Privacy Policy

WNY Incident Alerts (“WNYIA”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates the website wnyincidentalerts.com and the WNYIA Dispatch mobile application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you use our services.

WNYIA is a volunteer-run public safety alerting platform serving Western New York and surrounding areas.

1. Information We Collect

a. Information You Provide

• Name or dispatcher identifier
• Email address
• Login credentials (login ID)
• (If dispatching) Incident details submitted through the app or website
• (If dispatching) Optional responding agency or department information

b. Automatically Collected Information

• Device type and operating system
• IP address (for security and abuse prevention)
• Basic usage and diagnostic data
• Push notification tokens used to deliver alerts

c. Location Information

• Location data is used only to associate incidents with a location
• We do not track real-time user location
• Location is provided by the user or derived from incident addresses

2. Push Notifications

The WNYIA Dispatch app uses push notifications to deliver incident alerts and chat messages. Push notification tokens are stored securely and are used only for alert delivery. You may disable notifications at any time through your device settings.

3. How We Use Information

• Deliver incident alerts and notifications
• Operate dispatcher, alerting, and chat features
• Improve system reliability and performance
• Maintain security and prevent abuse
• Comply with legal obligations when required

We do not sell or rent personal information.

4. Sharing of Information

Information may be shared only when necessary:

• With trusted service providers (email, push notification services)
• To comply with law enforcement or legal requirements
• To protect the safety of users or the public

Incident information may be publicly visible depending on the alert type and platform used.

5. SMS & Third-Party Services

Some alerts may be delivered through third-party services such as email providers, SMS gateways, or automation platforms. These services receive only the minimum information required to deliver alerts and are governed by their own privacy policies.

6. Data Retention

• Incident and alert records are retained for operational and historical purposes
• User and dispatcher data is retained only as long as necessary
• You may request account removal by contacting us

7. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect information, including secure servers, access controls, and encrypted connections where applicable. No system is completely secure, but we actively work to protect your data.

8. Children’s Privacy

WNYIA services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Your Choices

• Disable push notifications in your device settings
• Request correction or deletion of your data
• Contact us with privacy questions or concerns

10. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact:

WNY Incident Alerts
Email: info@wnyincidentalerts.com
Website: https://wnyincidentalerts.com