Privacy Policy

Who we are

HideFinder (hidefinder.com) is a directory of wildlife photography hides, guided tours, and workshops. We are an independent project, not affiliated with any of the operators listed on the site.

Data we collect

We collect no personal data directly. We do not have user accounts, contact forms, or payment processing.

If you accept cookies, we load Google Tag Manager (GTM), which enables Google Analytics. This collects anonymous usage data — pages visited, time on site, country — to help us understand how the directory is used. No names, email addresses, or identifiable information are collected.

We also use Hotjar, a behaviour analytics tool that records anonymised session replays and heatmaps (where visitors click and scroll). Hotjar does not collect your name or email address. It may record your approximate location and device type. Hotjar is only active after you accept cookies via the banner below.

Cookies

Google Analytics and Hotjar cookies are only set after you accept via the cookie banner. If you decline, only the consent preference is stored.

Withdrawing consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time by clearing your browser's localStorage for hidefinder.com. In most browsers: open DevTools → Application → Local Storage → hidefinder.com → delete the hf_cookie_consent key. The cookie banner will reappear on your next visit.

Third-party links

HideFinder links to external operator websites and booking platforms. We have no control over their privacy practices and are not responsible for their content. Please review each operator's privacy policy before making a booking.

Data sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share any data with third parties for marketing purposes. The only third-party services we use are Google Analytics and Hotjar (both only when consent is given), each governed by their own privacy policy.

HideFinder mobile app (iOS & Android)

This section covers the HideFinder mobile app. The app is built to collect as little personal data as possible.

No account required. The app has no sign-up, no login and no user accounts. We never ask for your name, email address or password.

Location.If you tap "Near me", the app asks permission to read your device's location and uses it only on your device to sort listings by distance. Your location is never transmitted to us or to any third party, and is never stored. You can deny or revoke this permission at any time in your device settings — the rest of the app continues to work.

Favourites and filters. Hides you save and the filters you choose are stored only on your device, not on our servers. Deleting the app deletes them.

No cookies, analytics or advertising in the app. Unlike the website, the mobile app uses no cookies, no Google Analytics or any other analytics service, and contains no advertising or third-party tracking.

Directory content. The app downloads our public directory of listings (names, locations, descriptions, photos and links) so you can browse it. This is public content and contains no personal information about you.

Technical data. As with any app that connects to the internet, requests to our backend may include standard technical information such as your IP address and device type. Our hosting provider (Supabase) processes this transiently to deliver content and for security. We do not use it to identify you.

Maps.Maps are provided by your device's map service (Apple Maps on iOS, Google Maps on Android) and are subject to that provider's privacy policy.

External links.Tapping "Book / Info", "Operator site" or "Open in Maps" opens a third-party website or app, which has its own privacy policy that we do not control.

Children. HideFinder is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

Changes. If we add features that change what the app processes — for example optional accounts, cross-device sync, push notifications or analytics — we will update this policy before those features collect any new data.