Privacy Policy

Effective date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Instant Weather Inc. ("Instant Weather," "we," "our," or "us") provides weather forecasts, alerts, text message alerts, radar, maps, articles, videos, mobile apps, websites, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, when we share it, and the choices available to you.

By using our Services, you acknowledge that your information may be collected, used, and disclosed as described in this Privacy Policy.

Scope of this Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through:

• our websites

• our mobile applications

• email newsletters and alerts

• text message alert subscriptions

• customer support communications

• contests, promotions, and surveys

• storm reports, weather reports, photo submissions, and video submissions

• account registration and login tools

• other online services that link to this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites, apps, or services that we do not own or control.

Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways.

A. Information you provide to us

Depending on how you use the Services, you may provide us with:

• your name

• email address

• mobile phone number

• account login information

• saved locations, city, or postal code

• weather alert preferences

• text message alert subscription preferences

• communications you send to us

• storm reports, photos, videos, comments, or other reports you submit

• survey responses

• subscription or purchase details

• billing-related records, such as transaction status, renewal status, or subscription status

If you subscribe to our SMS alert services, we collect the mobile phone number you provide in order to deliver those alerts and manage your subscription.

B. Login and authentication services

Some parts of our Services may allow login or account access using third-party tools. For example, we may use Meta Account Kit SDK or similar login technologies to help authenticate users for certain services, including SMS alert access or account-related features.

When you use those tools, we may receive information needed to authenticate or manage your access, such as your phone number, login status, or related account identifiers, depending on the service and your choices.

C. Payments and subscriptions

Payments and subscriptions may be processed through third-party providers, including Stripe, PayPal, the Google Play Store, and the Apple App Store.

Instant Weather does not store any payment card numbers or details on its own systems.

D. Information collected automatically

When you use the Services, we may automatically collect information such as:

• IP address

• browser type and version

• device type

• operating system

• app version

• anonymous device identifiers

• language settings

• pages, screens, and features viewed

• actions taken within the Services

• session duration and navigation activity

• crash logs, diagnostics, and performance data

• referral information

• approximate location based on IP address, where applicable
  

E. Location information

Because weather services depend on location, we may collect location information in several ways, including:

• precise location from your device, if you grant permission through your device, browser, app, or webapp settings

• approximate location based on IP address

• manually entered locations

• saved locations you choose to follow

You can disable precise location access at any time through your device or browser settings. If you do, some features may be less accurate or may require manual location entry.

F. Weather reports and submitted report data

If you submit a severe weather report, hail report, tornado report, wind report, flooding report, damage report, photo, video, or other weather-related submission through our Services, we may collect information associated with that submission, including:

• the report details

• the time of submission

• approximate or precise location

• IP address

• anonymous device identifiers

• your contact information, if provided

We use IP addresses and anonymous device identifiers primarily to help detect spam, abuse, and fraudulent reporting. We do not share IP addresses with third parties.

For most severe weather reports, we reduce location precision to approximately 1 kilometre before broader use or sharing. For damage reports, we may retain or share location information at a finer resolution, generally limited to about 100 metres, where needed to support verification, research, or follow-up.

We may share submitted weather reports and related report details with the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL), including for use in programs such as the Northern Tornadoes Project and Northern Hail Project, for research, verification, documentation, and related scientific or public information purposes.

We may also display or republish submitted weather reports, photos, videos, or related information through our Services, including our website, apps, and social media channels.

In some cases, we may also contact you directly to confirm or clarify submitted report information.

G. Cookies and similar technologies

We may use cookies, pixels, SDKs, local storage, and similar technologies to:

• operate and maintain the Services

• remember your settings and preferences

• understand how the Services are used

• improve performance and user experience

• measure the effectiveness of content, features, or advertising

• support analytics and diagnostics

• manage login and authentication features

You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings or device settings.

H. Information from third parties

We may receive information from third parties that support the Services, such as:

• analytics providers

• advertising or measurement partners

• payment processors

• app stores

• login and authentication providers

• fraud prevention and security providers

• social media platforms, if you interact with us there

• communication service providers that help us deliver alerts or notifications

How We Use Information

We may use personal information to:

• provide weather forecasts, alerts, radar, maps, and related content

• personalize the Services based on your location and preferences

• create and manage user accounts

• authenticate users and manage login access

• process subscriptions and maintain billing records

• send service messages, account notices, and requested weather alerts

• send text message alerts to users who subscribe to that service

• respond to support requests and feedback

• receive, review, verify, and manage submitted weather reports and media

• monitor and improve the performance, reliability, and security of the Services

• detect fraud, misuse, bugs, spam, and technical issues

• enforce our terms, policies, and legal rights

• comply with legal or regulatory requirements

• send marketing communications where permitted and in accordance with your preferences

• support analytics, business operations, and advertising where applicable
  

Consent and Your Choices

Where required by applicable law, we seek consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information.

