Privacy Policy
Squawster is a service of RadioReference.com LLC (“Squawster,” “we,” “us”), the company behind Broadcastify, RadioReference, and Incident Source. The major public-safety incident information in Squawster is produced by Incident Source and generated and classified by its Radiant Glow artificial-intelligence system. This Privacy Policy explains what we collect when you use the Squawster mobile apps and this website (the “Service”), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. It is part of, and should be read with, our Terms of Service.
1. Information we collect
- Account information. If you sign in with a Broadcastify or RadioReference account, we receive your account identifier, email, and display name so we can authenticate you and sync your settings. Squawster does not create a separate password.
- Device and notification data. To deliver alerts you opt into, we collect a per-install device identifier and a push-notification token from Apple or Google, plus basic device details (model, operating system, and app version).
- Usage and diagnostic data. We collect logs and diagnostic information (such as which feeds are played, errors, and performance data) to keep the Service reliable and to improve it.
- Location. Only if you enable location-based feeds or alerts, we use your device location to show nearby feeds and incidents and to personalize the content we deliver to you. We store this location on our own servers to provide these personalized features, and we never sell or share the location you grant us with any third party (including advertisers). You can turn location access off in your device settings at any time.
- Subscription and purchase data. If you subscribe to Squawster Pro through the app, the purchase is processed by the Apple App Store or Google Play, and validated through our payments provider (RevenueCat). We receive a subscription status and an anonymized subscriber identifier, not your credit-card number or full payment details.
- Support communications. If you contact us, we keep your message and the identifiers you share (such as your Install ID) to help resolve your issue.
- Advertising identifiers. For users who are not Squawster Pro subscribers, Google’s ad services may access your device’s advertising identifier (Apple’s IDFA or Google’s Advertising ID) and related signals to serve, cap, and measure ads. See Section 4.
- Website cookies. This website uses cookies and similar technologies to remember preferences and measure usage (see Section 5).
2. How we use information
We use the information above to: provide live audio, archives, and incident alerts; authenticate you and sync your favorites, playlists, and settings across devices; deliver the notifications you opt into; process and validate Squawster Pro subscriptions and confirm your entitlements; investigate abuse, enforce our Terms, and secure the Service; provide customer support; and develop and improve features. We do not use scanner audio or your content to train advertising profiles.
3. How we share information
We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as follows:
- Within the RadioReference Network (RadioReference, Broadcastify, and Incident Source) to provide and support the shared audio, data, and account services that power Squawster.
- With service providers that operate the Service under our instructions, for example Apple and Google (app distribution and push delivery), RevenueCat (subscription validation), and Amazon Web Services (hosting and notification infrastructure).
- With advertising providers. For users who are not Pro subscribers, Google (AdMob and AdSense) and its advertising partners receive the signals described in Section 4 to serve and measure ads. We do not sell your personal information or share your account email with advertisers.
- For legal reasons, when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of Squawster, our users, or the public.
- In a business transfer, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to this Policy.
The device location you grant us for personalized content is never shared with any third party. We store it on our own servers solely to deliver nearby and personalized features, and it is not passed to advertisers or ad networks.
4. Advertising
The Service is free and is supported by advertising for users who are not Squawster Pro subscribers; Squawster Pro removes ads. Ads within the apps are served by Google AdMob, and ads on this website by Google AdSense. To serve, cap, and measure those ads (and, where permitted, to personalize them), Google and its advertising partners may collect and use device and usage signals, including your device’s advertising identifier (Apple’s IDFA or Google’s Advertising ID), IP address, cookies or similar technologies, and approximate location inferred by Google from your IP address. This approximate, ad-network location is separate from, and does not use, the precise device location you may grant Squawster for personalized content, which we never share (see Section 1). This processing is governed by Google’s own policies; see how Google uses information from sites and apps that use its services, and Google’s Privacy Policy, at policies.google.com.
You can control this. You may limit ad personalization and reset or delete your advertising identifier in your device settings (on iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking, and Apple Advertising; on Android: Settings > Google > Ads). Where required, we will ask your permission before using your advertising identifier for tracking. We do not share your account email with advertisers, and subscribing to Squawster Pro removes ads entirely.
5. Cookies and analytics
On this website, cookies keep you signed in, remember preferences, and let us measure aggregate usage. Most browsers accept cookies by default; you can refuse or delete them in your browser settings, though some features may not function properly without them. The mobile apps do not use browser cookies but do use the identifiers described in Section 1.
6. Data retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to operate the Service, provide features you use, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Delivered-notification history is kept only briefly to backfill your in-app notification list, and inactive push registrations are periodically removed.
7. Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, including encrypted transport. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your choices
- Manage notification permissions and location access in your device settings, and choose which alert topics you receive inside the app.
- Manage or cancel a Squawster Pro subscription in your Apple App Store or Google Play account settings.
- Manage or delete your Broadcastify / RadioReference account through that account, or contact us to request access to or deletion of information we hold, subject to legal limits.
9. Children’s privacy
The Service is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.
10. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the effective date above and, where appropriate, by notice in the app or on this site.
11. Contact
Privacy questions or requests: privacy@radioreference.com. General support: support@broadcastify.com.