Better Alerts (BB) is a community safety alert application for Barbados. This policy explains what information the app collects, how it is used, and the choices available to you.
No Account Required
You do not need to create an account or provide your name to file a report. The app uses anonymous authentication — you are not personally identified when submitting an alert.
Information We Collect
- Location data. Required to submit a report, so it can be placed on the map and matched to a parish or area. Precise location is not shown publicly to every viewer — general area, category, and time are visible to other users; you are never personally identified.
- Device App ID. A randomly generated identifier, not tied to your name or contacts, used to distinguish devices for basic app functionality and diagnostics.
- Report content. Whatever you choose to submit — category, description, and any optional details you provide.
SOS / Help Me
If you use SOS or Help Me, the app may — with your consent, at the time you use the feature — share information with your chosen contacts or with emergency services, as part of how that feature works. This sharing only happens when you actively use SOS or Help Me; it does not happen automatically elsewhere in the app.
What Other Users Can See
An alert's category, general location, and time are visible to other users of the app. You are never identified by name, phone number, or any other personal identifier.
Third-Party Services
The app relies on the following services to operate:
- Firebase (Google). Backend data storage, authentication, and core app infrastructure.
- Mapbox. Map rendering and location display.
Administrator Access
A small number of designated administrators can review and moderate submitted reports. Administrator accounts are separate from anonymous reporter accounts and require a distinct, credentialed sign-in — the anonymity described above applies to reporters, not to administrators.
Data Retention
Reports are automatically archived after 24 hours and are not displayed in the active feed beyond that window.
Your Choices
You can use the app's core reporting features without providing any personally identifying information. Sharing your location for SOS/Help Me requires your active consent at the time of use, each time you use the feature.
Changes to This Policy
This policy may be updated as the app evolves. Material changes will be reflected here with an updated date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy or how your information is handled can be directed to: betteralerts@yahoo.com.