Depending on the circumstance, consent may be express or implied. For example:

• precise device location typically requires your permission through your device, browser, app, or webapp settings

• text message alerts require you to provide your mobile number and subscribe to that service

• certain login tools may require you to provide information needed for authentication

• marketing communications may require your consent, and you can unsubscribe at any time

• optional cookies or similar tools may be managed through available settings

You may withdraw consent in some cases, subject to legal or operational limits. Withdrawing consent may affect the availability or functionality of certain features.

Advertising

Instant Weather may display advertising on certain parts of its Services. On our website, we may use advertising partners such as Mediavine. In our mobile apps, we may use Google advertising services.

These advertising providers may use cookies, mobile identifiers, pixels, SDKs, or similar technologies to measure ad performance, limit repetitive ads, detect fraud, and support advertising delivery and reporting. Information collected through these technologies is governed by the privacy practices of the relevant provider.

Analytics and Diagnostics

We may use analytics and diagnostics tools to understand how the Services are used, improve performance, troubleshoot problems, and measure engagement. These tools may include Google Firebase for our mobile apps and analytics tools made available through our website platform, including Squarespace.

No Sale of Personally Identifiable Information

Instant Weather does not sell personally identifiable information to third-party data brokers, data collectors, or similar third parties.

We may share limited information with service providers and partners as described in this Privacy Policy where needed to operate the Services, process subscriptions, deliver communications, support advertising or analytics, prevent fraud, or support weather research and verification programs.

When We Share Information

We may share personal information in the following circumstances:

A. Service providers

We may share information with vendors and service providers that help us operate the Services, such as providers of:

• hosting and cloud infrastructure

• analytics

• customer support tools

• email delivery and notifications

• text message delivery services

• login and authentication services

• payment processing

• advertising and measurement services

• fraud prevention and security services

These providers are expected to handle information only for authorized purposes.

B. Research and verification partners

We may share submitted weather reports and related report information with the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL), including for use in programs such as the Northern Tornadoes Project and Northern Hail Project, for research, verification, documentation, and related program purposes.

C. Public display of submitted content

If you submit weather reports, photos, videos, or similar materials to us, we may display, publish, repost, or otherwise share that content and related report details through our Services, including on our website, apps, and social media channels, in connection with weather coverage, verification, public awareness, or community reporting.

D. Legal and safety reasons

We may disclose information where reasonably necessary to:

• comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or lawful request

• protect our rights, property, or safety

• protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or others

• investigate fraud, abuse, security issues, or violations of our policies

E. With your direction or participation

We may share information where you direct us to do so, or where sharing is a clear part of the feature or service you choose to use.

User Submissions

If you submit storm reports, weather observations, photos, videos, comments, or similar content to us, we may collect that content along with related details such as the time submitted, the approximate or precise location associated with the submission, and contact information.

Please only submit content that you own or have the right to share.

By submitting content to us, you acknowledge that it may be reviewed, verified, shared with research partners, and displayed or reposted through our Services and social media channels in connection with our weather coverage and related activities.

Additional terms may apply to specific contests, campaigns, licensing arrangements, or submission programs.

Retention

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to:

• provide and maintain the Services

• manage accounts and subscriptions

• review and verify reports and submissions

• comply with legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements

• resolve disputes

• enforce agreements

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected.

Safeguards

We use every reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguard designed to protect personal information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification.

However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Processing

Some service providers or partners may process or store information outside your province or outside Canada. When that occurs, information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed or stored.

Access and Corrections, and Deletion Requests

Subject to applicable law, you may request access to personal information we hold about you, ask that inaccurate information be corrected, or request deletion of personal information we no longer need for legal, operational, or legitimate business purposes.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

If you would like to request deletion of personal information, email us at help@instantweather.ca or use our Contact Form. Subject to applicable law, we will review your request and delete personal information we are able to delete, then follow up with you.

Marketing Communications and Alert Messages

If you sign up for newsletters, updates, promotional emails, text message alerts, or similar communications, you may unsubscribe or opt out at any time using the unsubscribe method provided in the message or by contacting us.

For text message alerts, you may also be able to opt out by replying with the stop instruction provided in the message, where available.

We may still send service-related or transactional communications where necessary.

Children

Our Services are intended for a general audience and are not primarily directed to young children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children where prohibited by applicable law. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us improperly, please contact us.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the updated version and revise the effective date.

Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated Privacy Policy, to the extent permitted by law.

Contact Us

If you have questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

Privacy Contact
Adam Skinner
Instant Weather Inc.
30 Quarry Ridge Road
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
L4M 7G1
Email: help@instantweather.ca