Clear, simple terms.

Privacy & Terms

Last updated: January 2026

Important notice. By accessing or using ResearchWeather.com™ (the “Service”), you agree that any and all use is governed by this Privacy & Terms notice (this “Notice”). If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

Scope & international use

This Notice is intended as a general, international privacy and terms statement. Laws and requirements vary by region. Where a specific regional notice, addendum, or consent flow is required, we will address it on a case‑by‑case basis as applicable.

• You are responsible for using the Service only where and how it is permitted under your local rules (laws, regulations, and other obligations).
• If your local rules restrict or prohibit the Service, do not use it. Continuing to use the Service indicates your decision to proceed under your own responsibility.
• We may limit, suspend, or refuse service in any region or circumstance where required or appropriate.

Privacy policy

Information we process

We collect and process the minimum information needed to operate the Service and communicate with you, which may include:

• Contact details you submit (name, email, organization, message content).
• Usage and device data (basic logs and technical identifiers needed for security, abuse prevention, and reliability).
• Cookies and local storage necessary for core functionality, preferences (e.g., accessibility settings), and security.
• Optional content you choose to upload or share (for example, images or other media submitted through Service features).

How we use information

• Provide, operate, maintain, and support the Service.
• Secure the Service (including fraud prevention, abuse prevention, and safety reviews).
• Improve and develop features, functionality, and user experience.
• Perform analytics and measurement to understand how the Service is used.
• Respond to your requests, questions, and support needs.
• Route contact form messages to the appropriate inbox.
• Comply with legal obligations and protect the rights, safety, and integrity of the Service and its users.

User‑directed submissions & improvement use

Some features allow you to actively submit content (for example, publishing a capture, sending feedback, or sharing a message). We may use submitted content and related metadata to provide and improve the Service, enforce policies, and develop new capabilities. We may also generate aggregated or de‑identified data from submissions and Service usage and use it for any lawful purpose. Your privacy choices still apply. Private captures remain private unless you choose to publish or share them through the Service.

Legal bases

Depending on your location and the context, we rely on one or more of the following: your consent (where required), performance of a contract (providing the Service you request), legitimate interests (operating and securing the Service), and compliance with legal obligations.

Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with trusted service providers that help operate the Service (for example, hosting, email delivery, and security) and with authorities or advisers when required to comply with law or protect safety and integrity.

Retention

We retain personal information and other data only for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the Service, maintain security and abuse‑prevention controls, comply with lawful requests, and resolve disputes or support issues. Retention periods vary by context and may be extended where needed for security, reliability, and legal compliance.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your choices & rights

Your rights depend on your jurisdiction and may include access, correction, deletion, portability, restriction, or objection. We will evaluate and process verified requests as required by applicable law. Because requirements differ globally, requests are handled case‑by‑case and may require additional verification.

International transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for cross‑border transfers.

Children

The Service is not intended for unsupervised use by minors. Users under 18 may use the Service only with parent or legal guardian permission and active supervision. If you are 18 or older, you may use the Service without supervision. Parents and guardians are responsible for a minor’s use of the Service, including submissions, publishing decisions, and safety practices.

Terms of service

Acceptable use

• Do not point cameras at people, private spaces, or locations where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy without permission. Respect privacy and applicable laws.
• Do not misuse the Service, attempt to interfere with its operation, or bypass security controls.
• Do not use the Service for unlawful, harmful, deceptive, or abusive purposes.
• Do not submit content you do not have the right to share.
• Do not use the Service while driving, cycling, operating machinery, or performing any activity that requires your full attention.
• Do not access, record, or publish content if doing so would place you or others at risk. Safety is always more important than a capture.

User content, submissions, and permissions

You represent that you have the rights needed to submit any content you provide. When you submit content through the Service, you grant ResearchWeather.com™ a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to host, store, reproduce, process, transmit, display, and otherwise use that content and related metadata as needed to provide, secure, maintain, improve, and develop the Service, to enforce our policies, and to carry out the actions you request (such as routing messages or publishing/sharing where offered). We may also create aggregated or de‑identified data derived from Service usage (including submissions) and use it for any lawful purpose.

