Container Tracker Privacy Policy

This policy describes how m23n (“we,” “us”) handles information when you use Container Tracker, our iOS app for following shipping containers, bills of lading, and booking references across ocean carriers. Container Tracker is under active development; features, data practices, and this policy may be updated over time. By using Container Tracker, you acknowledge the then-current version of this policy.

No account required: Container Tracker does not ask for your name, email address, or password. The app creates a random device identifier and uses it to keep your tracked shipments and notification preferences together on our servers.

1. Who we are

For privacy requests and questions, contact us at support@m23n.com.

2. Categories of information

The list below describes categories of information that may be involved depending on which features you use. Not all categories apply to every user.

2.1 Device identifier & session tokens

On first launch, Container Tracker generates a random identifier (a UUID) and stores it in the iOS Keychain. This identifier is sent to our backend to create an anonymous user record and obtain session tokens. It is not derived from your Apple ID, advertising identifier, or hardware serial number. Because it lives in the Keychain, it may survive reinstalling the app so your trackings can be restored.

2.2 Tracking references

When you add a shipment, the container number, bill of lading number, or booking reference you enter (together with any optional alias you give it) is sent to our backend and stored so we can fetch status updates on your behalf. We also derive and store the carrier associated with the reference. Several users may track the same reference; in that case we keep a single shared shipment record and link each user to it separately.

2.3 Shipment status & vessel data

To provide tracking, our backend periodically queries third-party shipping data sources, including carrier application programming interfaces (for example Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and others), aggregator services such as FindTEU, and vessel-position (AIS) feeds such as AISStream. The reference numbers you track are transmitted to those sources as required to retrieve status. The resulting events, estimated times of arrival, port information, and vessel positions are stored on our servers and shown in the app.

In some configurations the app may query a carrier’s public tracking endpoint directly from your device and relay the raw response to our backend for processing. In that case your device’s IP address is visible to that carrier as with any ordinary web request.

2.4 Live vessel map

The “live vessel” view embeds a map provided by VesselFinder in a web view. Loading it retrieves content from VesselFinder’s servers, which may receive your IP address and the vessel identifier being displayed, subject to VesselFinder’s own privacy policy. Route and port maps inside the app use Apple Maps; Container Tracker does not request access to your device location.

2.5 Push notifications

If you allow notifications, the app registers with Apple Push Notification service (APNs) and sends the resulting device token to our backend. We use it to notify you about shipment events, ETA changes, and delivery completion for the shipments you track. Revoking notification permission in iOS Settings stops new notifications; we keep at most one token per user and replace it when it changes.

2.6 Purchases & subscriptions

Optional paid features are billed through the Apple App Store. Entitlement and transaction data are processed by Apple and RevenueCat according to their policies and only as needed to validate access to paid features and support “Restore Purchases.” We do not receive your payment card details.

2.7 Support communications

If you contact us by email or WhatsApp from the app’s settings, we receive the content of your message and the contact details you use (for example your email address or phone number). We use this information only to respond to you.

2.8 Diagnostics & logs

Our backend keeps operational logs and error records to keep the service reliable and to debug failed carrier lookups. Device identifiers and tokens are redacted from these logs. We may also use aggregate, non-identifying usage statistics to improve the product.

3. How we use information

• Fetch and display shipment status, events, ETAs, and vessel positions for the references you add
• Send push notifications about changes to shipments you track
• Keep your trackings associated with your device across sessions and reinstalls
• Validate subscriptions and prevent abuse
• Improve the product, secure our systems, and fix bugs
• Comply with law and respond to lawful requests

4. Sharing

We share tracking references with the shipping data sources named above solely to retrieve status information. We share device tokens with Apple to deliver notifications and purchase data with Apple and RevenueCat to manage entitlements. We use hosting providers to run our backend. We do not sell your information and do not share it with advertisers.

5. Retention & deletion

Tracking references remain on our servers while you track them. Removing a tracking in the app deletes your subscription to it; a shared shipment record may persist while other users still track it or for a limited period afterwards, after which polling stops. Shipment history is retained for a reasonable period for display and troubleshooting. Deleting the app removes local data, but the device identifier may remain in the Keychain. To have your device record and associated trackings deleted from our servers, contact support@m23n.com.

6. Security

Traffic between the app and our backend uses HTTPS. Session tokens and the device identifier are stored in the iOS Keychain. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Children

Container Tracker is not directed to children. Do not use Container Tracker in a way that violates applicable child-privacy laws.

8. Changes

We may update this policy as Container Tracker evolves. We will post the current version on this page and may provide additional notice for material changes (for example in the app).

9. Related policies

Our website and WristChat (Slack) are covered by a separate policy: Privacy Policy (WristChat & m23n.com).