1. Who We Are
UmpireApp is developed and maintained by Chris Taaffe ("we", "us"). If you have any privacy-related questions, you can contact us at: hockeyumpireapp@gmail.com.
2. The Short Version
UmpireApp is designed with privacy in mind. All match data is stored on your device only. We do not share your personal information with third parties, with two exceptions that are detailed below: if you choose to use the optional Google Gemini AI feature (using your own API key), audio and text are sent to Google; and the app uses Sentry for anonymous crash reporting, which sends diagnostic data that is not linked to your identity.
3. Data We Store
All application data is stored locally on your device using SQLite. This includes:
- Match records (date, venue, teams, score, half times)
- Disciplinary card records and suspension timings
- Player assessments and post-match notes
- Upcoming match appointments and reminders
- App settings and preferences
None of this data is transmitted to, or accessible by, the developer. It stays on your device unless you choose to share it (for example by exporting a PDF report, emailing it, sharing a backup file or sending a result via WhatsApp). If Android device backup is switched on for your Google account, Android may include this app's data in that backup, which is stored in your own Google account (see §10).
4. Permissions We Use
| Permission | Why we need it | Is it required? |
|---|---|---|
| Location (Fine & Coarse) | Used only when you tap the GPS button to auto-fill the venue field. Your coordinates are passed to Android's built-in address lookup (geocoder), which may send them to Google to find the nearest address. Only the resulting venue name is stored, as part of the match record; the app does not log or store your coordinates and does not send them to the developer. | Optional – you can skip venue auto-fill and type the venue manually. |
| Microphone (Audio Recording) | Used for voice dictation in several features: disciplinary report narratives, post-match review notes, umpire notes, the AI coaching scenario input, and the microphone self-test in Settings. When you use a dictation feature, audio is recorded on your device and sent to Google's Gemini API using your own personal API key for transcription. Audio is not sent to our servers. See §7 for full details. | Optional – you can type all notes manually without using voice input. |
| Physical Activity (Step Counter) | Used to count steps and estimate distance walked during a match, displayed on the match summary screen. Step data is stored on-device as part of the match record only. No step or activity data is transmitted externally. | Optional – if your device does not support the step counter sensor, or permission is denied, the feature is silently skipped. |
| Notifications | Used to deliver match reminders (e.g. "Your match starts in 1 hour") and card suspension expiry alerts during a match. | Optional – you can disable notifications in Android settings. |
| Vibration | Used on the paired Wear OS watch to alert you when a card suspension has expired. | Required for watch card-expiry alerts. |
| Wake Lock | Used to keep the Wear OS watch screen active and the Data Layer connection alive during a match. | Required for watch functionality during a match. |
5. Wear OS Watch App
UmpireApp includes a companion app for Wear OS (Android smartwatches). The phone and watch communicate with each other using Google Play services' Wearable Data Layer, normally directly over Bluetooth. If the devices are not in Bluetooth range, Google Play services may relay this data between your own paired devices over Wi-Fi or its own encrypted sync. The developer never receives this data.
Data exchanged includes: match timer state, card events, and suspension timing. This data is never written to a remote server.
6. Crash Reporting (Sentry)
UmpireApp uses Sentry, a third-party crash reporting service, to automatically collect diagnostic information when the app crashes or encounters an unexpected error. This helps us identify and fix bugs.
Sentry collects:
- The type and location of the error within the app's code
- The device model, Android version, and app version
- A timestamp, a randomly-generated session ID and a random installation identifier created by Sentry (not linked to your name, email or phone number)
- A short trail of recent in-app actions leading up to the error ("breadcrumbs"), with free-text content removed
- Occasional performance timings for a small sample of sessions
Sentry does not collect your name, email address, match data, or any other information that identifies you personally. Crash reports are not linked to your identity. Your IP address is used by Sentry only to receive the report and is not stored with it. Sentry stores this data on its servers in the European Union (Frankfurt, Germany), operated by Functional Software, Inc. You can review Sentry's privacy practices at sentry.io/privacy.
7. Google Gemini AI (Optional Feature)
UmpireApp includes several optional features powered by Google Gemini. All Gemini features are entirely opt-in and require you to provide your own Google Gemini API key in the app's Settings screen.
Features that use the Gemini API include:
- AI Coaching — scenario text you type or dictate is sent to Gemini for analysis and a coaching response.
- Disciplinary report narrative dictation — audio you record is sent to Gemini for transcription into text.
- Post-match self-review notes — audio or text you enter is sent to Gemini.
- Umpire note dictation — audio you record during a match is sent to Gemini for transcription.
- Microphone self-test — a short test recording is sent to Gemini to confirm your API key and microphone are working.
All requests are made directly from your device to Google's Gemini API using your personal API key. We do not see, intercept, store, or process any of this data. Your use of the Gemini API is subject to Google's Privacy Policy. If you do not enter a Gemini API key, all Gemini features are disabled and no data is sent to Google.
8. Sharing and Exports You Start
The app can create PDF match and disciplinary reports, backup files and short result messages. These are only created and sent when you choose to, using your phone's own share sheet, email app or WhatsApp. Once shared, that copy is handled by the app or person you sent it to. Match records can contain names of officials and team contacts that you entered (for example captains' phone numbers used for WhatsApp sharing); please only enter details you are permitted to record.
9. Children's Privacy
UmpireApp is intended for sports officials aged 14 and over, including junior umpires. The app does not knowingly collect data from anyone under the age of 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided data through the app, please contact us and we will take steps to remove it.
10. Data Retention
All match data is held on your device for as long as the app is installed. You can delete individual records within the app at any time. Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data from the device. If Android device backup is on, a copy may remain in your Google account's device backup until that backup expires or you delete it in your Google account settings. Crash report data held by Sentry is automatically deleted after 90 days. To request earlier deletion of Sentry crash data, contact us at hockeyumpireapp@gmail.com and we will submit a deletion request on your behalf.
11. Your Rights (UK GDPR)
Because all match data is stored locally on your device, most standard data rights (access, portability, erasure) are exercised directly by you through the app itself or by uninstalling it. For crash report data held by Sentry, contact us and we will assist with any access or deletion requests.
If you have any questions or concerns about your data, please contact us at hockeyumpireapp@gmail.com.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy if the app's data practices change. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Contact
For any privacy questions or requests, contact: hockeyumpireapp@gmail.com