Short version: Your LotW password and QSL data stay on your device and are only used to communicate with ARRL's Logbook of the World servers. Your callsign is synced with Firebase (Google) to keep your free trial and beta access consistent across reinstalls and devices. The app also uses Firebase Crashlytics (Google) for anonymous crash reporting — no other personally identifiable information is collected.
LotW Viewer is an Android application developed by YO8TNB – Cristian, an individual amateur radio operator based in Romania. Contact: yo8tnb@gmail.com.
The app requires the following information to function:
lotw.arrl.org).LotW Viewer does not share any personal data with third parties. The app makes the following external network connections:
lotw.arrl.org (operated by ARRL) using your credentials, identical to logging in through the official LotW website.lotw.arrl.org for LotW's public user-activity database, used by the "Check LotW Activity" (Find Call) feature. No personal data or credentials are sent with this request.Firebase Crashlytics (Google) — The app uses Firebase Crashlytics to automatically collect crash reports when the app crashes unexpectedly. Crash reports include device model, Android version, app version, and a technical stack trace. Firebase Crashlytics may use the Android Advertising ID (AD_ID) for the purpose of identifying unique app instances in crash statistics — this data is used solely for diagnostic purposes and is not used for advertising. No personal data, credentials, or QSL records are included. Data is processed by Google LLC under their Privacy Policy.
OpenStreetMap — The map screen uses OpenStreetMap tiles (rendered by osmdroid). When the map is visible, tile images are fetched from OpenStreetMap servers — no personal data is included in these requests.
Firebase Firestore (Google) — Used for three purposes: (1) on login, your callsign and the start date of your free trial are stored so your trial stays consistent across reinstalls and devices instead of resetting; (2) the app reads a small, non-personal list of beta tester callsigns maintained by the developer; (3) bug reports submitted voluntarily by the user via the in-app "Report a Bug" form, which include the text you enter and optionally your callsign and email address. Data is processed by Google LLC under their Privacy Policy.
No advertising SDKs are integrated. The only HTTP client library used is the standard OkHttp client.
The app includes a 30-day free trial that grants full access to all features. The trial start date is tied to your callsign via Firebase Firestore (see Section 6), so it stays consistent across reinstalls and devices instead of resetting. If the app cannot reach Firestore, it falls back to this installation's own clock until it can sync.
After the trial period ends, an optional one-time in-app purchase via Google Play Billing unlocks premium features and supports continued development. Multiple donation tiers are available. All payment processing is handled entirely by Google Play. The developer does not receive or store any payment card information. Google's privacy policy applies to all purchase transactions.
LotW Viewer is intended for licensed amateur radio operators and is not directed at children under 13. The app does not knowingly collect any information from children.
You can delete all locally stored data at any time:
If this privacy policy changes, the updated version will be published at this URL. The effective date at the top of the page will be updated accordingly. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the new policy.
For any privacy-related questions, please contact: