ContrailResearch.org

Privacy Policy

ContrailResearch.org publishes Contrail Research and SkyPulse. The website and SkyPulse mobile app present aviation, weather, contrail research, and public sky-verification data and use information as described below.

SkyPulse Mobile Location

When you ask SkyPulse to locate you or load the nearby sky, the mobile app sends latitude and longitude over an encrypted connection to request the relevant flight, weather, model, and verification data. Location is used to provide those app features, not for advertising or cross-app tracking. As with other internet services, operational and security logs may record request metadata such as IP address and request time. You can deny location permission, although location-based views will then be limited.

SkyPulse Verifications

Public sky checks store the selected visible condition, submission time, and a coarse location. Before a mobile verification is submitted, SkyPulse rounds latitude and longitude to two decimal places. A random request identifier prevents duplicate submissions; no SkyPulse account or name is attached. If the device is offline, an unsent check can remain in the app's local outbox until it can be synchronized.

Optional Photos, Local Storage, And Notifications

In the current mobile app, an optional sky photo remains in the app's local cache, its metadata is removed, and it is not uploaded to ContrailResearch.org. The app also caches recent sky data and pending verifications on the device. Clearing app storage or uninstalling the app removes that local data. Regional notifications are scheduled on the device only after you request them, and camera and notification permissions are optional.

Research Data

Aviation tracks, weather snapshots, radar/satellite overlays, and contrail model outputs are used for research visualization and validation. Retention limits are applied so operational data does not grow without bound.

Analytics And Monetization

Google Analytics and Google AdSense may load on the website. Google and its partners may use cookies, device identifiers, IP address, browser data, page context, and ad interaction data to measure and deliver ads. Ads may be contextual or personalized depending on the user's settings, region, and consent requirements. Users can manage Google ad personalization from Google's ad settings.

The current SkyPulse mobile app does not include an advertising or analytics SDK. Third-party website ads are loaded only from the configured monetization network. Default configuration does not render sponsorship placeholders. We do not sell public verification records or user-submitted notes to sponsors.

Cookies

The application may use essential cookies for security and session behavior. Analytics and advertising cookies only come from configured third-party services when those services are enabled. Browser controls can block or clear cookies, but doing so may change ad delivery, analytics measurement, or login behavior.

Contact

SkyPulse does not require a user account, so anonymous records may not be identifiable as belonging to one person. For privacy questions or a request concerning a submission, contact info@contrailresearch.org and include the approximate time and region of the submission.