YellowstoneCastPrivacy Policy
Effective November 9, 2026
YellowstoneCast is a weather and conditions app for the Greater Yellowstone area, made by Big Sky Wildlife Media LLC ("we", "us"). This policy explains what information the app collects, how it's used and the choices you have. We don't sell your information, we don't show ads, and we don't track you across other apps or websites.
Using the app without an account
You can browse the map, weather stations and community reports without signing in. In that case we don't collect any personal information about you. To show weather data, the app connects directly to the services listed under Services we rely on.
Information you give us
- Account. If you create an account, we collect your email address and a password, or the information Apple shares when you use Sign in with Apple: your name (if you choose to share it) and either your email address or an Apple private relay address. Passwords are handled by Firebase Authentication; we never see them.
- Profile. Your display name and, if you add them, a profile photo, a short bio and links to your social media or website.
- Conditions reports. When you submit a report, we store its location and place name, the time, your display name, and whatever you add: temperature, wind, sky conditions, notes and up to three photos. The app also saves the forecast model's conditions for that spot alongside the report.
- Flags. If you flag a report, we record that it was flagged so we can review it.
- Messages. If you email us, we keep your message and email address so we can reply.
Location
With your permission, the app uses your device's location while you're using it, to center the map on you and to place the reports you submit. The app does not use your location in the background. Your location is only stored by us when it's part of a report you choose to submit. You can turn off location access at any time in your iPhone's Settings; the map and reports still work without it.
Photos and camera
The app asks for camera and photo library access only so you can attach photos to reports or set a profile photo. It only uploads the photos you pick. Photos are resized before upload.
What other people can see
- Reports are public. Everyone using the app can see your reports, including their location, photos, notes and your display name. Reports appear on the map for 72 hours and then stop being shown on the map.
- Profiles (display name, photo, bio and links) can be seen by other signed-in users.
- We don't show your email address to other users.
Please don't include anything in a report or photo that you don't want to share publicly, such as other people's faces or license plates.
How we use information
- To run the app: sign you in, show and store reports, and sync reports you made offline.
- To keep the community useful and safe: review flagged reports and remove content or accounts that break our Terms of Use.
- To respond to you when you contact us.
- To comply with the law and protect our rights and the safety of our users.
Services we rely on
These service providers process information to make the app work. Each handles it under its own privacy policy.
- Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore and Cloud Storage) stores accounts, profiles, reports and photos on servers in the United States. Firebase privacy information.
- Apple, if you use Sign in with Apple. Apple Privacy Policy.
- Mapbox provides the maps. The Mapbox software in the app may collect device and map usage information, such as your IP address and general location, to deliver and improve maps. Mapbox Privacy Policy.
- Open-Meteo receives the coordinates of the place you're looking at or reporting from, to return forecast conditions. Open-Meteo privacy.
- National Weather Service and NRCS (US government) receive requests from the app for station data, which include your device's IP address as with any internet request.
We don't use advertising or analytics services in the app.
Information stored on your device
The app keeps a short-term cache of stations and reports so it works without signal, plus any reports waiting to be sent. Deleting the app removes this data.
How long we keep information
We keep your account, profile and reports until you delete them or delete your account. You can delete any of your reports from the report's page in the app. Flags and messages are kept as long as needed to handle them.
Deleting your account
You can delete your account in the app: open the Profile tab and choose Delete account. This permanently deletes your account, profile, profile photo, and all of your reports and their photos. If you can't access the app, email us from the address on your account and we'll delete it for you. Deleted information may remain in our providers' logs or backups for a limited time before it's removed.
Your choices and rights
You can view and edit your profile in the app, delete your reports, and delete your account at any time. You can also email us to ask for a copy of your information or to correct or delete it. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under local law; we'll honor requests as the law requires.
Security
Information is sent over encrypted connections and stored with Google Firebase, which restricts who can read and change it. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information.
Children
YellowstoneCast isn't directed to children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we'll delete it.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we'll update the effective date above. For significant changes, we'll also let you know in the app.
Contact us
Big Sky Wildlife Media LLCPO Box 377
Gardiner, MT 59030-0377
scott@bigskywildlife.com