The Watch

Privacy Policy

The Watch App LLC

Last updated: October 4, 2026

1. Introduction

The Watch, operated by The Watch App LLC ("we", "our", or "us"), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and web services. By using The Watch, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

Content You Create

Automatically Collected Information

3. How We Use Your Information

4. Data Storage and Security

Video Storage: Recordings are stored using Google Cloud Storage with AES-256 encryption at rest. You control who can access your recordings through your privacy settings.

Missing Person Documents: Police reports and photos submitted through the missing person report form are stored in private, encrypted cloud storage. Access is restricted to administrative staff for verification purposes only.

Database Security: Personal information is stored in encrypted databases (Neon PostgreSQL) with strict access controls and regular security audits.

Transmission Security: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher.

5. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are excluded from all of the sharing categories above, except as needed to deliver the messages you requested. See Section 6.

6. SMS & Mobile Messaging

Program: Panic SMS messages are sent by The Watch App LLC ("The Watch"). We do not send marketing or promotional text messages. Login codes are delivered by email, not SMS.

Message types and frequency: The Panic SMS program sends automated emergency alerts to independently opted-in designated emergency contacts and response administrators when a member activates the Panic Button. Message frequency varies with Panic events.

Separate family-plan features can send invitations and recipient verification codes by SMS when SMS delivery is selected. Panic SMS consent does not enroll recipients in family-plan messaging.

We do not share, sell, or provide your mobile phone number or messaging consent data to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

All categories of personal data we collect exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties except as needed to deliver the messages you requested.

Opt-In: Panic SMS consent is obtained explicitly. It is not bundled with other agreements, not pre-checked, and not a condition of purchase or subscription. Recipients can grant or revoke for their own number on our public guest consent page without an account, or use the member consent page to save their account preference. The guest flow requires separate unchecked permission before a one-time verification SMS and saves the choice only after code verification; requesting a code does not activate alerts. Adding someone as an emergency contact does not subscribe them. Legacy member grants are self-attested and are not phone-possession verification. A provider STOP block cannot be overridden.

Opt-Out and Help: Reply STOP to opt out of SMS from the sending number, or HELP for help. You can also verify your number and revoke Panic SMS consent on our public guest consent page, or use the member consent form, to stop future Panic SMS attempts after saving. A message already in transit may still arrive. Website consent does not override a messaging-provider STOP block.

Message and data rates may apply. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchase.

Support: For help with SMS messages, email Watchful_citizen1@thewatchapp.org. Full Panic program terms are in our SMS Terms & Conditions.

7. Missing Person Submissions

When subscribers submit a missing person report, the submitted information (including name, photo, last known location, circumstances, and police report documentation) is reviewed by our administrative team before publication. Approved profiles are displayed within the subscriber-only database and community feed. Rejected submissions are not published. Police report documents are stored privately and are only accessed by authorized staff during the review process.

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

To exercise these rights, contact us at Watchful_citizen1@thewatchapp.org.

9. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for fraud prevention. Video recordings may be retained longer at your request or as required for ongoing legal matters.

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for users under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

11. Third-Party Services

Our service integrates with the following third parties, each governed by their own privacy policies:

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be stored and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the app, you consent to the transfer of your data to these locations.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes via email or a prominent in-app notice. Your continued use of the service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

For data subject requests, include "Privacy Request" in the subject line.