Cerqa is a location-sharing app that lets you share your live position with contacts and groups during navigation sessions. To do this reliably, Cerqa needs access to your device location while the app is running in the background.
Why Cerqa uses background location
Background location is used only when you have actively started a location sharing session. It is never collected silently, automatically, or without your knowledge.
When background location is active
Your location is accessed in the background only under these conditions:
- You have tapped "Start sharing" or initiated a location share through the app
- A sharing session is actively running (indicated by a persistent status bar notification on Android, or the blue location indicator on iOS)
- You have not ended the session
Background location access stops immediately when you end the session, when the session timer expires, or when you force-quit the app.
What we collect
During an active sharing session, Cerqa collects:
- Your GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude)
- Your approximate speed and heading (used to animate your position on the map)
- Timestamps associated with each location update
This data is transmitted in real time to the contacts or group members you have chosen to share with. It is not stored on our servers after your session ends.
Who sees your location
Your location is shared only with people you explicitly choose — either a specific contact or members of a group you belong to. Cerqa does not sell, license, or share your location data with advertisers or third parties.
How to stop background location access
You can stop background location access at any time by:
- Tapping "Stop Sharing" in the app or in the persistent notification
- Closing the app entirely
- Revoking location permission in your device settings:
- iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Cerqa → set to "Never" or "While Using"
- Android: Settings → Apps → Cerqa → Permissions → Location → set to "Only while using the app" or "Deny"
Platform-specific disclosures
iOS
Cerqa requests "Always On" location authorization to maintain a sharing session when you switch to another app or lock your screen. If you grant only "While Using the App," location sharing will pause when the app is not in the foreground.
Android
Cerqa runs a foreground service during active sharing sessions. A persistent notification is displayed at all times while your location is being shared. You can stop the session at any time from this notification.
Contact
If you have questions about how Cerqa uses your location, contact us at privacy@cerqa.app.