Privacy Policy
Last updated: April 22, 2026

Manhole Quest (“the App”) is a mobile application for discovering, browsing, and collecting Japanese manhole covers, developed by emonster, inc. (“we”, “our”, or “us”). This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when you use the App and how that information is used, stored, and disclosed.

By downloading, installing, or using the App, you consent to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please discontinue use and uninstall the App.

1. Information We Collect

The App does not require you to create an account and does not ask for your name, phone number, contacts, or social-graph information.

If you contact us through the website support form or by email, we collect the information you provide, such as your name, email address, topic, message, app or device details, and cover or location details. We may also collect basic technical metadata associated with the request, such as page URL, referrer, browser or device information, language, time zone, viewport, and source IP address. We use this information to route and respond to your request, troubleshoot issues, and protect the support form from abuse. Support requests may be processed through our email delivery provider and support ticketing provider.

We only process the following limited categories of information.

When you choose to use nearby discovery, mapping, weather, scanning, or photo-related features, the App may request access to your precise location, the camera, and photos you explicitly select or save. These permissions are optional and controlled by iOS.

1.1 Device & App Information (Non-Personal)

When you use the App, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as:

Device model and operating system version;
Language, region, and time zone settings;
App version and build number;
IP address (processed by third-party services for security and approximate location);
Basic diagnostic data about how the App is used (e.g., which screens are visited).

This information is used to operate and improve the App and does not directly identify you as an individual.

1.2 Analytics

The App may use Firebase Analytics to understand basic usage patterns and performance. This may include:

Which screens or features are used and how often;
Session duration and general engagement;
Technical events such as app launches and version updates.

Analytics data is aggregated and used to improve stability, reliability, and user experience.

1.3 Crash Reports

The App may use Firebase Crashlytics to collect anonymous crash and error reports, including:

Stack traces and error codes;
Device model and OS version at the time of crash;
App state information relevant to diagnosing the issue.

This information is used solely to identify and fix bugs, improve reliability, and enhance performance. Crash reports do not contain direct personal identifiers such as your name or email address.

1.4 Advertising

Manhole Quest does not display in-app advertising.

1.5 Analytics & Diagnostics Services

The App may use a small number of analytics and diagnostics services to help us understand performance, stability, and feature usage. These tools do not collect personal identifiers such as your name, email address, or phone number.

Depending on app configuration and the features you use, we may use:

Apple WeatherKit and Apple location or map services – limited request data needed to provide local weather, nearby discovery, reverse geocoding, and mapping features when you choose to use them.
Firebase Analytics – aggregated, non-personal usage events (for example: app launches, which screens are visited, settings changes, in-app purchase lifecycle events, and general engagement patterns).
Firebase Crashlytics – anonymous crash and error reports, stack traces, device model, OS version, and app version.

All analytics and diagnostics data is used solely for improving stability, performance, and product quality. We do not sell your data and we do not use analytics data for interest-based advertising.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the limited information we process for the following purposes:

To operate and maintain the App;
To provide nearby map, location, and local weather features when you grant permission;
To support camera and photo-based scanning or save flows when you choose them;
To understand how the App is used and improve performance and reliability;
To diagnose crashes and technical issues;
To protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats.

We do not:

Create advertising profiles;
Sell your data to third parties;
Track your activity across other apps or websites for marketing.

3. How Your Information Is Shared

We may share limited information with:

3.1 Service Providers

We use trusted third-party service providers to help us operate the App, including:

Apple WeatherKit and Apple location or map services for weather, map, and nearby discovery support;
Firebase Analytics for usage analytics (if enabled);
Firebase Crashlytics for crash reporting (if enabled).

These providers process information on our behalf and are not allowed to use it for their own independent marketing purposes in the context of this App.

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to do so by law or in good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

Comply with a legal obligation, court order, or governmental request;
Protect and defend our rights or property;
Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the App;
Protect the personal safety of users of the App or the public.

3.3 Aggregated or De-Identified Data

We may use and share aggregated or de-identified data (which does not identify you) for analytics, research, or improving our products.

4. Children’s Privacy

Manhole Quest is intended for a general audience and does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 (or the minimum age required in your country).

If you believe we have accidentally collected personal information from a child, please contact us at [email protected], and we will take steps to address the issue promptly.

5. Your Choices & Controls

You have several options to control privacy-related behavior:

Device Settings: You can manage location, camera, photo, and notification permissions through iOS Settings.
Uninstalling the App: You can stop App-related data collection by uninstalling the App from your device.

If you have questions or wish to exercise data rights under applicable law (e.g., access, deletion where applicable), you can contact us at [email protected].

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Manhole Quest is a native mobile application and does not use browser cookies inside the App itself. However, third-party SDKs (such as Firebase) and platform services (such as Apple WeatherKit) may use identifiers stored on the device or associated with service requests to provide their services, measure performance, and prevent fraud.

7. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the limited data we process in connection with the App. However, no method of transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. International Data Transfers

The App and its supporting services may be operated from, or store data on servers located in the United States or other countries. By using the App, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in these locations, which may have different data protection laws than your country.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the App after such changes take effect will constitute acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you can contact us at:

Email (support): [email protected]
Email (general): [email protected]
Email (privacy): [email protected]

11. Attributions

Manhole Quest may use the following third-party tools or libraries:

Apple WeatherKit and Apple map services
Used to provide weather, mapping, and nearby discovery features.