources. Plus subscribers’ weather data is sent to AI providers for analysis generation, but no personal information is included. We do not sell data, track you across apps, or use your information for advertising. You can delete your data anytime by uninstalling the app or disabling iCloud sync.

Last Updated: January 17, 2026

If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, do not use Metar Echo.