App & Media Privacy Policy
Effective date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Michigan Storm Chasers L.L.C. (“Michigan Storm Chasers”,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) provides weather forecasts, alerts, text message alerts, radar, maps, articles, videos, mobile apps, websites, and related services (collectively, the “Services”).
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, when we share it, and the choices available to you.
By using our Services, you acknowledge that your information may be collected, used, and disclosed as described in this Privacy Policy.
Scope of this Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through:
our websites
our mobile applications
email newsletters and alerts
text message alert subscriptions
customer support communications
contests, promotions, and surveys
storm reports, weather reports, photo submissions, and video submissions
account registration and login tools
other online services that link to this Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites, apps, or services that we do not own or control.
Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways.
- Information you provide to us
Depending on how you use the Services, you may provide us with:
your name
email address
mobile phone number
account login information
saved locations, city, or postal code
weather alert preferences
text message alert subscription preferences
communications you send to us
storm reports, photos, videos, comments, or other reports you submit
survey responses
subscription or purchase details
billing-related records, such as transaction status, renewal status, or subscription status
If you subscribe to our SMS alert services, we collect the mobile phone number you provide in order to deliver those alerts and manage your subscription.
- Login and authentication services
Some parts of our Services may allow login or account access using third-party tools. For example, we may use Meta Account Kit SDK or similar login technologies to help authenticate users for certain services, including SMS alert access or account-related features.
When you use those tools, we may receive information needed to authenticate or manage your access, such as your phone number, login status, or related account identifiers, depending on the service and your choices.
- Payments and subscriptions
Payments and subscriptions may be processed through third-party providers, including Stripe, PayPal, the Google Play Store, and the Apple App Store.
Michigan Storm Chasers does not store any payment card numbers or details on its own systems.
- Information collected automatically
When you use the Services, we may automatically collect information such as:
IP address
browser type and version
device type
operating system
app version
anonymous device identifiers
language settings
pages, screens, and features viewed
actions taken within the Services
session duration and navigation activity
crash logs, diagnostics, and performance data
referral information
approximate location based on IP address, where applicable
- Location information
Because weather services depend on location, we may collect location information in several ways, including:
precise location from your device, if you grant permission through your device, browser, app, or webapp settings
approximate location based on IP address
manually entered locations
saved locations you choose to follow
You can disable precise location access at any time through your device or browser settings. If you do, some features may be less accurate or may require manual location entry.
- Weather reports and submitted report data
If you submit a severe weather report, hail report, tornado report, wind report, flooding report, damage report, photo, video, or other weather-related submission through our Services, we may collect information associated with that submission, including:
the report details
the time of submission
approximate or precise location
IP address
anonymous device identifiers
your contact information, if provided
We use IP addresses and anonymous device identifiers primarily to help detect spam, abuse, and fraudulent reporting. We do not share IP addresses with third parties.
For most severe weather reports, we reduce location precision to approximately 1 kilometre before broader use or sharing. For damage reports, we may retain or share location information at a finer resolution, generally limited to about 100 metres, where needed to support verification, research, or follow-up.
We may share submitted weather reports and related report details with the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL), including for use in programs such as the Northern Tornadoes Project and Northern Hail Project, for research, verification, documentation, and related scientific or public information purposes.
We may also display or republish submitted weather reports, photos, videos, or related information through our Services, including our website, apps, and social media channels.
In some cases, we may also contact you directly to confirm or clarify submitted report information.
- Cookies and similar technologies
We may use cookies, pixels, SDKs, local storage, and similar technologies to:
operate and maintain the Services
remember your settings and preferences
understand how the Services are used
improve performance and user experience
measure the effectiveness of content, features, or advertising
support analytics and diagnostics
manage login and authentication features
You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings or device settings.
- Information from third parties
We may receive information from third parties that support the Services, such as:
analytics providers
advertising or measurement partners
payment processors
app stores
login and authentication providers
fraud prevention and security providers
social media platforms, if you interact with us there
communication service providers that help us deliver alerts or notifications
How We Use Information
We may use personal information to:
provide weather forecasts, alerts, radar, maps, and related content
personalize the Services based on your location and preferences
create and manage user accounts
authenticate users and manage login access
process subscriptions and maintain billing records
send service messages, account notices, and requested weather alerts
send text message alerts to users who subscribe to that service
respond to support requests and feedback
receive, review, verify, and manage submitted weather reports and media
monitor and improve the performance, reliability, and security of the Services
detect fraud, misuse, bugs, spam, and technical issues
enforce our terms, policies, and legal rights
comply with legal or regulatory requirements
send marketing communications where permitted and in accordance with your preferences
support analytics, business operations, and advertising where applicable
Consent and Your Choices
Where required by applicable law, we seek consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information.