Service outputs & permitted use

Unless we explicitly agree in writing, the Service and any outputs, compilations, or media presented or produced through the Service are provided for personal, educational, and research use only. You may not sell, sublicense, commercially exploit, use in commercial applications, remove notices, or materially modify Service outputs without prior written approval. To the maximum extent permitted by law, all Service-generated outputs and compiled presentations remain the property of ResearchWeather.com™ (or its licensors).

Subscriptions, billing, and cancellation

If paid plans are offered, payments are processed by a third‑party payment processor (the “Processor”). We do not store full payment card details. The Processor may collect and process billing information under its own terms and privacy practices. You can cancel at any time through the Processor’s billing controls; cancellation stops future renewals and, unless otherwise stated, access continues until the end of the current billing period. Billing disputes, refunds (if offered), taxes, and chargebacks are governed by the Processor’s policies and any plan terms shown at checkout.

Your responsibility for local rules

You are solely responsible for your decisions, actions, and compliance with all laws, rules, and obligations applicable to you, including any ethical, safety, or regulatory requirements in your jurisdiction. These responsibilities are independent and non‑transferable. If you are unsure whether use of the Service is permitted where you live or operate, do not use it. Continuing to use the Service indicates your decision to proceed under your own responsibility. We cannot reasonably monitor or enforce every jurisdiction’s requirements worldwide, and we may restrict or refuse access where appropriate.

Storm and lightning safety

Safety first. Lightning and severe weather are inherently dangerous and unpredictable. The Service is intended to be used only from a safe, sheltered location (for example, indoors). Do not place yourself or anyone else at risk to record, upload, share, or publish content.

• Safe shelter only. Record only when you can remain fully protected in a safe zone. If you cannot stay safe, do not record.
• Respect privacy. Do not aim cameras at people or private spaces without permission.
• No driving or equipment use. Do not use the Service while driving, cycling, boating, flying, or operating machinery or vehicles.
• Minors. Users under 18 may participate only with a parent or legal guardian’s permission and active supervision. Parents/guardians are responsible for a minor’s use. If you are 18 or older, you may participate independently.
• Remote setups. If you want outdoor views, use stationary cameras or equipment installed in advance, well before storms approach, and monitor from safe shelter.
• Follow official guidance. Rely on trusted local alerts and emergency instructions for safety decisions. The Service is not an emergency, warning, or life‑safety system.

Assumption of risk. You understand that storms and lightning can cause serious injury, death, and property damage. “Assumption of risk” means you accept responsibility for these risks. You agree that you assume all risks arising from your decisions and activities related to storm observation, travel, outdoor activity, and equipment setup, to the fullest extent permitted by law. For good‑faith safety guidance, see Storm Safety.

Service provided “as is”

The Service is provided on an “as‑is” and “as‑available” basis. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim warranties of any kind. We do not promise that the Service will be uninterrupted, error‑free, or suitable for any specific purpose.

Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ResearchWeather.com™ (and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and licensors) will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, revenue, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to your access to or use of (or inability to access or use) the Service.

Without limiting the foregoing, we are not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any personal injury, death, property damage, or other harm arising from storms, lightning, severe weather, travel, field activity, equipment installation, or any other actions you take in connection with the Service. You are solely responsible for using the Service from a safe, sheltered location and for complying with applicable laws and safety guidance. The Service is not an emergency or life‑safety system and must not be relied on for safety decisions.

In any event, our total liability for all claims relating to the Service will not exceed the amount you paid us for the Service in the twelve (12) months before the event giving rise to the claim (or US$100 if you have not paid anything), except where prohibited by law. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations of liability, so some of the above may not apply to you; in such cases, our liability is limited to the minimum amount required by applicable law.

Changes

We may update this Notice from time to time. Changes are effective when posted. Your continued use after an update indicates acceptance of the updated Notice.

Contact

Use the Contact page for privacy requests or general questions. Include enough detail for us to understand your request; we may ask for verification where appropriate.

Full Combined Privacy, Terms, Accessibility, Billing, Research, And Software Notice

This section reproduces the full one‑page combined notice for convenience.

