WhimTrav Data Deletion Instructions
Last Updated: November 22, 2024
Your Right to Delete Your Data
At WhimTrav, we respect your privacy and your right to control your personal information. You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time. This page explains what data is deleted, how to request deletion, and what happens after deletion.
What Data Will Be Deleted?
When you request account deletion, the following data will be permanently removed from our systems:
Account Information
- User Account: Your Firebase Authentication account (email, name, profile picture, UID)
- Login Credentials: Email/password or Google Sign-In linkage
Profile and Preferences
- RV Specifications: RV type, year, make, model, length, height, weight, fuel type
- Travel Preferences: Camping style, location preferences, budget range, internet needs, dump frequency
- Trip Planning Preferences: Typical trip duration, average miles per day, maximum driving hours, scenic route priority
- Personal Information: Age, traveling with kids/pets, accessibility needs, activity interests, dining preferences
Usage Data
- Community Validations: All location validations (shield icon clicks) you've made
- Forum Posts: All threads, replies, and comments you've created on the Community Forum
- Forum Voting: All upvotes and downvotes you've made on forum threads
Cached Data (if applicable)
- Search History: Any search queries stored in our database
- Saved Locations: Any favorited or bookmarked campgrounds (future feature)
What is NOT Deleted
The following data is not deleted because it is not personally identifiable or is necessary for system operation:
- Campground Database: The 50,000+ campground database is not user-specific and remains intact
- Enrichment Cache: Cached campground enrichment data (from Google Places API) is not user-specific and remains for performance
- Aggregated Usage Analytics: Anonymized, aggregated usage statistics (if collected) for app improvement
- Third-Party Data: Data processed by Google (Maps, Gemini AI, Places) is subject to Google's retention policies
How to Request Data Deletion
You have three options to delete your WhimTrav account and data:
Option 1: Delete Account via Mobile App (Recommended)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Open the WhimTrav app on your mobile device
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the map screen
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
- Scroll down to the "Account" section
- Tap "Delete Account"
- Read the warning message explaining what will be deleted
- Confirm deletion by tapping "Delete My Account"
- Enter your password (if using email/password authentication) to confirm
- Your account and data will be deleted immediately
Immediate Deletion
When you delete your account via the mobile app, your data is deleted immediately and permanently. You will be logged out and returned to the login screen. You cannot undo this action.
Option 2: Delete Account via Website (Future Feature)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Visit https://whimtrav-app.web.app
- Sign in with your WhimTrav account (Google or email/password)
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
- Select "Account Settings"
- Scroll to the "Delete Account" section
- Click "Delete My Account"
- Confirm deletion in the popup dialog
- Your account and data will be deleted immediately
Note: Website-based account deletion is currently in development. Until this feature is available, please use the mobile app (Option 1) or email us directly (Option 3).
Option 3: Email Data Deletion Request
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Send an email to privacy@whimtrav.com
- Use the subject line: "Data Deletion Request"
- In the email body, include:
- Your WhimTrav account email address
- Your name (if you signed in with Google)
- Confirmation that you want to permanently delete your account and all associated data
- We will verify your identity by sending a confirmation email to your registered email address
- Reply to the confirmation email to complete the deletion request
- Your account and data will be deleted within 30 days of verification
Email Template (Optional):
Subject: Data Deletion Request
To: privacy@whimtrav.com
Body:
Hello,
I am requesting deletion of my WhimTrav account and all associated personal data.
Account Email: [your-email@example.com]
Name: [Your Name] (if applicable)
I understand that this action is permanent and cannot be undone.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
What Happens After Deletion?
Immediate Effects
- You will be logged out of the WhimTrav app and website
- You will no longer be able to sign in with your deleted account
- Your profile, RV specifications, and preferences will be removed from our database
- Your community validations will be removed (green shields may decrease on validated locations)
- Your forum posts and replies will be deleted
Timeline
- App-Based Deletion: Immediate (data deleted within seconds)
- Website-Based Deletion: Immediate (when feature is available)
- Email Request Deletion: Within 30 days of verification
Third-Party Data
- Google Services: Data processed by Google (Maps, Gemini AI, Places) is subject to Google's retention policies. We cannot delete data stored by Google. See Google's Privacy Policy for more information.
- Firebase: Account credentials managed by Firebase Authentication will be deleted according to Firebase's deletion process (typically immediate).
⚠️ Important: Deletion is Permanent and Irreversible
Once your account is deleted, it CANNOT be recovered.
- You cannot undo account deletion
- You will lose all your RV specifications and preferences
- You will lose all your community validations
- You will lose all your forum posts and replies
- You will need to create a new account if you want to use WhimTrav again
Before deleting, consider: If you're having issues with the app or want to change your preferences, contact support@whimtrav.com first. We may be able to help without requiring account deletion.
Creating a New Account After Deletion
If you delete your account and later decide to use WhimTrav again, you can create a new account:
- Same Email: You can reuse the same email address for a new account after deletion is complete
- Fresh Start: You will need to complete the onboarding process again (RV specs, preferences, privacy policy acceptance)
- No Data Recovery: None of your previous data (validations, forum posts, preferences) can be restored
Alternatives to Account Deletion
If you're considering deleting your account, here are some alternatives:
1. Update Your Profile
- Change your RV specifications if you've upgraded or changed vehicles
- Update your travel preferences if your camping style has changed
- Edit your activity interests to get better recommendations
2. Revoke Permissions
- Disable location access in device settings if you don't want the app to access your GPS
- Disable microphone access if you don't want to use the voice assistant
- Uninstall the app without deleting your account (you can reinstall later)
3. Log Out (Keep Account)
- Simply log out of the app to stop using it temporarily
- Your account and data will be preserved if you want to return later
California Residents (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information (as described on this page)
- Right to Know: You can request a copy of the personal information we have collected about you
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights
To exercise your CCPA rights, email privacy@whimtrav.com with the subject line "California Privacy Request".
European Residents (GDPR)
If you are a European resident, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data (as described on this page)
- Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format
- Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate data
To exercise your GDPR rights, email privacy@whimtrav.com with the subject line "GDPR Request".
Data Deletion for Third-Party Services
WhimTrav uses several third-party services that may have processed your data. To delete data from these services, you must contact them directly:
Google Services (Maps, Gemini AI, Places)
Mapbox
HERE Maps
Questions or Need Help?
We're Here to Help
If you're considering deleting your account due to technical issues, privacy concerns, or feature requests, please reach out to support@whimtrav.com first. We value your feedback and may be able to address your concerns without requiring account deletion.