Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 1, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how the sharkTAG Live app ("sharkTAG Live", "the app") handles information. sharkTAG Live is developed by the Block Lab at Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University ("we", "us"). The app provides near real-time tracking of tagged white sharks for iPhone and iPad.

Illustration of a white shark behind a shield with a padlock

Summary

sharkTAG Live does not collect personal information. You don't need an account to use the app, and we don't track you, show ads, or sell any data about you. The app uses Mapbox to display maps, as described below.

Information We Collect

We do not collect, store, or share personal information or user-created content. The app does not ask for your name, email address, phone number, or any other details about you.

Location Data

The locations shown in sharkTAG Live are the positions of tagged sharks and monitoring buoys. The app does not request access to your device's location and does not collect or use information about where you are.

Device Permissions

sharkTAG Live does not request access to your location, contacts, photos, camera, microphone, or other personal data on your device.

Data the App Downloads

To display shark and buoy information, the app downloads tracking data from Block Lab servers and map tiles from Mapbox. As with any connection to a web server, your device's IP address and basic technical information may be processed to deliver that data. We do not use this information to identify you, build a profile of you, or link it to your use of the app.

Tracking, Advertising and Analytics

sharkTAG Live does not contain advertising and does not use advertising identifiers. We do not use analytics services, and we do not track your activity across other apps or websites.

Third-Party Services

sharkTAG Live uses Mapbox to display maps. When the map loads, Mapbox may receive technical information such as your IP address, device type, operating system version, and anonymous map usage data. Mapbox does not receive your location from sharkTAG Live, because the app does not access your device's location. Mapbox processes this information under its own privacy policy: https://www.mapbox.com/legal/privacy

Children's Privacy

sharkTAG Live is suitable for all ages. Because the app does not collect personal information, it does not knowingly collect information from children under 13 or any other age group.

Data Retention and Security

Since we do not collect personal information, we do not store or retain any personal data about app users.

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under privacy laws such as the GDPR or the CCPA, including the right to access or delete personal data held about you. Because sharkTAG Live does not collect personal data, there is no such data for us to provide or delete. If you have questions about your rights, contact us using the details below.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy if sharkTAG Live's privacy practices change. Any updates will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date.

Questions about sharkTAG live?

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact the Block Lab at Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University.

Illustration of a shark and a baby shark over a reef

Contact sharkTAG live

Email
bblock@stanford.edu
Operator
Block Lab, Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University
Support
sharkTAG Live Support
Send an email