Who we are
Follow Me is made by Paul Harwood, trading as Harwood Systems, a sole trader in the United Kingdom. Paul is the "data controller" for the information the app uses. If you have any questions, or want to use any of your rights below, email hello@harwoodsystems.co.uk.
The short version
- Follow Me shares your location only with the people in your convoy, and only while you're in one.
- You don't need an account, an email address or a password. Your phone number is optional.
- We don't sell your information, show adverts or track you for marketing.
- Convoy information (locations, messages, routes) is deleted automatically 30 days after the convoy was started.
- Calls are not recorded.
What we use and why
| Information | Why | Who can see it |
|---|---|---|
| Your name, and your mobile number if you add it | So the others know who you are and can contact you | People in your convoy |
| Your live location, speed and direction | To show you on the map, give directions, and raise alerts like "falling behind" or "off route" | People in your convoy, and anyone you send a family link to |
| Your location while the screen is off | So the convoy can still see you when your phone is locked. It stops as soon as you leave the convoy | People in your convoy |
| The route you drove | For trip replay and stats after the journey | People in your convoy |
| Messages, stop suggestions and votes | To let the convoy talk and agree on stops | The people they're sent to |
| Fuel range (only if you enter it) | To warn you and the convoy before you run low | People in your convoy |
| Calls | In-app voice calls between vehicles. The audio passes through our calling provider live and is not recorded | The people on the call |
| A random app ID | Created automatically so the app knows which messages and locations are yours. It isn't linked to your name, email or phone | Only the app |
Saved places (home, work, favourites), your settings and your list of past trips are kept on your phone only.
Our legal basis is providing the service you ask for when you join a convoy. For location, we also ask for your permission through your phone, and you can withdraw it at any time in your phone's settings.
The family link
If you share a family live link, anyone with that link can see the convoy's vehicles, names and positions on a map until the trip ends. Only share it with people you trust. The page stops showing the convoy once nobody has updated their location for 12 hours.
Services that help run Follow Me
We use these companies to run parts of the app. They only use your information to provide their service to us.
| Company | What for | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase | Storing convoy information and the random app ID | Database in Belgium (EU) |
| Mapbox | Maps, address search, directions and live traffic. The Mapbox map sends location and usage data to Mapbox | USA and EU |
| LiveKit | In-app voice calls | EU |
| Netlify | The family link page and the service that lets you join calls | USA and EU |
| OpenStreetMap (Overpass) | Looking up speed cameras along your route. Only the area of the route is sent, not who you are | Germany |
| Expo | Delivering app updates to your phone | USA |
Where information goes outside the UK, these companies use the legal safeguards required by UK data protection law, such as the UK International Data Transfer Addendum or the UK–US data bridge.
How long we keep it
- Convoy information (locations, routes, messages, stops and call records) is deleted automatically 30 days after the convoy was started.
- When you leave a convoy, your location stops being shared straight away.
- Things kept on your phone stay there until you delete them or uninstall the app.
Your rights
You can ask for a copy of your information, ask us to correct or delete it, or object to how we use it. Email hello@harwoodsystems.co.uk and include your convoy code so we can find it. We'll reply within one month.
If you're unhappy with how we've handled your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Children
Follow Me is meant for people aged 13 and over. Younger children can travel in a convoy with a parent or guardian, using the parent's phone.
Safety
Please don't use your phone while driving. Set things up before you set off, or let a passenger do it using co-pilot mode. Speed camera warnings are only given in countries where they're allowed.
Changes
If we change this policy we'll update the date at the top, and tell you in the app if the change is important.