ChiPulse Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 14, 2026
ChiPulse (“we”, “the app”) is an independent mobile application (com.chipulse.app). This policy explains what data is involved when you use the app.
Not an official city app
ChiPulse is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the City of Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Divvy, or the National Weather Service. CTA Train Tracker and Bus Tracker arrivals shown in the app are estimates only and may be delayed or inaccurate.
What we collect
- Approximate location (when you allow it) so we can show trains, buses, food inspections, 311, and related nearby data. Location is sent to our Pulse API only to answer that request.
- If you deny location, you can still preview a downtown sample — that preview is not your real location.
What we do not collect
- Accounts, name, or email from you
- Contacts, photos, or health data
- App Tracking Transparency / IDFA for cross-app tracking
- We do not sell personal data
Advertising
ChiPulse may show a single non-personalized banner ad on the Transit screen via Google AdMob. We request non-personalized ads and do not pass your location to the ad SDK for targeting. Ads are not shown over crime or safety content, and location access is never gated behind ads.
When an ad loads, Google may receive device and advertising-related technical data (for example IP address, device type, and ad interaction signals) under Google’s policies. That processing is controlled by Google, not by ChiPulse.
Data sources
ChiPulse republishes publicly available government and transit information. Crime and 311 counts are raw open data — not safety ratings. Original sources:
- City of Chicago — https://www.chicago.gov
- Chicago Data Portal — https://data.cityofchicago.org
- Chicago 311 — https://311.chicago.gov
- CTA (official) — https://www.transitchicago.com
- CTA Train Tracker — https://www.transitchicago.com/traintracker/
- CTA Bus Tracker — https://www.ctabustracker.com
- National Weather Service — https://www.weather.gov
- Divvy — https://divvybikes.com
Contact
Questions about this app or data use: hello@raltechllc.net