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ChiongBus

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 14 November 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how the ChiongBus mobile application (“ChiongBus”, “the app”, “we”, “us”) handles information when you use it. ChiongBus is published by Beaconweaves and helps you get around Singapore using public transport.

We built ChiongBus to be private by default. You do not create an account, and we do not ask for your name, email address, or phone number.

The short version

  • No account, no sign-in. ChiongBus works anonymously.
  • Location is used to show nearby stops and plan journeys. Apple Maps services may process location information when you use map or address features.
  • Transit data comes from Singapore’s LTA DataMall. Those requests do not include your identity or your GPS position.
  • Analytics is off unless you opt in and regional settings permit it. Crash and performance reporting may run when Firebase is configured.
  • Ads are non-personalized and shown only where required, and can be removed entirely with a one-time in-app purchase.
  • Your favourites, saved places, and settings stay on your device.

Location

If you grant permission, ChiongBus uses your device location while you are using the app (“When In Use” only — never in the background). Location is used to:

  • show bus stops and MRT stations near you, and
  • set the starting point when you plan a journey.

Transit route calculations use data stored on your device. ChiongBus does not send your precise GPS location to Beaconweaves or LTA DataMall. When you search for a place, use a map, or name a saved location, Apple Maps services may process your search terms, map area, or selected coordinates under Apple’s privacy policy.

You can grant, deny, or revoke location access at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → ChiongBus. ChiongBus remains usable without location access; you can search for stops manually.

Transit data (LTA DataMall)

ChiongBus retrieves live and reference transit information — bus arrivals, bus and train routes, service alerts, facility and crowding information — from LTA DataMall, a service operated by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority. These requests are authenticated with an application key that belongs to the app, not to you, and do not include any personal information or your location.

Analytics and diagnostics

To understand which features are useful and to fix crashes and performance problems, ChiongBus can use Google Firebase (Analytics, Crashlytics, and Performance Monitoring) and Apple’s on-device MetricKit diagnostics.

  • Analytics collection is disabled when the app launches and is enabled only if you opt in through the app and regional consent settings permit collection.
  • Analytics events describe product interactions (for example, viewing a stop, adding a favourite, or planning a journey). Some events include public transit identifiers such as a bus-stop code, station code, or service number. Paired with a timestamp these can act as a coarse-location signal — but they are public network references, not your GPS position.
  • Crash and performance data (diagnostic logs, device model, OS version) help us diagnose problems. When Firebase is configured, these services may collect data independently of the app’s analytics toggle.

This information is not linked to your identity (you have no account) and is not used to track you across other companies’ apps or websites.

Advertising

ChiongBus may show a banner advertisement via Google AdMob. Advertising is handled as follows:

  • Where required (for example, for users in the EEA/UK), a consent prompt is shown using Google’s User Messaging Platform. The app uses Google’s regional consent status to determine whether it may request ads and enable analytics.
  • Ads are requested as non-personalized — they are not tailored to you using your personal data or interests.
  • ChiongBus does not display Apple’s App Tracking Transparency prompt because it does not track you across other apps.
  • Apple’s SKAdNetwork may be used for privacy-preserving measurement of ad installs; this does not identify you.

You can remove ads permanently with the one-time in-app purchase described below.

Purchases

ChiongBus offers a one-time in-app purchase (a “premium unlock” that removes ads). Payment is processed entirely by Apple through the App Store. ChiongBus never sees or stores your payment card, billing address, or other financial details. Your purchase status is determined on-device from your App Store transactions, and can be restored via Restore Purchases.

Information stored on your device

The following is stored locally on your device only and is not uploaded to us or synced to any cloud service:

  • Favourites — the stops and services you save.
  • Saved places — such as home or work locations you add.
  • Settings and preferences — accessibility, notification, and display options.

Favourites are kept in a shared app container so that ChiongBus’s widgets and Siri shortcuts can display them. Deleting the app removes all of this data from your device.

What we do not do

  • We do not require or create an account.
  • We do not collect your name, email, phone number, or contacts.
  • We do not receive your precise GPS location. Saved places can store coordinates on your device.
  • We do not sell your personal information.
  • We do not track you across other apps or websites.

Your choices

  • Location: manage in iOS Settings (see above).
  • Analytics and ads consent: you can change your consent choice from within the app. The analytics toggle controls analytics. Ad requests depend on the regional consent settings, and the app requests non-personalized ads.
  • Remove ads: purchase the premium unlock.
  • Delete your data: delete the app to remove all locally stored data.

Third-party services

ChiongBus relies on the following third parties. Their handling of data is governed by their own policies:

  • Land Transport Authority (LTA DataMall) — transit data.
  • Google (Firebase and AdMob) — analytics, crash reporting, performance, and advertising. See Google’s Privacy Policy.
  • Apple — Maps and geocoding, App Store payments, and on-device diagnostics. See Apple’s Privacy Policy.

Children

ChiongBus is a general-audience utility and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Data retention

Because ChiongBus does not maintain user accounts, we do not hold a personal profile about you. Data stored on your device remains until you delete it or uninstall the app. Diagnostic and analytics data collected through Google and Apple is retained according to those providers’ policies.

Your rights

ChiongBus is operated from Singapore and handles personal data in line with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or request deletion of personal data. Since we do not hold an account or profile that identifies you, most data is under your direct control on your device; for anything else, contact us using the details below.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected here with a new “Last updated” date. Continued use of the app after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your privacy? Email us at hello@beaconweaves.com.