Privacy Policy

What we collect automatically

When you open the site, your browser is given a random visitor ID and a session ID, kept in your browser. With each page you view we record the page, how long it stayed open, the searches you make on the site and the trains you track, together with your IP address, your browser and device type, your language and a short code made from your browser details (used to recognise a returning device).

We use this to count visitors, see which trains and stations people look for, keep the site working and stop abuse.

Your location, only if you allow it

If you allow location in your browser, we use it to show trains and stations near you and store your approximate position with your visitor record. You can turn location off in your browser settings at any time; the site works without it.

Sharing a train’s position and station reports

When you tap “I’m on this train”, your phone’s GPS position, its accuracy, speed and direction are sent while sharing is on, to place the train for everyone. When you report that a train arrived at or left a station, we store the report with its time and station.

Other visitors see only the train’s position and how many passengers are sharing, never your exact location or who you are. These reports are kept with the train’s history, which we use to estimate delays.

The Android app

The WhereIsTheTrain Android app works like the site and needs no account. It creates a random visitor ID on your phone and, with each screen you open, sends us the screen, the searches you make and the trains you track, together with your phone’s model, Android version and screen size and a short code made from them (to recognise a returning device). We use this as we use the site’s statistics.

Location is used only if you allow it in Android, and only while the app is open — never in the background. It shows the trains and stations near you, and your position is sent to our server with your visitor record to improve train positions and to see where the app is used. If you tell the app you are on a train, or report that a train arrived at or left a station, that is sent too, as described below. You can turn location off at any time in Android settings; the app works without it.

The app does not use Google Analytics or any advertising or tracking SDK. Your saved trains and stations, language and settings stay on your phone; uninstalling the app or clearing its data removes them and gives you a new visitor ID. All data is sent over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used. It sets cookies and collects data such as the pages you view, your device, and your approximate location worked out from your IP address. Google processes this data under its own privacy policy. You can opt out with Google’s opt-out browser add-on or by blocking cookies for this site.

• Google Privacy Policy
• How Google uses data from sites that use its services
• Google Analytics opt-out add-on

Stored in your browser

Your saved trains, your language, your location choice and the prompts you have closed are kept in your browser’s storage, on your device only. Clearing this site’s data in your browser removes them (and gives you a new visitor ID).

What we do not do

We do not sell your data, show advertising, or ask for your name, phone number or email address. We share data only with the services that run the site (our hosting provider and Google Analytics), or when the law requires it.

How long we keep it, and your choices

Visitor statistics and train reports are kept for as long as they are useful for running the site and its statistics.

You can ask us what we hold about you, to correct it, or to delete it: email support@whereisthetrain.com with the approximate time of your visit and the trains you looked at (or your visitor ID, if you have it), and we will reply within 30 days.

Children

The site is for the general public and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect information about children.

Changes and contact

We update this page when what we collect changes; the date at the top shows the current version.

Questions or requests: support@whereisthetrain.com.