MGRS Squad
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 28 August 2026
Overview
MGRS Squad (this app) is a tactical mapping tool for Android (package com.ghostmap.tactical). This policy explains what data the app uses, where it is stored, and what you control. Offline mode works without our servers; map imagery still needs a network connection to Google Maps. Online team mode uses our cloud services. Advertising uses Google AdMob as described below (offline banner and optional online rewarded unlock).
Data that stays on this phone
The following stay on this device and are not uploaded by the app to our servers, Firebase, the location WebSocket, Google AdMob, or teammates: SOS / SALUTE recipient phone numbers and names; your address book (contacts are never scanned in the background); breadcrumb/trail GPS history; distance-ruler points you place; and backup or KML files unless you yourself share that file. What can leave the device: live location, team map data, and short team chat messages only while you are in an online session; Google Maps tile requests; optional AdMob ad data when a banner or rewarded ad is shown; and an anonymous session ID in online mode.
Location
Precise location is used to show your position, record breadcrumbs/trails, support SOS and SALUTE messages, place azimuth/distance points from your current GPS, and related map tools. The app may ask for location permission when it starts so the map can get a fix quickly; background (“all the time” / while the screen is off) location may also be requested with an in-app disclosure before the system prompt. Device compass heading is read on this device for the compass HUD, heading-up map follow, and azimuth search; heading is not uploaded as a separate feed. Background location and a foreground service may run when breadcrumbs are enabled, or while an online team session is active, so tracking can continue while the screen is off or while a full-screen rewarded ad is displayed. Breadcrumb trails stay on this device and are not uploaded to teammates. Location is processed on your device in offline mode. In online team mode, live position is shared with your session group (see Online team sessions). We do not use your location to target or personalize ads. When the last member leaves an online group, that group’s cloud session data is deleted.
Notifications
Notification permission may be requested for SOS alerts (including when the app is in the background), for the Android foreground-service status shown while breadcrumbs or an online team session keep location running, and for a reminder when your free or unlocked online-team time is about to end. These notifications are generated on your device from in-app events; the app does not use them for advertising or marketing.
Advertising
Offline tactical mode may show a small Google AdMob banner at the top of the map (above GPS/MGRS). Online team mode may offer a short free trial (about 30 minutes, once per install). After the trial, or instead of the trial, you may watch an optional rewarded video ad served by Google AdMob to unlock about 3 hours of online team access. If an ad cannot load because of a poor connection, you may continue using online mode and the app will try to show the ad when connectivity improves. Where required (for example in the EEA/UK), the app may show a consent form before ads. With your consent, AdMob may serve personalized ads; otherwise ads may be limited or non-personalized. AdMob and Google may process a device advertising identifier (AAID), IP address, device/app info, and ad interaction data under Google’s policies. You can keep using offline map features without watching rewarded ads (the offline banner may still appear). Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy — AdMob help: https://support.google.com/admob/
Contacts
Contacts access is requested only when you choose to pick an SOS (or SALUTE SMS) recipient from your address book. You can type a phone number manually instead. The app does not upload your contact list, the selected name, or the phone number to our servers or to any third party. That name and number stay on this device for SOS use and may be included only if you yourself export a local backup file. If you send an SOS or SALUTE SMS, your device SMS app delivers a message that includes your coordinates and map links to the number you chose — the app does not send SMS in the background and does not transmit the recipient number over the internet.
Backup and local data
Markers (including azimuth/distance points and distance-ruler legs), drawings, perimeters, SALUTE reports, trails, settings, SOS recipient details, and online-access entitlement timers can be stored on this device. Backup/restore creates or reads a file you choose (share sheet / file picker). We do not receive that file unless you yourself send it to someone. You control who receives any shared backup or KML export.
Map tiles and third parties
Map basemap tiles are provided by Google Maps / Google Play services and require network access. Online team data uses Google Firebase Realtime Database and our location WebSocket (see Online team sessions). Ads use Google AdMob. Those Google services may process data according to Google’s own terms and privacy policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy). The app does not operate an offline tile server.
Online team sessions
If you use online team mode, the app creates an anonymous account identifier (no email or password) so your device can join a room and authenticate to our live services. Session membership, callsign/role, shared markers, drawings, geofences, SALUTE reports, SOS/distress signals, activity, and presence may be synced through Google Firebase Realtime Database. Live GPS positions and short team chat messages for the same room are relayed in near real time through a dedicated WebSocket service we operate (gps.medinelaime.lt), separate from the map-tile provider and from AdMob. Chat history kept for the room is limited (about the last 10 messages) and is not a permanent archive. Do not join a session with people you do not trust with that data. When the last member leaves a group, that group’s cloud session data is deleted.
What we do not do
We do not sell your personal data. Offline mode does not require an account. Online mode does not collect email or a password — only an anonymous ID plus the operational data you share in a session. Contacts, SOS phone numbers, and local backup files stay on this device and are not uploaded by the app. Contacts are not scanned in the background. Location and notifications are not sold or used by us to target ads; advertising uses AdMob banner (offline) and optional rewarded video (online unlock) as described above.
Your choices
You can deny or revoke location, notifications, and contacts permissions in system settings (some features will be limited). On Android you can reset or limit the advertising ID in system settings. You can leave an online session, clear trails, remove SOS contact, delete markers from the map, and delete local data via backup replace or by clearing app storage. Uninstalling the app removes local app data unless the system offers to keep it. Offline map features remain available without watching rewarded ads. To request deletion of remaining cloud session data, use https://www.medinelaime.lt/mgrssquad/delete.html or email info@medinelaime.lt.
Children
MGRS Squad is intended for users aged 13 and over, including youth organizations (for example junior riflemen / scout-style field training) with appropriate adult supervision. It is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has used online team mode, contact info@medinelaime.lt and we will delete associated session data we can identify. Location sharing in a team session should only be used with people the user (and, for minors, a parent or guardian) trusts.
Contact
Questions about this privacy policy or MGRS Squad data practices: info@medinelaime.lt. Public policy URL: https://www.medinelaime.lt/mgrssquad/
Changes
We may update this policy as features change. The date at the top of this page shows when the text was last revised. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised policy. The in-app mode screen links to this page and does not embed the full policy text.