Privacy Policy

Galway Bus Tracker · Last updated: 5 October 2026

1. Who is responsible

Galway Bus Tracker (the “app”, which is also available as a web version at api.trackerbus.com) is operated by Rafael Oliveira Luviza, an individual based in Ireland (“we”, “us”). You can contact us at privacy@trackerbus.com.

2. What the app does

The app shows the positions of Galway city buses on the routes it supports, estimated arrival times at stops and scheduled timetables. The bus data comes from the National Transport Authority (NTA) of Ireland. Our server collects that data from the NTA, processes it and sends it to the app.

3. Information we handle and why

3.1 Your location (optional)

If you tap “My location” or allow location access when asked, the app uses your device’s location to show your position on the map and to highlight stops near you. This happens entirely on your device: your coordinates are not sent to our servers and are not stored by us. You can stop this at any time by turning off the location permission in your device settings.

3.2 Data saved on your device

The app saves your favourite routes, and a note that the first-use tip has been shown, in your device’s local storage. This stays on your device and we cannot see it. Clearing the app’s data or uninstalling the app removes it. We do not use cookies of our own.

3.3 Technical data when you use the app

When the app asks our server for bus data, the server (hosted by OVHcloud) necessarily receives your IP address and standard request details, such as the address requested and the type of app or browser. We use this only to deliver the response and to keep the service secure. We do not keep access logs of visits, we do not link requests to individuals, and we do not use this information for profiling or advertising.

If a technical error happens, the web server software may write a short entry to a system log, which can include your IP address and the app or browser type. These system logs are deleted automatically after 14 days. Our hosting provider may also process network data under its own policies to operate and protect its infrastructure.

3.4 What we do not collect

We do not ask for or collect your name, e-mail address, phone number, contacts, photos, camera or microphone data. At present the app does not use analytics or crash-reporting services.

4. Third-party services

Service	What it does	What it may receive
OpenFreeMap and OpenStreetMap	Provide the map style and map tiles (OpenStreetMap data)	Your IP address and the map area you view
unpkg.com	Delivers the open-source map software libraries the app uses	Your IP address and app or browser type
OVHcloud	Hosts our server in Europe, acting on our behalf	What our server receives (see 3.3)
National Transport Authority	Source of the bus data	Nothing about you: our server, not your device, retrieves the data
Google AdMob	Advertising (see section 5)	See section 5

These providers handle data under their own privacy policies. The same applies when you use the web version of the app.

5. Advertising

The app may show advertising provided by Google AdMob. AdMob may collect and use information from your device, such as your IP address, advertising identifier, approximate location and how you interact with ads, to show and measure ads and to prevent fraud. In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland we will ask for your consent, using a Google-certified consent form, before ads are personalised, and you can change your choice later. You can also reset your advertising ID or opt out of personalised ads in your device settings. Learn more in how Google uses information from apps that use its services. Versions of the app that do not include AdMob show no ads.

6. Legal bases (GDPR)

• Technical data (3.3): our legitimate interest in operating and securing the service (Article 6(1)(f)).
• Location (3.1): your consent, given by allowing location access on your device (Article 6(1)(a)). It is processed on your device only.
• Advertising (5): your consent, where the law requires it.

7. How long we keep data

We do not keep personal data in a database. System logs are deleted after 14 days. Data stored on your device stays there until you clear it.

8. Sharing and transfers

We do not sell your data and we do not share it for advertising ourselves. Our server runs on OVHcloud infrastructure in Europe. Map and library providers (section 4) and Google, if ads are shown, may be located outside the EEA and handle data under their own policies and safeguards.

9. Your rights

Under the GDPR you may have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to the processing of your personal data, the right to data portability and the right to withdraw consent at any time. Because we do not keep data that identifies you, we may not be able to find data about you, but you are welcome to contact us and we will help where we can. You also have the right to complain to Ireland’s Data Protection Commission.

10. Children

The app is a general public transport tool and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

11. Security

All communication between the app and our server uses HTTPS (encrypted). Access to the server is restricted.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it was last changed. If a change is important, we will also say so in the app or on this website.

13. Contact

Questions or requests: privacy@trackerbus.com.

14. Data source and disclaimer

Contains data provided by the National Transport Authority, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. This app is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTA, Bus Éireann or any bus operator. Real-time positions and arrival estimates are indicative and may differ from the actual service.