Privacy policy

Effective 28 September 2026. This policy covers the Power Cuts Live Android app (live.powercuts.app) and the services behind it at powercuts.live.

The short version

You don't need an account, and we never ask for your name, phone number or email.
When you report a power cut or restoration, your report is public: anyone using the app can see it on the map at the precise spot where you made it, with its status and time.
If you only view the map, your location stays on your phone.
No ads, no analytics or tracking tools, and we don't sell data.

When you only view the map

If you allow location access, the app uses your location on your phone to centre the map and to work out which state you are in, so it downloads the right reports. Your location is not sent to us for this. The app only asks for the reports of the states in view, so our servers can tell which states' reports were downloaded, but not where you are.

The app downloads map tiles and report data from our servers. As with any internet request, our hosting provider sees your IP address to deliver the data (see "Service providers").

When you make a report

Before your first report the app shows a notice explaining that reports are public, and nothing is sent until you tap Continue. Each report sends:

Your precise location at the moment you report.
The status: power cut, or power back.
Your state, as worked out on your phone.
A device identifier. It is a one-way hash made on your phone from Android's app-specific ID. The raw Android ID never leaves your phone, and the identifier can't be matched with other apps. We use it only so each phone has one current report (a new report replaces your previous one) and to stop repeated reports within a short time.

Our server adds the time it received the report.

What other people can see

Each report is shown on the map with its location (to about 1 metre), its status, its time, and a random report number that changes with every report. The device identifier is not published. We don't collect your name.

A precise spot with a status and a time could reveal where you were, for example your home. Only report from places where you are comfortable with that.

How long data is kept

A report shows on the map for a limited time, normally 2 hours after it was made or last updated.
Each phone has only its latest report stored. A new report replaces the old one.
Reports are deleted from our database 7 days after they were last updated.
Our hosting provider keeps short-lived technical logs of requests to our servers for operating and securing the service. These are deleted automatically within days.

Notifications

If you choose "Remind me" after reporting a cut, the app schedules a reminder on your phone. We don't use push messaging, and no notification data is sent to us.

Service providers

Our servers, database and file storage run on Cloudflare, which processes data on our behalf to host the service. Map tiles are built from OpenStreetMap data and served from our own servers. We don't share data with anyone else, and we don't sell it.

Security

All data is sent over encrypted connections (HTTPS). Only the operator can access the database.

Your choices

You can use the map without ever reporting.
You can turn off location access in Android settings at any time. The map still works, but reporting needs your location.
Uninstalling the app removes everything it stored on your phone.
To have a report removed sooner, email us with its approximate place and time, and we will delete it.

Children

The app is not directed at children under 13.

Changes

If this policy changes, we will update this page and its effective date.

Contact

Questions or requests: rahdeer.dev@gmail.com