Who We Are
Dead Drop is developed and operated by Third Party Services LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company. You can reach us at [email protected].
What This Policy Covers
This policy explains what information Dead Drop collects when you use the app, how that information is used, and the choices you have. It applies to the Dead Drop mobile application on Android and iOS.
Information We Collect
Location Data
Dead Drop requires your device location to place and discover anonymous messages tied to real-world GPS coordinates. The app requests foreground location permission only — it does not access your location when the app is closed or running in the background. Location data is used in real time to determine proximity to drops and is not stored on our servers in its precise form.
Message Content
Messages you compose and drop are stored temporarily (24-hour TTL) so nearby users can discover them. In solo mode (the default), messages are stored only on your device and never transmitted to any server.
Usage Data (Online Mode)
If the optional online/Firebase mode is enabled, basic usage events (drop created, drop discovered) may be collected to support app functionality. No account registration or personally identifiable information is required.
Device Identifiers
We do not collect device advertising IDs. Standard crash and performance data may be collected by the Expo/React Native runtime to help us fix bugs.
How We Use Your Information
- To enable core app features — placing drops at GPS coordinates and discovering nearby drops
- To enforce the 24-hour message expiration (TTL cleanup)
- To diagnose crashes and improve stability
We do not sell your information. We do not use your data for advertising targeting. We do not share your location data with third parties except as required by law.
Data Retention
Messages created in solo mode exist only on your device and are deleted after 24 hours or when you clear app data. Online-mode drops are deleted from our servers after 24 hours. If you uninstall the app, all locally stored data is removed.
Third-Party Services
Dead Drop may use the following third-party services:
- Expo (EAS) — build and update delivery platform. See Expo Privacy Policy.
- Google Firebase (optional, online mode only) — real-time database for message sync. See Firebase Privacy Policy.
- Google Analytics — aggregate app usage stats. See Google Privacy Policy.
Children's Privacy
Dead Drop is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided information through the app, contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.
Your Rights
You may request deletion of any data associated with your use of the app by emailing [email protected]. Since the default solo mode stores everything locally, uninstalling the app achieves complete data deletion on your end.
Security
We apply reasonable technical measures to protect information handled by this app. Messages are ephemeral by design — they expire after 24 hours. No user account or persistent profile is created.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the app evolves. Material changes will be noted in the app's update release notes. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the app after a policy change constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Email us at [email protected] or visit thirdpartyservicesllc.com.
For support questions about the app itself, see the Dead Drop Support page.