Privacy Policy

This policy explains what information the apps listed below (“the apps”) collect, why, and the choices you have. “We” and “us” mean the developer of each app, named on its store listing. The apps don’t all work the same way, so each section says which apps it applies to. This policy covers the apps only; the GulfCommute website has its own privacy policy.

The apps this policy covers

In short

• The apps have no accounts. We never ask for your name, phone number or email address.
• Where an app uses location, it stays on your device and is never used for ads.
• We do not sell your personal information.
• The information described below goes to Google and the other providers named. Our own file server only delivers content files.

Information the apps collect

Advertising (Google AdMob)

The apps show ads from Google AdMob. To show, measure and limit ads and to prevent fraud, AdMob collects your device’s advertising identifier (the Android Advertising ID, or the IDFA on iOS), your IP address (from which an approximate location is worked out), information about your device, and how you interact with ads.

GulfCommute limits ads to content suitable for general audiences.

Dhaka Bus Route limits ads to content suitable for general audiences with parental guidance.

Dubai Bus Route Finder limits ads to content suitable for general audiences.

Abu Dhabi Bus Routes limits ads to content suitable for general audiences.

GulfCommute, Dhaka Bus Route, Dubai Bus Route Finder and Abu Dhabi Bus Routes show Google’s consent message in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland when you first use them, and ads there are personalised only if you agree. You can change your choice at any time from the privacy choices in the app’s settings.

In the other apps, ads may be personalised using this information. You can limit this with the controls described under “Your choices”.

On iOS, Dhaka Bus Route, Dubai Bus Route Finder, Abu Dhabi Bus Routes and Riyadh Metro Route & Guide use the IDFA only if you allow tracking when the app asks. If you don’t, you still see ads, but they are not based on your activity in other companies’ apps and websites.

How Google uses this information: policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Usage analytics (Firebase Analytics)

Applies to: GulfCommute and Dhaka Bus Route

Firebase Analytics records how the app is used, such as which screens are opened and which features are used, with a random identifier for your installation of the app and device details such as the model, operating system version and approximate region. We use it to understand which features help people and to fix problems, not to identify you or to target ads.

In GulfCommute, analytics does not start until the consent message has been dealt with. In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, where the law asks for your agreement, it runs only if you agree, and it stops if you later withdraw. Elsewhere it runs once the message has been checked. You can change your choice from the menu, under Privacy choices, wherever that option is shown.

Crash reports (Firebase Crashlytics)

Applies to: GulfCommute and Dhaka Bus Route

If the app crashes, Firebase Crashlytics sends a report with technical details of the crash (what the app was doing, the device model and operating system version) and a random installation identifier. We use it only to fix bugs.

App settings from our server (Firebase Remote Config)

Applies to: Dhaka Bus Route

The app downloads settings from Firebase Remote Config, such as updated values it uses or how often ads may appear, so these can change without an app update. The request includes a random installation identifier.

Notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging)

Applies to: Dhaka Bus Route, Dubai Bus Route Finder and Abu Dhabi Bus Routes

If you allow notifications in Dhaka Bus Route, Dubai Bus Route Finder and Abu Dhabi Bus Routes, Firebase Cloud Messaging gives your device a push token so we can send you updates. In Dhaka Bus Route, news and tips are a separate setting that stays off unless you turn it on.

You can turn notifications off at any time in your device settings.

Location (optional)

Applies to: GulfCommute, Dhaka Bus Route, Dubai Bus Route Finder, Abu Dhabi Bus Routes, Sharjah Bus Routes and Riyadh Bus Route

If you allow it, the app reads your device’s location only while you are using it, to show nearby stops and, where the app has a map, your position on it. Your location is processed on your device. We do not send it to our servers, store it, or use it for advertising. The app works without location access, and you can turn it off at any time in your device settings.

