Legal

PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: July 11, 2026

CicadaTAK does not collect, transmit, or store any personal data on external servers. All data stays on your device and your local mesh network.

Overview

CicadaTAK is a tactical mesh communication system. The mobile app connects to a local CicadaTAK node over WiFi. All communication occurs directly between your device and the mesh network hardware you own and operate. No data is sent to CicadaTAK, its developers, or any third party.

Data That Stays on Your Mesh

The following data is generated and used exclusively within your local mesh network. It never leaves the mesh unless you choose to share it externally.

Location data: GPS coordinates are shared between nodes on your mesh to display team positions on the map. Location data is not transmitted to any external server.

Messages: Text messages and photos are sent between nodes on your mesh network. Messages are encrypted in transit and are not stored on or transmitted to any external server.

Voice audio: Push-to-talk voice is transmitted between mesh nodes in real time using the Opus codec. Audio is not recorded or stored on any external server.

Callsign and node name: Your chosen callsign is broadcast on the mesh so other team members can identify you. It is not sent to any external server.

Data We Collect

None. CicadaTAK has no analytics, no telemetry, no crash reporting, no advertising SDKs, and no user accounts. The app does not communicate with any server operated by CicadaTAK or its developers.

Third-Party Services

The CicadaTAK app does not integrate with any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services. Map tiles are cached locally on your device for offline use; no tile requests are made to external servers during normal mesh operation.

Data Storage

Chat history, cached map tiles, and app settings are stored locally on your device. You can delete this data at any time by uninstalling the app. Node configuration is stored on the Raspberry Pi hardware that you own and control.

Encryption

The mesh radio link is secured with WPA3-SAE. Application-layer messages are encrypted end-to-end using a team passphrase that you set during node setup. CicadaTAK developers have no access to your encryption keys.

Firmware Release Announcements (Optional Mailing List)

If you choose to join the firmware release list, we keep the email address you send us and use it for exactly one thing: announcing new CicadaTAK firmware releases. No tracking, no marketing, no sharing with anyone. Reply to any announcement (or email support@cicadatak.com) with "unsubscribe" and your address is deleted. This is the only personal data CicadaTAK ever holds, and it exists only because you voluntarily sent it.

Children's Privacy

CicadaTAK does not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children under 13. The app has no user accounts and collects no personal data.

Changes to This Policy

If this privacy policy changes, the updated version will be posted at this URL with a new "Last updated" date. Because CicadaTAK collects no data, changes are unlikely.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at privacy@cicadatak.com or visit the support page.