D.A.R.S. App — Privacy Policy

Last updated: 24 May 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how the D.A.R.S. (Drone Awareness Relay System) Android application ("the App", "we") handles information. It applies only to the Android app. The App is a passive drone Remote ID receiver: it listens for identification signals that nearby drones broadcast publicly over WiFi and Bluetooth, and shows them to you.

Summary

• We do not require an account, and we do not collect, sell, or share your personal data with us or with advertisers.
• The App contains no analytics, advertising, or tracking SDKs.
• Your device location is used on your device only — it is not sent to any server we operate.
• Drone Remote ID data is processed on your device and shown to you; it leaves your device only in the specific cases described below.

Information the App accesses

• Device location (precise and approximate). Used (a) because Android requires location permission to scan for Bluetooth and WiFi devices, and (b) to calculate the distance between you and detected drones and to centre the map on your position. Location is processed on the device and is not transmitted to us.
• Bluetooth and nearby-WiFi access. Used to scan for drone Remote ID broadcasts. The App does not connect to your personal devices for data collection; Bluetooth is also used to connect to an optional D.A.R.S. hardware scanner if you have one.
• Received Remote ID data. Drone identifiers, positions, operator IDs and similar fields that nearby drones broadcast publicly. This is data about drones in your vicinity, not about you. It is displayed in the App and, if you enable logging (a PRO feature), stored locally on your device.
• USB access (optional). Used only to receive drone data from a D.A.R.S. hardware scanner connected by cable.

When data leaves your device

By default the App keeps data on your device. Data is sent off the device only in these cases:

• Drone make/model lookup. When online, the App may send a detected drone's serial number to the U.S. FAA UAS public database (uasdoc.faa.gov) to display the drone's make and model. No personal information about you is sent. We are not affiliated with the FAA.
• Map display. Maps are rendered using third-party map-tile providers and Google Play services. To load map tiles, your device contacts these providers, which receive your IP address and the map area being viewed, as governed by their own privacy policies.
• Webhook / MQTT forwarding (PRO, optional, off by default). If you enable these features and configure a destination, the App sends drone detection data to the endpoint or broker you specify. You control that destination; we neither operate nor receive that data.
• PRO purchase. The one-time PRO upgrade is processed by Google Play Billing. Google handles the payment; we do not receive your payment details. The App only learns whether the PRO entitlement is owned.

Data stored on your device

The following are stored locally and never uploaded by us: detection/CSV logs (PRO), the "friendly drones" list, and your app settings. You can export logs (e.g. as KML) using Android's share sheet to a destination you choose. Clearing the app's data or uninstalling the App removes this information.

Permissions

• Location (fine/approximate) — Bluetooth/WiFi scanning (Android requirement) and distance/map.
• Bluetooth (scan/connect), Nearby WiFi devices — detect drone Remote ID broadcasts; connect to optional D.A.R.S. hardware.
• Internet / network state — map tiles, FAA model lookup, and your optional webhook/MQTT.
• Notifications & foreground service — show the ongoing scan status and new-drone alerts while scanning in the background.
• USB — optional wired connection to a D.A.R.S. hardware scanner.

Children

The App is a general-purpose utility and is not directed at children under 13.

Security

Because the App stores data locally and does not transmit your personal data to a server we operate, the primary safeguard is your device's own security. Optional webhook connections require HTTPS.

Changes

We may update this policy as the App evolves. Material changes will be reflected on this page with a new "Last updated" date.

Contact

Questions about this policy or the App's data handling: just@getdars.com