Privacy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 25, 2026

Is It Actually Open ("we", "us") is a small, free service that lets people share whether a shop or business is open right now. We try to collect as little data as possible. This page explains exactly what we do collect and why, in plain English.

What we collect

  • Anonymous device identifier. When you submit an open/closed report, we generate a random ID and store it in your browser's local storage. We use it only to prevent the same device from spamming the same place repeatedly. It is not a cookie, it is not shared with anyone, and clearing your browser data erases it.
  • Approximate location, only when you tap "Near me". We ask your browser for your coordinates so we can show nearby places. We use it for that request and do not store it on our servers.
  • Reports you submit. The status (open or closed), the optional short note, and the timestamp. These are public — that's the whole point of the service.
  • Email, only if you submit a "claim this business" form. We use it to reply to you. We do not add it to any marketing list.

What we do not collect

  • No accounts, no passwords.
  • No advertising or marketing trackers.
  • No cross-site tracking cookies.
  • No selling of any data, ever.

Third parties we rely on

  • Google Maps. We use Google Maps to search businesses and to show the small map on each place page. When a map loads, your browser communicates directly with Google, which is governed by Google's privacy policy.
  • Cloudflare. Our hosting and DNS provider. Cloudflare may log your IP address briefly to protect against abuse. We also use Cloudflare Web Analytics, which is privacy-first: it does not use cookies and does not fingerprint visitors.
  • Affiliate links. When a place is reported closed, we may show links to alternatives like Uber Eats, OpenTable, or TheFork. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These services have their own privacy policies once you click through.

Your rights (GDPR, CCPA, and similar)

You have the right to ask what data we hold about you, request a copy, or ask us to delete it. Because we don't run accounts, the easiest way to delete reports you've submitted is to clear your browser storage (which removes your anonymous device identifier), but you can also email us and we'll help. Contact: [email protected].

Children

This service is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect data from them.

Changes to this policy

If we change anything material, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For minor wording fixes we may not.