Privacy and data deletion

Last updated September 20, 2026

Metro Detroit Scanner provides live public-safety radio, incident updates, and optional alerts through metrodetroitscanner.com and the Metro Detroit Scanner Android app. This page explains the information used to operate those services.

Request data deletion

Email zdksmith@yahoo.com with the subject "Metro Detroit Scanner data deletion request." Say what you want deleted and include the email address used for a contact message or enough detail to identify a problem report. Do not send passwords or sensitive records. We may ask for additional details to verify that the request concerns your own information.

We can delete matching contact messages and problem reports from the operator inbox and remove an alert subscription when we can identify its device token. You can also remove your alert subscription by turning off notifications in the app. Audience events are normally deleted after 90 days and inactive listening sessions after one day; without an account, we may not be able to reliably identify individual anonymous events. Limited records may remain in service-provider logs for their own retention periods or when legally required. A deletion request itself may be retained long enough to process and document the request.

Information we collect

When you use the site or app, the service receives your IP address, basic device or browser information, the page or service requested, and approximate location information supplied by our network provider. We use this to deliver the service, prevent abuse, troubleshoot problems, and measure visits and listening sessions. We do not request your device's precise GPS location or microphone access.

If you enable incident alerts, we store a device push token and the counties and categories you choose so we can send relevant notifications. You can disable alerts in the app; doing so removes its subscription from our service. If you contact us, we receive the name, email address, subject, and message you submit. A problem report may include your description, current page, player state, and basic device diagnostics.

How information is used and shared

Visitor and listening information is available only to the operator for service health and analytics. Contact messages and problem reports go to a private operator inbox and may trigger a private Discord alert. We use Cloudflare to deliver and protect the site and Google Firebase to deliver Android push notifications. The in-app weather radar loads a National Weather Service page, and news and roadway links open their source sites. Those providers may receive your IP address and have their own privacy practices. We do not sell personal information or use it for advertising.

Storage and choices

Audience event records are normally removed after 90 days, and inactive listening-session records after one day. Alert subscriptions remain until you disable alerts or the token is removed as invalid. Contact messages and problem reports remain in the private operator inbox until deleted. Service-provider logs may have separate retention periods. You can use the scanner without enabling alerts or sending a message.

You can also use the site contact form for privacy questions.