Last updated: 6 July 2026
Who we are
Dorset Live Weather provides local weather observations, forecasts, webcams and weather guidance. Privacy enquiries can be sent to j@cquessteventon.com.
Information used by the Android app
The app may request optional approximate location access while it is in use. This is used to choose and order nearby Dorset Live Weather stations and cameras. The app does not request background-location permission, use location for advertising or create a location history. Device coordinates are held temporarily in app memory and are not uploaded to a Dorset Live Weather user account.
App preferences, cached station readings, cached webcam frames, alert history and basic reliability diagnostics are stored locally on the device. Reliability diagnostics can include connection timings, error summaries and details of a previous app crash; they are not automatically uploaded by this version of the app. Android may include app settings in a device backup where the user has enabled platform backups.
Google Analytics for Firebase is enabled by default after the app presents a prominent first-run notice. It collects statistical information about app interactions, screens and features used, selected station area, app/device information and coarse geographic information such as city, region and country. Dorset Live Weather does not send the phone's GPS coordinates, webcam images, feedback text or email address to Analytics. Advertising identifiers, ad personalisation and install-referrer marketing attribution are disabled. Analytics can be switched off free of charge during the first-run notice or at any time under Privacy & analytics in the app's Settings.
Network requests and third parties
The app connects over HTTPS to dorsetliveweather.co.uk for observations, webcams and advisories, and to Open-Meteo for forecast, pollen and marine model data. These services necessarily receive technical information such as the requesting IP address, time and user-agent. Open-Meteo requests use the selected station or beach coordinates rather than the phone's precise position. Open-Meteo's own terms and privacy information apply to its service.
If notification permission is enabled, the app uses Google Firebase Cloud Messaging to deliver Dorset Live Weather advisories and optional app-news or feedback invitations. Firebase processes an app-installation token and necessary device/app technical information for message delivery. The token is not used by Dorset Live Weather for advertising or behavioural profiling. Notification categories can be changed in the app's Settings, and notification permission can be withdrawn in Android settings.
Firebase App Check with Google Play Integrity is used to help protect the in-app feedback service from automated or unauthorised submissions. Google and Firebase may process necessary app, device and integrity information to provide that protection.
Standard website security/access logs may be retained by Dorset Live Weather or its hosting provider for up to 90 days, unless a longer period is necessary to investigate abuse, protect the service or comply with law.
Feedback and communications
The app only sends feedback after the user presses the Send feedback button. A submission can include a usefulness score, selected features and priorities, a requested station location, an optional written comment, optional name, optional reply address, selected station identifier, app version and Android API version. Precise GPS coordinates and the device model are not included. Responses are stored privately in Google Cloud Firestore and are not available to other app users.
Name and email address are optional and should only be supplied when the user is happy to be contacted. Feedback responses and related correspondence may be retained for up to 24 months, or longer where reasonably required for legal, security or service-planning purposes. You may request deletion sooner.
Weather notifications are generated from the user's settings and weather data or delivered through Firebase Cloud Messaging. The app uses Google Analytics for Firebase solely for statistical service improvement and contains no advertising SDK or Dorset Live Weather user-registration system.
Legal basis, retention and your rights
Optional location is used at the user's request to provide automatic station/camera selection. Analytics storage/access is used under the statistical-purposes exception for aggregate service improvement, with a clear notice and simple opt-out; related personal-data processing is limited to that purpose and handled under legitimate interests where applicable. Service security and necessary technical logs are processed for the legitimate interest of operating and protecting the service. Feedback is processed with the user's clear action to submit it and for the legitimate interests of improving, planning and supporting the service; optional contact details are used only to respond where appropriate.
Local app information can be removed by clearing the app's storage or uninstalling it. Turning off analytics stops future collection and resets the app's local Analytics data. To ask about access, correction, restriction, objection or deletion of information held by Dorset Live Weather, email the address above. UK users may also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.
Security and changes
Network data is requested over HTTPS and the app asks only for approximate foreground location. No internet service can guarantee absolute security or availability. Material changes to this policy will be published on this page with a revised date.