Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 28, 2026

AstroOwl ("AstroOwl," "we," "us") is an independently developed astrophotography app. This notice explains what we collect, why, and the choices you have. We keep data collection to a minimum, we don't offer accounts, and we never sell your personal information.

The short version

On the website, we collect your email address (only if you join the waitlist) and anonymous usage analytics.
There are no accounts or logins.
The app (when released) runs mostly on your device; it uses your location to calculate the sky and to look up local weather.
We never sell your data.

Information we collect

Website — waitlist email

If you join the waitlist, we collect your email address so we can email you about the launch and occasional product updates. This is handled by a third-party email delivery provider. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email.

Website — analytics & cookies

Our website uses a third-party analytics service to understand how visitors use the site — for example, which pages are viewed and what device and browser types are common. It sets a cookie and collects information such as your approximate location (estimated from your IP address), device and browser details, and the pages you visit. We use this only in aggregate to improve the site, never to personally identify you. When you first visit, we ask for your consent before any analytics cookie is set (analytics stays off until you accept), and you can change your choice anytime via "Cookie settings" in the footer. You can also opt out at any time by blocking cookies in your browser.

The AstroOwl app (at launch)

When the app is available, it will handle the following. Most of this stays on your device and is never sent to us:

Location. With your permission, the app uses your device's location to calculate the position of the sun, moon, Milky Way, and other targets, and to rank the best nights to shoot. This is processed on your device.
Weather. To show cloud cover and conditions, the app sends your location's coordinates to a third-party weather service. It is used only to retrieve a forecast for that location.
Your plans, recipes, and gear. Anything you create — plans, exposure recipes, camera and lens settings — is stored locally on your device. Because we have no accounts and no cloud, we don't receive or store it.
Camera control. The app connects to your Sony camera over your local Wi‑Fi to control it and run shooting sequences. Your photos stay on the camera — we don't receive, upload, or store your images.
Analytics & crash reports. The app will use analytics and crash‑reporting services to understand how features are used and to diagnose problems. These collect usage and diagnostic data, not the contents of your photos.

How we use your information

To send you the launch announcement and occasional product updates (only if you joined the waitlist).
To operate core app features — sky calculations, weather, and camera control.
To understand usage and fix bugs (analytics and crash reports).

We rely on your consent for the waitlist email, and on our legitimate interest in keeping the product working and improving it for analytics and diagnostics.

Who we share it with

We don't sell your personal information. We share data only with the service providers that help us run AstroOwl:

An email delivery provider — to send waitlist and product-update emails.
An analytics provider — anonymous website usage statistics.
A weather data provider — forecast lookups (receives your coordinates, not your identity).
A web hosting provider — to host and serve this website.
Analytics and crash‑reporting providers for the app, as described above.

Data retention

We keep your waitlist email until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it. On‑device app data stays until you delete it or uninstall the app.

Your rights

Depending on where you live — including under the GDPR (EU/UK) and the CCPA (California) — you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or export your personal information, to object to or restrict processing, and to opt out. Because the only personal data we hold is your waitlist email, you can exercise most of these immediately by unsubscribing or by emailing hello@astroowl.app. We do not sell personal information and do not use it for automated decision‑making.

Children

AstroOwl is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EU), and we don't knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us information, email us and we'll delete it.

International transfers

Our service providers may process data in the United States and other countries. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for those transfers.

Security

We use reasonable measures to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this notice

We may update this notice as the app evolves — for example, when it launches. We'll post the new version here and update the "Last updated" date above.

Contact

Questions or requests? Email hello@astroowl.app.