SatQSO Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 19, 2026

This policy explains how SatQSO, the Android amateur radio satellite pass planner, handles information. The app’s package name is com.thenetworkings.satqso. It describes the functionality in version 1.3.8.

SatQSO is developed and maintained by Cris Beagle. References to “we” mean Cris Beagle, the SatQSO developer. The app’s project is available at github.com/linuxx/SatQSO. Privacy questions can be sent to [email protected].

1. Location and device orientation

With your permission, SatQSO accesses your device’s approximate or precise location, including latitude, longitude, and available altitude, to calculate satellite passes and display your Maidenhead grid locator. You can instead enter coordinates manually or select a location on the map. Denying location permission does not prevent you from using a manually selected location.

Pass calculations take place on your device. SatQSO does not send your observer coordinates to the satellite orbital-data providers or to a developer-operated location server. Opening the online map involves separate map requests, described below.

SatQSO uses Android and Google Play services to obtain location. Those platform services may process device and location information according to your device settings and Google’s Privacy Policy.

The app reads device orientation sensors to orient its sky plot. These readings are processed on your device and are not intentionally saved or uploaded by SatQSO.

SatQSO does not request background location permission or continuously record your movements. Its scheduled background orbital-data downloads do not require your location or include your observer coordinates.

2. Information stored on your device

SatQSO stores information needed to retain your settings and provide cached predictions, including:

• Your saved manual location, when you choose one.
• The observer location associated with the most recently saved pass predictions, which can be a GPS location or a manually selected location.
• Cached pass predictions, satellite orbital elements, and download or calculation timestamps.
• Filters and display preferences, such as minimum elevation, operating modes, prediction window, time format, screen-awake preference, and orientation lock.
• Temporary CHIRP export files and map tiles cached by the map component.

Saved app preferences and pass caches use Android’s app-specific storage. Map caching is managed by the map component and Android. SatQSO does not require an account, name, email address, or amateur radio callsign to use its prediction features.

3. Satellite data downloads

SatQSO connects to AMSAT, CelesTrak, and, when needed, SatNOGS to download public orbital data. Requests identify satellite groups or spacecraft, not your observer coordinates.

As with other internet connections, these providers and their hosting services receive connection information such as your IP address, request time, requested resource, and client headers. Providers may keep server logs under their own policies. An IP address can indicate an approximate geographic area. SatQSO also makes scheduled orbital-data requests in the background when Android allows them and a network connection is available.

4. Online maps

When you open the location picker, SatQSO uses the OpenStreetMap standard map tiles through the osmdroid map component. The tile service receives your IP address, requested map tile identifiers and zoom levels, request times, and an application identifier in the request header.

Map requests reveal the geographic area you are viewing. Because the map can open around your current or selected location, these requests may reveal your approximate location or a location of interest to the map provider. The displayed location pin itself is handled within the app.

Map requests are subject to the OpenStreetMap Foundation Privacy Policy. You can avoid online map requests by entering coordinates directly instead of opening the map picker.

5. Sharing and exports

When you choose CHIRP export, SatQSO creates a CSV containing satellite names, pass times, and radio channel settings. The current CSV format does not include your raw latitude and longitude. Android’s share sheet lets you choose an app or destination to receive the file.

Sharing happens at your request. The receiving app or service handles the exported copy under its own privacy policy. Files you save or share outside SatQSO are not removed when you clear SatQSO’s storage or uninstall it.

6. Advertising, analytics, and platform services

SatQSO does not include advertising, behavioral analytics, or a third-party crash-reporting SDK. The app does not request access to your contacts, camera, or microphone, and it does not request the Android advertising identifier permission. We do not sell personal information or use app data for targeted advertising.

Android, Google Play, Google Play services, your device manufacturer, and any app you choose for sharing may independently process installation, diagnostic, device, or other information under their own settings and policies. This policy describes SatQSO’s handling of information; it does not replace those services’ policies.

7. Android backups and transfers

SatQSO enables Android’s backup functionality. Depending on your device, operating system, and backup settings, app data may be included in cloud backups or device transfers. This can include saved locations, the observer location in a pass cache, and preferences.

Backups and transfers are managed by Android and your backup provider, rather than by a SatQSO backup server. Manage or delete those copies through your device and backup-provider settings. Data may be restored when you reinstall the app or move to another device.

8. Retention and deletion

Saved preferences and the latest cached observer location remain on your device until they are changed, replaced, or removed. Pass caches are replaced when new predictions are saved. Cached tiles and temporary export files may remain until the app, Android, or you remove them. Orbital-data refresh intervals are not automatic deletion deadlines for location or preference data.

You can:

• Revoke location permission in Android Settings to stop future device-location access by SatQSO.
• Change the manual location or use the app’s Reset to GPS option to remove the saved manual-location preference. Resetting to GPS does not erase existing pass caches or backups, and subsequent predictions may store a GPS observer location.
• Use Android Settings > Apps > SatQSO > Storage & cache > Clear storage (wording varies by device) to remove app preferences and pass data from that installation. Clearing cache alone does not remove all saved data.
• Uninstall SatQSO to remove its private app data from that device.
• Separately delete exported files, shared copies, or map-cache files that remain in other storage, and manage any Android backup copies through your backup settings.

There is no SatQSO account or developer-operated location database to delete. Third-party network logs, platform records, and backups are subject to the relevant provider’s retention and deletion procedures.

9. Security

The app’s satellite-data and standard map-tile downloads use HTTPS. Android’s application isolation and your device security settings help protect app-specific data. No device, network connection, or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Exported files, backups, and third-party service records are subject to the protections of those destinations.

10. Information you choose to send us

If you contact the developer, the information you provide is used to respond to your question, investigate a reported problem, or maintain the app. Messages and issue records may remain with the communication service you use, subject to that service’s policies. You can contact the developer about removing information from a project issue, although copies held by other services or users may remain outside the developer’s control.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when SatQSO’s features or information-handling practices change. The revised policy will show an updated effective date. Material changes that require a disclosure or permission will be presented as required through the app or its distribution platform.

12. Contact

• Developer: Cris Beagle
• App: SatQSO (com.thenetworkings.satqso)
• Privacy contact: [email protected]

Please include “SatQSO privacy” in the subject line so your message can be identified. Only include information needed to explain your question or request; do not send passwords or other credentials.