Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2026-06-16

This policy explains what BoatClaw collects, what it doesn't, and the choices you have. We've tried to write it the way we'd want it written for us: plainly, honestly, and without burying the important parts.

Who we are

BoatClaw is built by Crab Labs LLC ("Crab Labs", "we", "us", "our"), a small independent software studio. BoatClaw is a marine navigation app for iPhone and iPad. For anything in this policy — questions, requests, or concerns — reach us at team@boatclaw.com.

A quick summary

• No ads. There is no third-party advertising and no ad-tracking technology in the app.
• We don't sell your data. Not to advertisers, not to data brokers, not to anyone.
• An account is optional. Core navigation works with no sign-in at all.
• Minimal collection. We keep what's needed to run the app and, if you ask for it, to back up your own content.
• Your position stays with you. Your live location is used on your device and is not broadcast to us.

Accounts and Sign in with Apple

You don't need an account to use BoatClaw. If you choose to sign in, you do so through Apple's "Sign in with Apple." When you do, Crab Labs receives the user identifier Apple assigns to you and — only if you choose to share it — a private relay email address that Apple provides. We use these to recognize your account and to enable cloud backup. We don't receive your name or your real email address through Sign in with Apple unless you choose to share it.

Cloud backup and sync

Cloud backup is available only when you're signed in, and only for your own content. When enabled, the app can back up the things you've created in BoatClaw to Crab Labs' private cloud storage so they can be restored if you switch or replace your device. That content includes:

• Your app settings and preferences
• Your saved routes and waypoints
• Your recorded GPS track logs
• The documents and photos you keep in the vessel vault

This content is private to your account. It is not shared with other users, and it is not used for advertising or sold. When you sign in on a new device, your backed-up content can be restored to that device. If you're not signed in, no backup happens — your content simply stays on your device (see below).

Location

When you grant location permission, BoatClaw uses your precise location and heading on your device to show your position on the live map, to power hazard awareness, and to record track logs when you choose to. Your live position is processed on the device and is not broadcast to Crab Labs. Recorded track logs are stored on your device; they leave the device only if you turn on backup, in which case they're included in your own private backup as described above.

What stays on your device

By default — with no account — your content lives on your device and nowhere else. That includes your boat profiles, saved routes, waypoints, layer preferences, downloaded chart regions, and recorded track logs. None of it is uploaded to us unless you sign in and enable backup.

Services your device contacts

BoatClaw fuses live data from a number of public agencies and third-party services. To fetch that data, your device sends technical requests to those providers — for example, the map region you're viewing or a query derived from your location. Each provider receives only what's needed to answer the request, and each provider's own privacy terms apply to those requests:

• Mapbox serves the base map.
• Weather and conditions come from public agencies and services, including NOAA, the National Weather Service, the National Data Buoy Center, Iowa Mesonet, WeatherSTEM, WebCOOS, and Open-Meteo.
• Live vessel traffic (AIS) is provided by a third-party AIS service.

We name these so you know who your device talks to. We don't control these providers' practices; please review their policies if you'd like the details.

Secure storage

Certain credentials the app uses — such as a data key for live AIS traffic — are stored securely in the iOS Keychain on your device.

Diagnostics and crash logs

We receive diagnostics only if you opt into sharing them with Apple through your device's system settings. If you do, Apple may share aggregated, anonymized crash reports with us so we can fix bugs. Those reports do not include your identity, your position, or your routes.

The website and beta signup

BoatClaw is currently entering beta through Apple's TestFlight, which is invite-only and pre-release. If you sign up on this website to request a beta invite, we collect your first name, last name, and email address so we can send you a TestFlight invite and the occasional beta update. That information is stored in Crab Labs' systems and is not sold or used for advertising. You can ask us to delete it at any time by emailing team@boatclaw.com. Apple's own App Store and TestFlight terms also apply to how the app is distributed to you.

Your rights and data deletion

You're in control of your data. The app offers in-app account deletion, which removes your account and its cloud backups. For any other request — to access, correct, or delete information we hold — email us at team@boatclaw.com and we'll take care of it.

Children

BoatClaw is intended for adult boaters and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 13 (or under 16 where local law requires). If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we'll delete it.

Changes

We'll update the "Last updated" date above when this policy changes. If a change is significant, we'll do our best to flag it clearly.

Contact

Questions about your privacy, or anything in this policy: team@boatclaw.com.