Maps

Maps in GulfCommute, Dhaka Bus Route, Dubai Bus Route Finder and Abu Dhabi Bus Routes are provided by Google Maps. To load them, Google receives your IP address, device information and the map areas you view. See Google’s privacy policy.

Map images in Doha Transit: Bus Routes Guide and Doha Metro Route & Map Guide are loaded from OpenStreetMap tile servers, which receive your IP address and the map areas you view. See the OpenStreetMap Foundation privacy policy.

Purchases

Applies to: GulfCommute, Dubai Bus Route Finder and Abu Dhabi Bus Routes

The app offers a one-time purchase. Payments are handled entirely by Google Play or the App Store, and we never see your payment details. The app receives confirmation of what was bought so that it can unlock it and restore it on your other devices signed in to the same store account.

Reports you send us

Applies to: Dhaka Bus Route

The app’s report options open your own email app with a pre-filled message. Nothing is sent unless you send that email. If you do, we receive your email address and your message, use them only to fix the problem or reply to you, and delete them once the issue is dealt with.

Content downloads

Applies to: GulfCommute

Route, stop and article updates and article pictures in GulfCommute are downloaded from our file server, gulfcommute-app-content.web.app and gulfcommute.com. Like any web server, it receives your IP address and which files were requested. We use this only to deliver the files and do not use it to identify you.

Stored only on your device

• GulfCommute: Saved routes, stops and journeys, recent searches, and settings
• Dhaka Bus Route: Saved buses and trips, recent searches, and settings
• Dubai Bus Route Finder: Favourite routes and app settings
• Dubai Metro Guide: Favourite routes and app settings
• Abu Dhabi Bus Routes: Favourite routes and app settings
• Sharjah Bus Routes: Favourite routes and app settings
• Riyadh Bus Route: Favourite routes and app settings
• Riyadh Metro Route & Guide: App settings
• Kuwait Bus Route & Map: Favourite routes and app settings
• Doha Transit: Bus Routes Guide: Favourite routes and app settings
• Doha Metro Route & Map Guide: Favourite routes and app settings

This information never leaves your device and is deleted when you uninstall the app.

Your choices

• Change your ad consent at any time from the privacy choices in the app’s settings.
• Android: reset or delete your Advertising ID in your device settings (Settings, then Privacy or Google, then Ads).
• iOS: allow or stop tracking for an app in Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Tracking.
• Turn location access on or off for the app in your device settings.
• Turn notifications on or off in your device settings.
• Uninstall the app to delete everything it stored on your device.

Legal basis (EEA, UK and Switzerland)

Personalised ads are based on your consent, which you can withdraw at any time. Analytics, crash reports, settings downloads and push tokens are based on our legitimate interest in keeping the apps working and improving them. You can ask us for a copy of your data, or for it to be corrected or deleted, and you can complain to your data protection authority.

How long information is kept

Apart from emails you choose to send us, we do not keep a copy of your data on servers of our own, other than routine file-server logs. Firebase data is kept for the retention periods set in Google Firebase and then deleted. Information collected by AdMob is kept under Google’s retention policies. To ask us to delete data linked to your installation of an app, email us at the address below.

Children

The apps are intended for a general audience of commuters and travellers, aged 13 and over. They are not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

Security and international transfers

Information sent by the apps is encrypted in transit. Google and the other providers named above may process it in countries other than yours, under their own safeguards.

Changes to this policy

If we change what an app collects, we will update this page and its date before the change reaches the app. This version is effective from 31 October 2026.

Contact

Questions or requests about your privacy: [email protected]

Not official apps

The apps are independent. They are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government body or transport operator, including KPTC, CityBus, the RTA, Abu Dhabi Mobility, Mowasalat Sharjah, the Sharjah RTA, the RCRC, Mowasalat (Karwa), Qatar Rail, Qatar's Ministry of Transport, BRTA, DTCA, DMTCL, Riyadh Bus, Riyadh Metro and KGL. They use publicly available information that may contain errors.