Privacy policy

The short version

Embark does not sell personal information, show adverts, use advertising trackers or include third-party analytics. It uses the minimum information needed to plan and follow journeys, send alerts you ask for, sync your data through iCloud and create journey links you choose to share.

Information kept on your devices and in iCloud

Your saved journeys, journey history, settings and statistics are kept on your device. If iCloud sync is enabled, Apple stores a private copy in your iCloud account so it can appear on your other devices. Apple handles your Apple Account and iCloud service under its own privacy terms.

If you choose calendar access, Embark adds or updates journey events in your calendar. If you scan a schedule card or choose photos, the images and text recognition stay on your device; Embark uses the recognised train details to look up the relevant rail service. Build 1 does not collect your precise location.

Information used for notifications and Live Activities

If you enable notifications, Embark sends its server a random installation identifier, an encrypted Apple push token, app version, notification permission state and your notification choices. For journeys you choose to monitor, the server also receives the stations, train identities, planned times and connection details needed to detect relevant changes.

Apple Push Notification service receives the alert or Live Activity update so it can reach your device. Embark records limited delivery and interaction information, such as whether Apple accepted an alert and whether it was opened, to prevent duplicates and diagnose failures. It does not use this information for advertising or profiling.

Journey planning, live rail information and service operation

When you search, plan or refresh a journey, Embark's server processes the stations, dates and train details in the request and obtains rail information from its data providers. Like most online services, the server and its hosting providers also process basic network and request information, such as an IP address, time, requested page and errors, where needed to deliver the service, limit abuse and keep it reliable.

Journeys you share

Creating a share link sends the journey's route, stations, times and live status to Embark's server. The link does not include your name or device location, but anyone who has the link can see its journey information. You can stop sharing at any time. Access then ends immediately, and the stored share is automatically deleted after it expires, normally two hours after the journey arrives.

Why this information is used

• To provide the features you choose, including journey planning, live updates, sharing and alerts.
• To keep Embark secure, prevent misuse and fix reliability problems.
• To meet legal obligations and respond to privacy requests.

Device permissions, notifications and optional sharing are used only after you choose them. Other limited processing is necessary to provide Embark or supports the legitimate interest in running a safe and reliable beta.

How long information is kept

Device and iCloud data remains until you delete it or remove it through the relevant Apple settings. Server monitoring copies expire shortly after the journey, and privacy-minimised operational records are normally kept for up to 30 days. Push registration information remains while notifications are enabled and is removed or disabled when you turn them off, delete the registration or Apple reports that the token is no longer valid. Shared journeys follow the expiry described above.

Who receives information

Information is shared only with service providers needed to run Embark: Apple for TestFlight, iCloud and push delivery; hosting and network providers; and rail data providers used to answer journey requests. They receive only what is needed for their role. Information may also be disclosed if required by law or to protect people and the service.

Your choices and rights

You can change camera, calendar, iCloud and notification access in Embark or iPhone Settings. You can delete saved journeys and stop shared links from within Embark. Depending on UK data-protection law, you may also ask for access, correction, deletion, restriction or a copy of personal information, or object to some uses. Email [email protected]. You may complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office if a concern is not resolved.

Changes to this policy

This policy will be updated when Embark's features or data use materially change. The date at the top will show the latest version.