This policy is specific to Shark Tooth Scout
This Privacy Policy applies to Shark Tooth Scout on iPhone, iPad, and Android, including Android testing releases, and to the Shark Tooth Scout pages on the Goodale Studios website. Other Goodale Studios apps have their own privacy policies.
Shark Tooth Scout does not require an account and does not include advertising, third-party analytics, or background location tracking. Goodale Studios does not operate a server that receives your Scout photos, field records, or location history.
Photos and on-device analysis
When you take a photo or choose one through the system photo picker, Shark Tooth Scout processes that image on your device to assess image quality and estimate visible morphology. Android delegates photo capture to your camera app. The selected image is not uploaded to Goodale Studios.
If you save a field record, Scout stores a resized photo locally. iOS uses its Application Support directory with complete file protection. Android uses app-private storage, limits the saved image to 2,048 pixels on its longest side, and re-encodes it without the original EXIF metadata. Goodale Studios cannot view, retrieve, or remotely delete that image.
Location and NOAA tide predictions
Location access is optional. When requested, Scout uses a foreground location reading either to find nearby NOAA tide-prediction stations or, if you choose, to add coordinates to a field record. The app does not request background location access or build a location history.
Nearby-station matching occurs on the device using a bundled catalog. To load a forecast, Scout sends the selected station identifier—not your device coordinates—to the NOAA Tides & Currents API. A station identifier can indicate a general coastal region. NOAA also receives connection and request information such as your IP address, requested URL, and timestamp. NOAA’s privacy policy describes its service-usage and security logging and retention; these requests are not necessarily processed only momentarily.
You can deny or later disable location access in iOS or Android Settings and still use Scout’s guide, tutorials, photo assessment, and field records. Nearby-station matching and automatic coordinates need location permission; other station or location choices depend on the app version.
Field records stored on your device
A saved field record can include the selected comparison, evidence score, visible traits, photo, date, measurement, beach name, optional coordinates, notes, review status, and favorite status. Records and photos stay in local storage: iOS file protection on Apple devices and app-private storage protected by Android’s sandbox and device security on Android.
Goodale Studios cannot access, sync, recover, correct, or remotely delete your field records. Records remain until you delete them, clear the app’s storage, or uninstall the app, subject to Apple device-backup behavior on iOS. Android cloud backup and device-to-device transfer of Scout app data are disabled. Share any reports you want to keep before clearing storage, uninstalling, or changing Android devices; Scout does not provide cloud recovery or a report-import restore service.
Sharing and maps
Sharing a field report is optional and uses your operating system’s share sheet. The report is sent only to the app or destination you choose and is then governed by that destination’s policies. Review it before sharing because it may include your notes, photo, or location details.
If a record includes coordinates, you may choose to open that location in Apple Maps on iOS or a maps app on Android. This sends the coordinates to the selected maps provider under its privacy practices. Scout does not open a map or share coordinates without your action.
Scout Pro purchase
Apple processes Scout Pro purchases on iOS through the App Store; Google processes Android purchases through Google Play. The app receives product, purchase, and entitlement information from the applicable store to unlock, acknowledge where required, and restore the purchase. Goodale Studios does not receive your full payment-card details or your Apple or Google account credentials, and Scout does not send purchase information to a Goodale Studios backend.
Scout Pro unlocks unlimited guided comparisons, all 37 comparative profiles, and unlimited saved field records. It is a non-consumable one-time unlock, not a subscription. The applicable store shows the current localized price and purchase terms before payment. Restore using the same store account on the same platform; Apple purchases do not transfer to Google Play or vice versa.
Website access and support
The Goodale Studios website host may process routine technical request data, such as IP address, browser type, requested page, and timestamp, to deliver and secure the website. Website activity is separate from data stored inside Scout.
If you email support, Goodale Studios receives your email address and anything you choose to include. That information is used to answer your request, investigate problems, protect the service, and meet legal obligations. It is not sold or used for targeted advertising.
Children’s privacy
Shark Tooth Scout does not ask users to create a Goodale Studios account or publish content. A parent or guardian should supervise a child’s location choices, collecting activity, sharing, and any communication with support. Contact us if you believe a child sent personal information to support.
Retention, security, and deletion
Scout uses iOS complete file protection for saved field-record files and photos on Apple devices, and app-private storage on Android. No method of storage is guaranteed to be completely secure, and anyone with authorized access to an unlocked device may be able to view app content.
Delete an individual record from its detail screen. On iOS, Delete All Field Records in Scout Settings removes the full field log. On Android, clear Shark Tooth Scout’s storage in Android Settings or uninstall the app to remove all local app data. This cannot be undone through Scout, and Android backups and device transfer are disabled. Apple backup and restore behavior may apply on iOS. NOAA, Apple, Google, the website host, and email providers retain data they control according to their own policies and legal obligations.
Changes and contact
This policy may be updated as Shark Tooth Scout develops. Material changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. For privacy questions, email support@goodalestudios.com and include Shark Tooth Scout in the subject line.