ResearchWeather.com™ Privacy, Terms, Accessibility, Billing, Research, and Software Notices
Last updated: [Month Year]

Important notice. By accessing, downloading, creating an account for, purchasing through, or using ResearchWeather.com™, any related website, downloadable application, software, membership feature, hosted service, upload workflow, or support channel, you agree that your use is governed by this combined Privacy, Terms, Accessibility, Billing, Research, and Software Notice, together with any checkout terms, plan disclosures, regional notices, or feature specific disclosures presented to you. If you do not agree, do not access or use the Service.

This Notice is written to be broad, practical, and internationally usable. It is intended to explain how the Service works, what information we process, what rules apply, what rights and choices may be available, and what responsibilities remain with you. It is not legal advice to you. Laws vary by location, and specific regional rights, disclosures, and mandatory protections may supplement this Notice where applicable.

1. Who we are

ResearchWeather.com™ is operated from the United States. The Service may be hosted, stored, processed, backed up, secured, or supported in the United States, Finland, and other countries where we or our service providers operate.

2. Scope and international use

Because the Service is available online, people may access it from many regions. Different laws may apply depending on where you are located, where data is processed, what features you use, and how the Service is offered in your region.

This Notice is intended as a general privacy, terms, accessibility, billing, research, and software notice for the Service. Where additional disclosures, rights notices, consent flows, regional addenda, transfer safeguards, or mandatory local terms are required, those supplemental terms apply in addition to this Notice.

You are responsible for using the Service only where and how it is permitted for you under applicable laws, regulations, permissions, and obligations. We may limit, suspend, refuse, or modify access, features, memberships, payment availability, downloads, or account services where we believe it is necessary, appropriate, or required.

If you access or use the Service from outside the United States, you understand that your information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in the United States, Finland, or other countries that may have laws different from those in your home jurisdiction.

3. Privacy first approach

Our general approach is minimal by design. We aim to collect only what we reasonably need to operate, secure, improve, and support the Service.

We do not sell personal data in the ordinary meaning of that phrase. Where laws use broader definitions of sale, sharing, or similar terms, any required regional rights and disclosures apply.

4. Information we process

We may collect and process information such as:

Account details
Email address, username, password or authentication credentials, sign in provider details, membership status, account preferences, and account settings.

Contact and support details
Name, organization, email address, message content, attachments, support history, and related communications you send to us.

Usage and technical data
IP address, device type, browser type, operating system, app version, timestamps, crash data, diagnostics, security logs, feature usage, and similar technical information needed for security, fraud prevention, reliability, debugging, analytics, or service improvement.

Billing and membership data
Plan type, subscription status, billing dates, payment status, transaction identifiers, invoices, tax related data, partial billing metadata, and processor generated records. We do not store full payment card numbers on our own systems.

Cookies and local storage
Cookies, browser storage, app storage, accessibility preferences, session identifiers, security tokens, and similar technologies used for authentication, account continuity, feature settings, abuse prevention, accessibility options, and core functionality.

User content and uploads
Images, videos, captures, submissions, reports, messages, research contributions, metadata, notes, and other content you choose to upload, save, submit, share, publish, or otherwise provide through the Service.

Locally stored device content
If you use downloadable software or the app, the Service may store files, settings, caches, downloads, logs, captures, temporary processing files, or related materials on your own device or computer to provide functionality.

5. How we use information

We may use information to:

provide, operate, maintain, update, and support the Service
create and manage accounts
authenticate users and secure sessions
process memberships and billing
detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to fraud, abuse, misuse, technical problems, and security incidents
provide customer support and respond to questions or rights requests
improve usability, reliability, accessibility, and performance
develop and test new features
measure usage and understand how the Service is used
enforce policies and acceptable use rules
comply with legal obligations
protect our rights, systems, users, service providers, and the public
operate research workflows and related submissions where those features are offered

6. Legal bases where applicable

Depending on your location and the context, we may rely on one or more of the following legal bases where required by law:

your consent
performance of a contract
legitimate interests in operating, securing, and improving the Service
compliance with legal obligations
protection of vital interests
other bases recognized by applicable law

7. Cookies, browser storage, app storage, and device permissions

We use cookies, browser storage, app storage, and similar technologies for core functionality, login continuity, security, accessibility settings, feature preferences, abuse prevention, analytics where allowed, and related service operations.

