Privacy policy
ASD Connects is a local Ontario resource and events directory for autistic people, parents and caregivers. This policy explains the information used by the current app and how you can control it.
Who to contact
ASD Connects is operated by its developer, Ryan. For privacy questions or deletion requests, email ryanellis231@gmail.com. This policy applies to ASD Connects, not to other NorthStar services.
Information stored on your device
The current app does not require a shared online account. Your profile name, selected avatar and optional time zone, area and distance preferences, display settings, saved resources, reactions, and locally created posts, replies, events and resource suggestions are stored on your device. Local posts and replies are not published to other users. Scripted profiles and conversation starters are app features, not accounts belonging to real community members.
Downloaded public feed items, images and signed web-content updates may also be cached on your device. The developer does not receive your locally entered content through these features. Avoid entering information you do not want stored on the device, especially medical records or other sensitive information.
Optional location
You can choose an Ontario area manually without granting location permission. If you choose “Use my location,” Android asks for approximate-location access. The app rounds the coordinates to two decimal places and uses them during the current visit to sort nearby resources and centre the map. It does not request background location or send a location history to an ASD Connects account server.
When a map is displayed, the map provider receives requests for the map tiles being viewed. Those requests can reveal the geographic area displayed, including an area near your approximate location. You can revoke location permission in Android Settings at any time.
Online content and third-party services
The app connects over HTTPS to external services to provide its features. These services necessarily receive your IP address and request information, such as the requested resource and technical connection details. Their processing and retention are governed by their own policies.
- OpenStreetMap: map tiles for the area you view. Privacy policy.
- Open-Meteo: weather forecasts requested using event venue or approximate area coordinates. A location you enter for a local event may be used for that event’s weather forecast. Terms and privacy information.
- Autism Ontario, CBC, Reddit and their approved image hosts: public event, local activity, news and image requests. Your locally written posts, profile and saved items are not included in these source requests. Autism Ontario, CBC, Reddit privacy policy.
- Google: the current version checks a Google Drive download for signed app web-content updates. Google Play also processes downloads and store activity under its own terms. Google privacy policy.
- External links: opening a provider, event registration or Google Maps link takes you to another service. Any information you submit there is handled by that service.
Advertising, analytics and information sharing
The current app contains no advertising SDK or developer analytics SDK and does not request an advertising identifier. We do not sell your personal information or use your local profile and posts for targeted advertising. Network requests described above still disclose technical information to the services providing the content.
Support messages
If you email us, we receive your email address and the information and attachments you choose to send. We use these to answer your request and maintain necessary support records. Please do not send medical records, identity documents or a child’s private information unless a specific issue requires it. You can request deletion of support correspondence using the contact above; information required for an unresolved request or a legal obligation may need to be retained.
Retention and deletion
Local preferences and content remain on your device until removed or the app’s storage is cleared. You can remove all local app data through Android Settings → Apps → ASD Connects → Storage → Clear storage, or by uninstalling the app. This removes local profiles, drafts, saved items and settings and cannot be undone through the app. Cached content may be refreshed or removed automatically. There is no shared ASD Connects account to delete in this version.
We cannot delete information held independently by third-party services. Contact those providers for their retention and deletion options. If you use a browser version, clear that site’s browser storage to remove locally stored information.
Children and families
ASD Connects is intended to help people across age groups and their caregivers. The current app does not ask for a date of birth and does not provide shared child accounts. Parents and caregivers should supervise children’s use of external feeds, links and optional location features. Public third-party content can change; the app’s topic filters do not guarantee that every linked item is suitable for every age. If you believe a child has sent personal information to the developer, contact us to request its removal.
Security and this website
The Android app uses HTTPS for its built-in network requests, stores app data within its Android application storage, and disables Android backup for its app data. Signed web-content updates are checked before use. No storage or transmission method is guaranteed completely secure.
This policy website is hosted through Cloudflare. Cloudflare processes network and security information, such as IP addresses and request logs, to deliver and protect the website. This page contains no analytics scripts, advertising or contact forms. See Cloudflare’s privacy policy.
Changes to this policy
We will update this page when app data practices change. The date at the top identifies the latest revision. Features such as shared accounts or cloud posting will require updated disclosures before they are introduced.