Privacy & Terms

Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 7, 2026

Who We Are

Map Explorer is operated by Alex Nikiporenko in the United Kingdom. Alex Nikiporenko is the data controller responsible for the personal data processed through the service.

What We Collect

When you use Map Explorer, we collect:

• Account Information: Email address and username (chosen by you)
• Game Data: Routes played, completion times, efficiency scores, and path data
• Challenge Data: Challenges you create or participate in
• Usage Data: Basic analytics about how you use the site (for example page views and games played)

How We Use Your Data

We use your information to:

• Provide the game service, including authentication, saving games, leaderboards, and challenges
• Display your username on leaderboards and challenges
• Show you your game history and statistics
• Improve the game based on usage patterns
• Keep the service secure and prevent abuse or cheating
• Comply with legal obligations where required

Our Lawful Bases

We process your personal data on the following lawful bases, as applicable:

• Contract: to provide the Map Explorer service to you
• Legitimate interests: to improve, secure, and administer the service, including preventing abuse and analysing how the service is used
• Legal obligation: where we need to process data to comply with applicable law
• Consent: where we specifically ask for it, for example if we introduce optional tracking technologies that require consent

What We Don't Do

• We never sell your personal data
• We never share your email address publicly
• We never spam you with marketing emails
• We never track you across other websites

Third-Party Services

Map Explorer uses these third-party services:

• Supabase - Database and authentication
• MapTiler - Map rendering and map services
• Vercel - Website hosting and delivery

These providers process data on our behalf or provide infrastructure necessary to operate the service. Your use of Map Explorer may also be subject to the terms and policies of those providers where relevant.

International Users and Data Transfers

Your data may be processed outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area by our third-party service providers, including in the United States and Switzerland.

Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for international transfers, such as standard contractual clauses, or another lawful transfer mechanism recognised under applicable data protection law.

These transfers are necessary to operate and provide the Map Explorer service to you.

Your Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate personal data
• Delete your personal data
• Restrict or object to certain processing in some circumstances
• Export or receive a copy of your data where this right applies
• Withdraw consent where we rely on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us at contact@mapexplorer.app.

If you are in the UK, you also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your data protection rights have been infringed.

Data Retention

• Active accounts: Data retained while your account remains active and for as long as necessary to provide the service
• Deleted accounts: Personal data will ordinarily be deleted within 30 days of a deletion request, unless we need to retain certain information for legal, security, or fraud-prevention reasons
• Inactive accounts: Accounts inactive for 2+ years may be deleted after notice where reasonably practicable

Cookies and Analytics

We use minimal, privacy-friendly analytics to understand how people use Map Explorer. These analytics do not use tracking cookies and do not track you across other websites.

If we ever introduce tracking cookies or similar technologies that require consent, we will update this policy and request consent where required.

Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• Passwords are securely hashed
• Data transmitted over HTTPS
• Regular security updates
• Limited access to data

However, no system is completely secure. If you discover a security issue, please email: contact@mapexplorer.app

Children's Privacy

Map Explorer is not directed at children under 13. You must be at least 13 years old to use the service. If you are under 18, you must have permission from a parent or guardian.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe we have collected such data, please contact us.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will post the updated policy here and may also notify you by email or through a notice on the site where appropriate.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Email: contact@mapexplorer.app

Terms of Service

Last updated: March 7, 2026

Agreement to Terms

By using Map Explorer, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use the service.

Description of Service

Map Explorer is a browser-based geography game. We provide the platform for you to play navigation challenges, compete on leaderboards, and challenge friends.

Account Requirements

To use Map Explorer, you must:

• Be at least 13 years old
• If you are under 18, have permission from a parent or guardian
• Provide accurate information when creating an account
• Choose an appropriate username
• Keep your password secure
• Use the service in compliance with these terms

Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the service for any illegal purpose
• Attempt to hack, exploit, disrupt, or break the service
• Create multiple accounts to cheat on leaderboards
• Use automated bots or scripts to play games
• Harass, abuse, or impersonate other users
• Upload malicious code or spam
• Attempt to access other users' accounts

User-Generated Content

When you create challenges or choose usernames:

• You retain ownership of your content
• You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, display, and use that content only as necessary to operate, provide, and improve the service
• You are responsible for your content
• We may remove or moderate content that violates these terms or is otherwise unlawful or abusive

Leaderboards and Challenges

• Leaderboard rankings are based on game performance
• We may review, remove, or reset suspicious or cheated scores
• Challenges may be accessible to other users or to anyone with the relevant link, depending on how the feature is presented in the service
• Leaving or deleting a challenge may not remove all associated data immediately from backups or logs

Intellectual Property

• Map Explorer's code, design, branding, and original content are owned by Alex Nikiporenko unless otherwise stated
• Map data and related materials may be provided by third parties, including MapTiler and OpenStreetMap, and remain subject to their respective licences and terms
• These terms do not grant you any right to copy, sell, or exploit any part of the service except as permitted by law or with our written permission

Service Availability

We provide Map Explorer on an "as is" and "as available" basis and do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted uptime or availability
• Specific performance or speed
• Complete accuracy of maps or data
• Freedom from bugs or errors

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the service at any time. We are not responsible for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control.

Account Termination

We reserve the right to:

• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms
• Remove content that violates these terms
• Ban users who abuse the service

You may delete your account at any time via your profile or by contacting us.

Disclaimer of Warranties

To the extent permitted by law, Map Explorer is provided without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. In particular, we do not guarantee that:

• The service will be error-free
• Results will be accurate or complete
• The service will meet your specific needs

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Alex Nikiporenko and Map Explorer will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of data, profits, revenue, business, or goodwill arising out of or in connection with your use of the service.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

Nothing in these terms affects any mandatory rights you may have as a consumer under applicable law.

Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Map Explorer and Alex Nikiporenko from claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses arising out of:

• Your unlawful use of the service
• Your breach of these terms
• Your violation of the rights of another person

Governing Law

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute, please contact us first at contact@mapexplorer.app. We will try to resolve it informally and in good faith.

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the courts of England and Wales shall have jurisdiction, except that this does not prevent consumers from relying on any mandatory rights or bringing claims in any court that applicable law permits.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date. By continuing to use Map Explorer after the updated terms take effect, you agree to the revised terms.

Severability

If any part of these terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the rest will remain in effect.

Entire Agreement

These terms, together with our Privacy Policy, form the entire agreement between you and Map Explorer regarding your use of the service.

Contact

Questions about these terms? Email: contact@mapexplorer.app