We may also request device permissions, such as access to files, camera, storage, notifications, or similar device capabilities, where needed for app features you choose to use. You can often manage device permissions through your operating system settings, though disabling them may limit functionality.

Content stored locally on your device, browser, or app environment may remain there until you remove it through your own device, browser, or app controls.

8. Account creation, account deletion, and data deletion

If the Service allows account creation, you may request deletion of your account, subject to verification and lawful exceptions.

Deleting an account does not necessarily mean that every related record is erased immediately or absolutely. We may retain limited data where reasonably necessary or legally required for security logging, fraud and abuse prevention, billing records, tax and accounting records, legal compliance, backup integrity, dispute resolution, enforcement of our terms, and protection of the Service and its users.

We may also retain aggregated, de identified, or previously separated research datasets, analytics, and internal integrity records where those materials no longer reasonably identify you and where retention is allowed by law.

Deleting your account on our systems does not automatically erase files, caches, local databases, saved captures, downloaded materials, or other content stored locally on hardware or software you control.

9. Research submissions, databases, and downstream use

Some features may allow you to submit content to research workflows, shared datasets, or review processes.

When you submit content to the Service, including for research or community workflows, you represent that you have the rights, permissions, and authority needed to submit it.

By submitting content, you grant ResearchWeather.com™ a worldwide, non exclusive, royalty free license to host, store, reproduce, process, analyze, transform, transmit, display, distribute where you direct or where a feature requires, moderate, secure, maintain, improve, and develop the Service and related research, moderation, integrity, and support workflows.

Where allowed by law, we may also create and use aggregated, de identified, anonymized where legally recognized, statistical, research, benchmarking, or model improvement datasets derived from Service usage or submissions for lawful purposes.

If content or related metadata has already been incorporated into de identified datasets, aggregate analyses, internal research outputs, integrity records, or other materials that no longer reasonably identify you, deletion of your account may not remove those materials.

Private content remains private unless you choose to submit, publish, share, or otherwise make it available through a Service feature, subject to moderation, safety, legal, and policy requirements.

10. Sharing and disclosures

We may share information with service providers that help us host, secure, analyze, maintain, support, process payments for, or otherwise operate the Service, and with identity, communications, fraud, abuse, and security providers. We may also disclose information to professional advisers, authorities, regulators, courts, law enforcement, or transaction counterparties where required, appropriate, or reasonably necessary under applicable law.

11. Memberships, subscriptions, billing, and Stripe

If paid memberships, subscriptions, or premium features are offered, billing is processed by a third party payment processor, currently Stripe. We do not store full payment card numbers on our own systems.

Membership terms, pricing, billing intervals, taxes, renewals, cancellation timing, plan limits, feature access, and any refund rules shown at checkout or in plan specific terms are incorporated into this Notice by reference.

Unless otherwise stated at checkout or in plan terms, cancellation stops future renewals, and paid access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Billing disputes, chargebacks, processor failures, taxes, currency conversion, payment availability, and related billing issues are governed by the applicable checkout terms, Stripe’s payment flow, and any mandatory law that applies.

Paid memberships or other paid features may only be available in countries or regions supported by our payment processor. Availability of payment features, currencies, taxes, and related billing services may vary.

12. Accessibility statement

We aim to make ResearchWeather.com™ and related app experiences more accessible and usable for people with disabilities.

We work to improve compatibility with assistive technologies, keyboard navigation, readability, color contrast, scalable text, accessible forms, understandable layouts, and related accessibility needs. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, not a one time state.

If you encounter an accessibility barrier, need help using the Service, need content in a different format, or want to report an issue, contact us using the Contact page or other designated support method.

13. Children and supervised use

The Service is not intended for unsupervised use by minors.

Users under 18 may use the Service only with parent or legal guardian permission and active supervision. Parents and guardians are responsible for a minor’s use of the Service, including submissions, publishing choices, safety practices, device use, and billing activity.

14. Acceptable use and safety

You must not use the Service unlawfully, attempt to interfere with security or operation, submit content you do not have the right to share, or use the Service in a deceptive, abusive, harmful, or fraudulent way.

If the Service involves weather observation, capture tools, field activity, or similar features, safety comes first. Do not place yourself or anyone else at risk to capture, upload, share, or publish content. The Service is not an emergency, warning, dispatch, or life safety system.