Depending on the circumstance, consent may be express or implied. For example:
precise device location typically requires your permission through your device, browser, app, or webapp settings
text message alerts require you to provide your mobile number and subscribe to that service
certain login tools may require you to provide information needed for authentication
marketing communications may require your consent, and you can unsubscribe at any time
optional cookies or similar tools may be managed through available settings
You may withdraw consent in some cases, subject to legal or operational limits. Withdrawing consent may affect the availability or functionality of certain features.
Advertising
Michigan Storm Chasers may display advertising on certain parts of its Services. On our website, we may use advertising partners such as Mediavine. In our mobile apps, we may use Google advertising services.
These advertising providers may use cookies, mobile identifiers, pixels, SDKs, or similar technologies to measure ad performance, limit repetitive ads, detect fraud, and support advertising delivery and reporting. Information collected through these technologies is governed by the privacy practices of the relevant provider.
Analytics and Diagnostics
We may use analytics and diagnostics tools to understand how the Services are used, improve performance, troubleshoot problems, and measure engagement. These tools may include Google Firebase for our mobile apps and analytics tools made available through our website platform, including Squarespace.
No Sale of Personally Identifiable Information
Michigan Storm Chasers does not sell personally identifiable information to third-party data brokers, data collectors, or similar third parties.
We may share limited information with service providers and partners as described in this Privacy Policy where needed to operate the Services, process subscriptions, deliver communications, support advertising or analytics, prevent fraud, or support weather research and verification programs.
When We Share Information
We may share personal information in the following circumstances:
- Service providers
We may share information with vendors and service providers that help us operate the Services, such as providers of:
hosting and cloud infrastructure
analytics
customer support tools
email delivery and notifications
text message delivery services
login and authentication services
payment processing
advertising and measurement services
fraud prevention and security services
These providers are expected to handle information only for authorized purposes.
- Research and verification partners
We may share submitted weather reports and related report information with the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL), including for use in programs such as the Northern Tornadoes Project and Northern Hail Project, for research, verification, documentation, and related program purposes.
- Public display of submitted content
If you submit weather reports, photos, videos, or similar materials to us, we may display, publish, repost, or otherwise share that content and related report details through our Services, including on our website, apps, and social media channels, in connection with weather coverage, verification, public awareness, or community reporting.
- Legal and safety reasons
We may disclose information where reasonably necessary to:
comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or lawful request
protect our rights, property, or safety
protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or others
investigate fraud, abuse, security issues, or violations of our policies
- With your direction or participation
We may share information where you direct us to do so, or where sharing is a clear part of the feature or service you choose to use.
User Submissions
If you submit storm reports, weather observations, photos, videos, comments, or similar content to us, we may collect that content along with related details such as the time submitted, the approximate or precise location associated with the submission, and contact information.
Please only submit content that you own or have the right to share.
By submitting content to us, you acknowledge that it may be reviewed, verified, shared with research partners, and displayed or reposted through our Services and social media channels in connection with our weather coverage and related activities.
Additional terms may apply to specific contests, campaigns, licensing arrangements, or submission programs.
Retention
We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to:
provide and maintain the Services
manage accounts and subscriptions
review and verify reports and submissions
comply with legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements
resolve disputes
enforce agreements
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected.
Safeguards
We use every reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguard designed to protect personal information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification.
However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International Processing
Some service providers or partners may process or store information outside your province or outside Canada. When that occurs, information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed or stored.
Access and Corrections, and Deletion Requests
Subject to applicable law, you may request access to personal information we hold about you, ask that inaccurate information be corrected, or request deletion of personal information we no longer need for legal, operational, or legitimate business purposes.
We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.
If you would like to request deletion of personal information, email us at contact@michiganstormchasers.com or use our Contact Form. Subject to applicable law, we will review your request and delete personal information we are able to delete, then follow up with you.
Marketing Communications and Alert Messages
If you sign up for newsletters, updates, promotional emails, text message alerts, or similar communications, you may unsubscribe or opt out at any time using the unsubscribe method provided in the message or by contacting us.
For text message alerts, you may also be able to opt out by replying with the stop instruction provided in the message, where available.
We may still send service-related or transactional communications where necessary.
Children
Our Services are intended for a general audience and are not primarily directed to young children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children where prohibited by applicable law. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us improperly, please contact us.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the updated version and revise the effective date.
Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated Privacy Policy, to the extent permitted by law.
Contact Us
If you have questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:
Privacy Contact
Michigan Storm Chasers L.L.C.
63030 Constantine Rd.
Constantine, MI 49042