Data Privacy Policy

1. Data Controller

2. Website Data Collection (alexamin.de)

Server Log Files

When you visit this website, our hosting provider automatically collects and stores information in server log files, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referrer URL, date and time of access, and requested files. This data is used for technical administration and security purposes.

Cookies

This website uses minimal cookies for essential functionality, including theme preferences (dark/light mode). No tracking cookies or third-party analytics are used on this website.

YouTube Videos

Some blog posts contain embedded YouTube videos. These are loaded only after you explicitly click to play, using YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode (youtube-nocookie.com). No data is transmitted to Google/YouTube until you choose to play a video. Once loaded, YouTube may set cookies and collect data according to Google's Privacy Policy.

TheBookingsApp Widget

This website may optionally load a booking widget provided by TheBookingsApp. This widget is only loaded when explicitly activated via a URL parameter and is not loaded during regular browsing. When active, the widget may collect data necessary for booking functionality according to TheBookingsApp's privacy policy.

Self-Hosted Fonts

All fonts used on this website are self-hosted. No requests are made to external font services such as Google Fonts.

Slide Deck Downloads

When you download a slide deck (PDF) from this website, a single download event is recorded in Google Firebase Firestore (stored in the EU). By default this event contains only non-identifying information: which deck was downloaded, the time, the referring website's domain, and your browser's language. No IP address, no cookies, and no other device storage are used — the record is written directly from your browser and your IP is never part of it. The legal basis is our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) in understanding which talks are useful.

You may optionally enter a LinkedIn address in the field next to the download, which is never required to download. If you do, it is stored together with the download so we may connect with you; entering it is voluntary and constitutes your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). It is kept until you ask us to delete it (alex@alexamin.de).

3. Mobile App Data Collection (Railmap for OpenRailwayMap)

Google Analytics for Firebase

The Railmap app uses Google Analytics for Firebase to understand how users interact with the app. This includes anonymized usage statistics, screen views, and app performance metrics. No personally identifiable information is collected through Analytics.

Firebase Crashlytics

To improve app stability and user experience, the app uses Firebase Crashlytics to collect crash reports and performance data. This helps identify and fix bugs quickly. Crashlytics may collect device information, crash stack traces, and app state at the time of crashes, but no personal data is included.

Location Data

The app may request location permissions to show your position on the railway map. Location data is only used locally on your device and is not transmitted to our servers or third parties.

Map Data

The app displays railway map data from OpenRailwayMap on top of Google Maps. Using the map means map requests are processed by Google according to their privacy policy. The railway layers themselves are served from our own tile infrastructure.

Place Search

When you search for a place, the search term is sent to our own backend, which runs on Google Cloud Run in the European Union. Our backend forwards only the search term to a third-party geocoding service to look up matching places. Your IP address is not passed on, and no identifier links the search term to you or your device. Search terms are not logged or stored on our servers.

Advertising

The app is free and financed by ads shown through Google AdMob. On first launch you are asked for your advertising consent through Google's consent management platform, in line with GDPR requirements. You can withdraw or change that consent at any time from the app settings. Depending on your choice, AdMob may process device and usage data to serve personalised or non-personalised ads; see Google's policy for details. A one-off in-app purchase removes ads.

Anonymous Sign-In

The app signs in to Firebase Authentication anonymously so it can talk to our backend. This creates a random identifier for your app installation. No account is created, and we never collect your name, email address, or any other identifying information.

Saved Places

Places you save in the app, including the names and notes you give them, are stored only on your device. They are not transmitted to our servers.

4. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. Data is only shared with service providers as described above, namely Google (Maps, Firebase, AdMob) and a third-party geocoding service for place search, to provide the requested services.

5. Data Retention

Analytics and crash data is retained according to Google's default retention policies (typically 26 months for Analytics data). Server logs are deleted after 30 days.

6. Your Rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, data portability, and to object to processing of your personal data. To exercise these rights, please contact us at alex@alexamin.de.

7. Opt-Out Options

Mobile App

You can opt out of Analytics data collection in the app settings or through your device's ad tracking settings. Crashlytics can be disabled by contacting us directly.

8. Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or your data, please contact us at:

Email: alex@alexamin.de

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.

Last updated: August 18, 2026