15. Local setup, device behavior, and software downloads

If you download and use app or software components, they may save files locally, cache data locally, create logs or temporary processing files, interact with local hardware or operating system features, perform user selected actions on the device, and retain user selected settings and accessibility preferences.

You are responsible for your own device, operating system, local environment, permissions, backups, and the safe use of any downloaded tools.

16. Intellectual property and service outputs

Unless we explicitly agree otherwise in writing, the Service, site design, software, compilation, branding, and non user generated Service materials remain the property of ResearchWeather.com™ or its licensors.

You keep whatever rights you already have in content you submit, subject to the licenses you grant under this Notice.

17. Open source software and third party notices

The Service may include or depend on open source software and third party components. Those components are provided under their own licenses, notices, and conditions.

Where required, we will provide or make available the applicable open source notices, attribution texts, copyright notices, and license information.

If we distribute software using FFmpeg or similar tools, the applicable license terms depend on how those components are built, linked, or bundled. We may provide those notices in the app, installer, about screen, documentation, or website.

18. Retention

We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Notice, including service operation, account administration, research workflows, security, abuse prevention, billing, tax and accounting, legal compliance, support, dispute resolution, and integrity protection.

19. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information.

No method of storage, transmission, or processing is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your device, credentials, local environment, and account access methods secure.

20. Rights requests and support

Depending on where you are located, you may have rights relating to access, correction, deletion, portability, objection, restriction, appeal, withdrawal of consent, or similar matters.

To make a request, use the Contact page or the designated rights request path. We may ask for verification. Some requests may be limited, denied, delayed, or partially fulfilled where applicable law allows or requires exceptions.

21. Independent responsibility

Organizations and individuals using or displaying the Service remain fully responsible for their own products, services, materials, systems, practices, submissions, legal compliance, accessibility obligations, tax obligations, privacy obligations, safety decisions, and operational conduct.

22. Service provided as is

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Service is provided on an as is and as available basis.

We do not promise that the Service will be uninterrupted, error free, compatible with every device, always available in every region, suitable for any particular purpose, or free from defects, delays, outages, vulnerabilities, or data loss.

23. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ResearchWeather.com™, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, service providers, and licensors will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, revenue, savings, data, goodwill, business opportunity, or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to your access to, use of, inability to use, download of, submission to, membership in, billing for, or reliance on the Service.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are also not responsible for actions, changes, outputs, behavior, third party processing, service interruptions, device issues, local storage issues, software updates, research outcomes, payment processor actions, membership disputes, or results associated with a user, member, submitter, account holder, contributor, or third party service provider.

In any event, to the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for all claims relating to the Service will not exceed the greater of the amount you paid us for the Service in the twelve months before the event giving rise to the claim or US$100, except where prohibited by law.

Nothing in this Notice excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

24. The meaning of Guarantee

The term Guarantee, where used as part of any ResearchWeather.com™ or related branding, refers to the relevant reviewed standard, status, or review framework described by that feature or program. It does not mean an unconditional warranty of performance, outcomes, legality, safety, suitability, uninterrupted operation, or future conduct in every circumstance.

If a review based program, seal, or status indicates that a holder met applicable criteria at the time of review, responsibility for products, services, materials, systems, and practices remains with that holder. Conditions may change after review, and any related status, recognition, or eligibility may be updated, suspended, limited, or removed if standards are no longer met.

25. Changes to this Notice

We may update this Notice from time to time. Changes become effective when posted unless a different effective date is stated. Your continued use after an update indicates acceptance of the updated Notice to the extent permitted by law.

26. Contact

Use the Contact page or other designated support path for privacy requests, account deletion requests, accessibility requests, billing issues, membership support, research questions, legal notices, and general questions. Please include enough detail for us to understand your request. We may ask for verification where appropriate.

27. Open source and third party acknowledgments summary

This Service may use or depend on third party and open source components, including media, security, analytics, communications, or infrastructure libraries. Applicable copyright notices, attributions, and license texts will be provided where required.

If we distribute software that uses FFmpeg, the applicable notices, source availability information where required, and license disclosures will be provided in the relevant software notices or open source acknowledgments.

End of Notice.