Privacy Policy

Last updated: 16 May 2026

SimpleMapLab ("we," "us," "our") operates simplemaplab.com. This page explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

Summary

• We do not store your GPS coordinates or location searches.
• We do not require an account, email, or login.
• We do not sell personal data to third parties.
• All tools run in your browser — your data stays on your device.
• We use display advertising (Google AdSense / Raptive) which may use cookies.
• We use Google Analytics for anonymous traffic analysis.
• We use Microsoft Clarity for anonymized heatmaps and session replay (form input is automatically masked).

1. Information we collect

Location data

When you use "Detect My Location" or similar GPS features, your browser asks for permission before sharing coordinates. These coordinates are processed entirely in your browser — they are not sent to our servers. For geocoding (converting addresses to coordinates), your search query is sent directly to open-source services: Photon and Nominatim. We do not proxy, log, or store these queries.

Analytics data

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages are visited and how users interact with the site. GA4 collects anonymized data such as page views, session duration, referral source, device type, and approximate geographic region (country/city level). We do not link this data to individual identities.

We also use Microsoft Clarity for behavioural analytics — aggregate heatmaps, scroll-depth metrics, and anonymized session replay. Clarity records mouse movement, clicks, scrolls, and form-field interactions; form input text is automatically masked before transmission and never reaches Microsoft. The data is processed by Microsoft under their privacy statement and is used only to find usability problems (e.g. a confusingly placed button on a tool page). You can opt out via the universal opt-out link at the bottom of this section.

Cookies

SimpleMapLab itself sets no cookies. However, our advertising partner and analytics provider may set cookies:

• Google Analytics — anonymous traffic measurement cookies
• Microsoft Clarity — anonymized session-replay and heatmap analytics cookies
• Google AdSense — advertising and ad-personalisation cookies (see the dedicated section below)

2. Google AdSense (advertising)

SimpleMapLab uses Google AdSense to display advertising. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on our site. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet.

Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect or receive information from this website and elsewhere on the Internet, and use that information to provide measurement services and target ads. AdSense may also use a unique cookie identifier (such as Google's DoubleClick cookie) to recognise repeat visitors and deliver more relevant ads.

Users may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalised advertising by visiting aboutads.info (Digital Advertising Alliance) or youronlinechoices.eu (European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance). EU visitors will see a consent prompt before personalised ads are served, in line with the GDPR and Google's EU User Consent Policy.

For more detail on how Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services, see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services and Google's advertising policies.

3. Third-party services

Our tools connect to these external services. Each has its own privacy policy:

• OpenFreeMap — map tile rendering
• Photon (Komoot) — address autocomplete
• Nominatim (OSM) — reverse geocoding
• Valhalla (FOSSGIS) — drive time routing
• Open-Meteo — elevation data
• Google Analytics — traffic analysis
• Microsoft Clarity — behavioural analytics and session replay (governed by Microsoft's privacy statement)

4. Data we do not collect

• We do not collect or store GPS coordinates.
• We do not collect email addresses (there is no account system).
• We do not collect names, phone numbers, or payment information.
• We do not use fingerprinting or device identification.

5. Children's privacy

SimpleMapLab does not knowingly collect data from children under 13. The site is designed to be used by people of all ages, including in educational settings.

6. Your rights

Under the GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), and similar laws, you have the right to access, correct, or delete any personal data we hold. Since we collect no personal data beyond anonymous analytics, there is nothing to delete — but you can contact us with any questions.

To opt out of Google Analytics, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. Microsoft Clarity automatically respects the Global Privacy Control signal and the legacy Do Not Track header, so enabling either in your browser opts you out of Clarity session recording on this site. To opt out of personalized advertising, visit Google Ads Settings.

7. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "last updated" date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance.

8. Contact

Questions about this policy? Email hello@simplemaplab.com or visit our Contact page.